a whirlwind was coming out of the north, a great cloud with raging fire engulfing itself; and brightness was all around it and radiating out of its midst like the color of amber, out of the midst of the fire. (Ezek. 1:4) Notice what it is that is coming out of the north: “a whirlwind.” The whirlwind is a primary epiphany of God. This term is often used in conjunction with God’s presence and especially his presence in judgment, as in these words of Jeremiah: “Behold, a whirlwind of the LORD has gone