The desert’s wind and pervasive sand gives the feeling of skin being scraped away. The cars, after prolonged exposure, seemed as though they were prepared for a spray booth session following sandblasting.

While we were all familiar with this, the OOSWEER, an Afrikaans word for an east wind, was something we all dreaded. A warm wind that blew in from the wilderness. No living thing, be it human, animal, or plant, was spared from the harsh wind. The wind’s intensity was reminiscent of a harsh judgment. The heat was intense, surpassing a simple feeling of being hot. It resembled the berg wind familiar in George, but intensified.

Reading about the Eastern wind and the plague of locusts in this week’s Torah portion (Ex 10:13) triggered all these memories.

The Bible uses “East” and “West” to symbolize concepts that are richer than simple geographical orientations. Symbolically, the east is associated with beginnings, the presence of God, and sometimes with divine justice or being cast out, such as in the cases of Eden and Babylon. The symbolism of the West often includes the Mediterranean Sea, representing a passage to the Promised Land, the tabernacle, and the cleansing of sin. Psalm 103:12 illustrates the removal of our sins by comparing it to the immeasurable distance between east and west. Yet, further east-west principles prompt us to explore further.

• Abraham moved from the East (Ur/Haran) to the West (Canaan), a journey of faith.
• Israelite exiles moved from the East (Babylon) back to the West (Jerusalem).
• Jesus’ return is described as lightning coming from the east to the west, signalling a swift, comprehensive arrival.

According to Scripture, the east wind represents divine judgment, destruction, and severe trials / testing. Hosea 13:15 states: “Though he bears fruit among his brothers, an east wind comes, a wind from the LORD comes up from the wilderness, and it dries up his fountain, and his spring becomes dry – it plunders a treasure of all desirable objects.”

Getting back to Exodus 10, lets recap the events during the 8^th plague.

• Despite knowing Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, Father dispatched Moses to him yet again.
• The request from Moses and Aaron to Pharaoh is for the release of Israel, enabling them to serve Him.
• Failure to meet their demands would result in locusts, they cautioned him.
• They left Pharaoh with His request and warning, not waiting for his response.
• He called them back and suggested allowing just the men to leave, as advised by his court.
• Moses was told by Father to raise his hand above Egypt to bring forth the locusts.
• Upon extending his rod, an east wind materialized, ushering in the locusts.
• Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron and admitted his transgression against the Almighty.
• He begged to be forgiven for this wrongdoing.
• Moses petitioned on Pharaoh’s behalf.
• The father responded to the prayer by sending a powerful western wind that drove the locusts into the Sea of Reeds.

When reading Exodus 10:19, my attention was more drawn to the Sea of Reeds than to the western wind. This chapter clearly illustrated the biblical pattern of judgment and correction, associating the East and cleansing of sin associated with the West. However, it raises a question: why weren’t the locusts blown back to their original location, and why were they specifically sent to the sea?

My immediate association was with Matthew 8:28, recalling the demons’ request to be transferred into a herd of swines, a plea Jesus granted, leading to their demise in the sea. But Exodus 14:21 became my central focus. This was a point of no return for Israel, caught between the Egyptian military and the unforgiving sea. The sea was divided by a mighty east wind, directed by God at Moses’s gesture, thus forming a dry passage for the Israelites to walk across.

While the “Eastern Wind” is known to signify judgment, it functioned here as a method of rescue for Israel, not as a tool of punishment. Nevertheless, a ruling was made against Egypt. After His people, Israel, have safely crossed the sea, the Almighty instructed Moses to extend his hand over the water once more. As the Egyptian army pursued them, they were trapped between two towering walls of water.

As Moses raised his hand in obedience, the wind from the east halted, and judgment was subsequently declared. The wind ceased, and the water surged back, engulfing the Egyptian army.

The judgment rendered upon Egypt bestowed freedom upon Israel.

Yet, my delve into the current Torah portion extended beyond this point. We were talking about the text and how Pharaoh, when in a desperate situation, bargained for forgiveness and then, after receiving relief, reverted to his old habits.

Many of us, if not all, have likely made a deal with God at some point in our lives to escape a tough spot or judgement.

Are any of these recognizable?

Should you rescue me from this predicament:

I will increase my quiet time

I will go to every church service

I will never drink a drop of alcohol again

I will not watch a movie again

Or more, the list is endless.

As Pharaoh did, once the difficulty subsides, we might gradually return to our former ways, failing to uphold our commitment. We ought to self-reflect because these unfulfilled promises serve as evidence of our shortcomings.

On our path to Pesach, we might find a spiritual camping area here for a brief moment to consider our true selves and His essence.

He is merciful and forgives our wrongdoings.

Let’s reawaken our awe for the one God, the Almighty Creator of the heavens and the earth.

Awe combines wonder with reverence. God is understood as infinitely distant, yet strangely close. It gently sways the heart without causing it to soften. Awe softens pride, deepens gratitude, and makes obedience feel like natural agreement rather than obligation.

Our awe of God leads us to listen with greater focus, move with more gentleness, and treat humanity and nature respectfully. The core of our decision-making process is asking, “What would honour God?” instead of, “What benefits me?”

Awe doesn’t diminish life. This enlarges it. It leads you to genuine peace.

 All to the glory of the Almighty!