An Angel Rides in the Whirlwind: A Commentary

November 17, 2001 | Ironword

[Ironword]

“After the Declaration of Independence was signed, Virginia statesman John Page wrote to Thomas Jefferson: ``We know the race is not to the swift nor the battle to the strong. Do you not think an angel rides in the whirlwind and directs this storm?”

WHEN in his Inaugural Address President Bush spoke the poetic “angel rides in the whirlwind” phrase, drawn from a letter written to Thomas Jefferson by John Page following the signing of the Declaration of Independence, I thought it was a verse of scripture that I had somehow missed or forgotten. Indeed, though he spoke this phrase twice, I didn’t later bother to locate the text of the phrase in the Bible.

Upon seeing the phrase recently recalled again in a brief piece written by a well-known commentator, I broke out a concordance and began searching for either a direct or similar text in the Bible.

There is none that I can find.

Some who have previously commented on this phrase have claimed that Page’s inspiration was the manifestation of the Almighty (i.e., theophany) as He led the Israelites out from the land of Egypt. However, while it may have been Page’s inspiration (and that is not certain), it is not exegetically accurate, as the Almighty was present in the “pillar of cloud by day” and in the “pillar of fire by night” -- there was no whirlwind in the desert, neither a storm.

With two exceptions, “whirlwind” when appearing in scripture (i.e., the Old Testament, as the word never occurs in the New Testament) is associated with providential judgment, as in the following (Nahum I:2,3):

2 God is jealous and the LORD revengeth; the LORD revengeth and is furious; the LORD will take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth wrath for his enemies. 3 The LORD is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked: the LORD hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet.

The two exceptions to the use of “whirlwind” as a portent of judgment are when Elijah is carried up “into heaven by a whirlwind,” and when “the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind” following Job’s trials. Here, regarding the communication to Job, it is the Almighty directly speaking out from the whirlwind (i.e., another theophany), and not an angel (i.e., a divine messenger) sent to speak on His behalf.

Angels are occasionally the instruments of the Almighty’s judgments -- for example, the “destroying angel” or the various angels discussed in the Apocalypse (Book of Revelation).

What Page was likely trying to communicate to Jefferson was the perception of a providential hand guiding the events that ultimately led to the creation of the United States of America. With this perception I would completely agree, yet not with its expression in the context of an angel riding in a whirlwind and directing a storm, which connotes the execution of judgment.

Yet what was the president trying to communicate with this phrase? Probably, the thought that a providential hand had guided the contentious presidential election of 2000, along with an allusion to the contentious presidential election between Jefferson and John Adams. I would agree that a providential hand guided the election of 2000, for God is sovereign over the affairs of mankind, but would not agree that the potential unsettling of our typically routine transfer of power was a pouring out of gracious blessings from heaven upon a righteous nation.

It is a peculiar phrase, one of unknown origin that does not on its face suggest blessing; rather, a providentially directed whirlwind of judgment or chastisement.

What think ye?

[Ironword]

While there are plenty of references to angels and whirlwinds in the Bible, we could not find the exact phrase. Bartlett's quotations includes this reference from Joseph Addison in 1704, "And, please the Almighty's orders to perform, rides in the whirlwind and directs the storm."

Ha, Bartlett's, I should'a known!!! Many thanks.

I suppose this is the original from which Page drew; obviously, "please" refers to one "pleased" to perform the Almighty's orders, that is here an angel. Though where Addison drew inspiration for an angel that "rides in the whirlwind and directs the storm" is still a good question.

The phrase is eloquent, but as noted in the material you posted, it seemed incongruous in the Inaugural. It eloquently implies judgment or chastisement.

[Ironword]

The fog was so extraordinary, one of the British officers contemporaneously wrote of it as a providence effecting Washington's escape -- with the British fleet sitting just downriver, no less.

[Ironword]

And, yes indeed, let us all hope and pray that God will guide and lead our country and our President through this whirlwind of a time.

Yes indeed, bro'.

[IronJack]

Good for you. Your faith is an inspiration.

[Ironword]

At the time I just thought to myself that it was about time a Republican got a decent speech writer.

Ha -- Bush has given some excellent speeches: the address to Congress and that to the UN were remarkable. However, the phrase "angel rides in the whirlwind and directs this storm" strongly connotates judgment or chastisement in a lexicographical sense, with the Bible as lexicon. And the phrase is too close to biblical usage for it to be construed simply as poetry or high rhetoric.

[Pinetop]

As much as I like the insertion of the angel into the harshness of Hosea, I agree with you. The most likely reference is to Joseph Addison 1672-1719 verse "The Campaign" "And, pleas'd th' Almighty's orders to perform, Rides in the whirl-wind, and directs the storm". Pinetop often quotes Addison for "The woman who deliberates is lost."

[freeagle]

What a marvelous discussion. Thank you for introducing it!

[Pinetop]

Ironwood, we came to the same conclusion. We agree. Addison's the man.

[Ironword]

Thanks . . . is "The Campaign" the title of the poem? Obviously, this is from where Page drew his reference, and I wonder what inspired Addison to include the angel?

[AZ Repub]

"However, the phrase "angel rides in the whirlwind and directs this storm" strongly connotates judgment or chastisement in a lexicographical sense, with the Bible as lexicon."

Enlighten me. How does this phrase connote judgement or chastisement? I agree that the phrase has meaning in a lexicographical sense, with the Bible as lexicon, but I think it communicates more of a reference to The Devine Being in charge of our mortal storm by way of the angel that rides the whirlwind and lends direction.

[Pinetop]

Yes, the title of the poem is "The Campaign." It's about the once great Marlbro.

Not to be a recidivist, but is it possible that Addison was making an allusion to Hosea?

[Ironword]

I think the weight-bearing words are "whirlwind" and "storm." Angels can be seen in the Bible to be sent for assistance, announcement, or execution of judgment. Thus it is "whirlwind" and "storm" that qualify the purpose of the angel here. Aside from usage as a natural weather event, "storm" in the Bible is frequently an allegory for adversity. "Whirlwind," as previously noted, almost always connotates judgment. Thus, in a biblical sense, interpretation of the phrase weighs heavily toward judgment.

[Ironword]

Thanks!

[Ironword]

Not to be a recidivist, but is it possible that Addison was making an allusion to Hosea?

I think it very possible, as I don't know of any other place where "whirlwind" and "storm" occur together in the Bible. But then, that would define the phrase "angel in the whirlwind directing this storm" as one specifically describing judgment.

[AZ Repub]

"Whirlwind," as previously noted, almost always connotates judgment.

Gracias. I'm obviously not a student of the Bible. Thank's for the discussion.

[Leroy S. Mort]

Some who have previously commented on this phrase have claimed that Page’s inspiration was the manifestation of the Almighty.....

The source is not biblical. Page paraphrased the British poet Joseph Addison, who wrote "The Campaign" in 1705 to celebrate Marlborough's victory at Blenheim:

"And, please the Almighty's orders to perform, rides in the whirlwind and directs the storm." Line 291.

[Ironword]

Many thanks . . . I knew there'd be folks on FR who would know the original source.

BTW, I apologize to you and all for any intemperate comments on the old Hitchens posts -- I only intended to poke ol' HK.

[Pinetop]

What a wonderfully macabre nom du plum!!
What you might be able to help Ironwood and me with is whether Addison was making an allusion to Hosea's "...reap the whirlwind."
Any English lit/Biblical scholar Freeples?

[Leroy S. Mort]

BTW, I apologize to you and all for any intemperate comments on the old Hitchens posts -- I only intended to poke ol' HK.

Don't recall 'em. After all, "intemperate" and "Chris Hitchins" are kind of synonymous. I'm not a fan.

[Leroy S. Mort]

The Addison quote in context follows:

Amidst confusion, horror, and despair,
Examin'd all the dreadful scenes of war:
In peaceful thought the field of death survey'd,
To fainting squadrons sent the timely aid,
Inspir'd repuls'd battalions to engage,
And taught the doubtful battle where to rage.
So when an angel by divine command
With rising tempests shaks a guilty land,
Such as of late o'er pale Britannia past,
Calm and serene he drives the furious blast;
And, pleas'd th' Almighty's orders to perform,
Rides in the whirlwind, and directs the storm.

But see the haughty houshold troops advance!
The dread of Europe, and the pride of France.
The war's whole art each private soldier knows,
And with a General's love of conquest glows;
Proudly he marches on, and void of fear
Laughs at the shaking of the British spear
etc. etc.

Joseph Addison The Campaign