WORD OF THE WEEK = "Ruach": The Untamed Ruach: Feeling God's Raw Power
- Thad DeBuhr
- Jul 2
- 6 min read
Think about wind for a minute. You can't see it, right? But you sure as heck feel it when it blows through. It can be a gentle breeze on a hot day, or it can rip the roof off a barn. Ancient folks knew this power well. They relied on wind for sailing ships, for drying crops, even for winnowing grain (tossing it in the air so the wind carries away the chaff). So, when they used Ruach for "wind," they weren't just talking about a little puff. They were talking about an invisible force that can move mountains, change directions, and get stuff done. That helps us get why God's Ruach is unseen, but so incredibly powerful and active in the world. He's not just a whisper; He's the force that shapes creation. Get ready to feel the raw power of God's Spirit!
Welcome to YourJesusJourney.com, or as our friends call us, YJJ! Ever feel like you’re just breezing through your Bible reading, hoping some divine wind will blow understanding into your sails? We’re talking about real spiritual wind here, not the kind that clears a room after a bean burrito. Well, you’ve come to the right place!
Setting the Scene: The Untamed Ruach
Today, we're digging into a single, powerhouse Hebrew word: Ruach. This word pops up nearly 400 times in the Old Testament and shows us just how deep the Bible's language can get. Think of it like a Swiss Army knife of words—it means "wind," "breath," or "spirit," changing its meaning depending on the situation, much like a gentle breeze can suddenly turn into a full-blown storm. Guys like N.T. Wright say that understanding these core Hebrew words is key to getting the Bible's full punch.
Right from the start, in Genesis 1:2, we see Ruach in action: "The Spirit of God [Ruach Elohim] was hovering over the waters." Here, it's not just some force; it's right there, getting things done, bringing order out of chaos. Craig S. Keener points out how this shows God wasn't just sitting back; He was in the thick of it, creating the world.
This idea of Ruach as a life-giver keeps showing up. It's the "breath of life" God gives to every living thing (Genesis 6:17), and the "wind" God sends to dry up the floodwaters (Genesis 8:1). Brad Gray often notes that this flexible meaning shows us God is many things at once—He's the unseen power and the very spark of life.
More on this word of the week
Life in Every Breath: For us, breathing is just something we do.
We don't think about it much until we can't. But in the ancient world, the connection between "breath" and "life" was direct and immediate. You stop breathing, you're dead. It was that simple. So, when the Bible says God's Ruach is the "breath of life," it's not some poetic idea; it's a profound statement about where life really comes from. Every single gulp of air, every beating heart, every living creature owes its very existence to God literally breathing life into it. It puts a whole new spin on just taking a deep breath, doesn't it? It's a constant, personal gift from God.
When the Old Testament talks about the "Spirit of the Lord" or "Spirit of God," it's usually Ruach Yahweh or Ruach Elohim, pointing to God's own powerful Spirit. But Ruach isn't just for God. It also refers to our human spirit—our inner self, our feelings, how we act. Think of a "broken spirit" or a "haughty spirit." That's ruach describing what's inside us. And even then, there's a clear link to God. As Numbers 27:16 says, "God . . . gives breath [ruach] to all living things." Job gets it too: "As long as I have life within me, the breath [ruach] of God in my nostrils" (Job 27:3). Elihu confirms it: "The Spirit of God has made me; the breath of the Almighty gives me life" (Job 33:4). These verses hit home a big truth: every living ruach gets its start from God's Ruach.
The story of Ruach gets even bigger in Isaiah 11:2, where God promises the Messiah would be powered by the Holy Spirit. This promise came true with Jesus. At His baptism, John saw "the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him" (Matthew 3:16). So, the same creative, life-giving Ruach that was over the water when the world began, now comes down on the Messiah, giving Him the power to do His saving work.
There's more to this WORD OF THE WEEK STUDY GUIDE
BE SURE TO SCROLL DOWN FURTHER FOR:
Questions to chew on and discuss (or for your journal)
A Journey Group Discussion Starter (use in your small group time)
Modern Day Application Ideas
Want to watch the video version of the Daily Bible Podcast Episode that corresponds to this study guide? Here you go!
Questions for You to Chew On and Discuss
How does knowing that Ruach means "wind," "breath," and "spirit" make you think differently about God being present in the world and in your own life?
If every living thing gets its spark from God’s Ruach, what does that mean for how we should treat ourselves and other people?
Since the Ruach gave the Messiah His power, how does the Holy Spirit give us power today as followers of Jesus?
Journey Group Discussion Starter
Share a time when you felt God's "wind" or "breath" moving in your life, maybe making things clearer, comforting you, or really hitting you with something important.
Want to learn more about our Journey Groups (Small Groups online or in person)
Modern-Day Application: Go from "reading Revelation" to applying the lessons and principles:
For us, everyday Christians, understanding Ruach is super practical.
First off, it reminds us that just being alive is a gift from God. The air we breathe, the life in our veins – it all points back to His creative Ruach. That should make us really thankful and humble.
Second, the Ruach isn't just some old-school power; it's God's Spirit living inside believers right now. Just like the Ruach powered up Jesus, it powers us to serve, to get what the Bible means, and to live a life that makes God proud. We need to pay attention to the "wind" of the Spirit, listen for His guidance, and let Him work through us. This means spending time praying, reading God's Word, and hanging out with other Christians. That way, the Spirit can shape our inner ruach – our attitudes, our moods, our very core.
When our own ruach lines up with God’s Ruach, that's when we truly live and find our purpose.
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