The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where...

[providence]

"The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.†(John 3:8, ESV)

"The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit." (John 3:8, KJV)

Expound upon this.

 

[farouk]

Re: The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where

"The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” (John 3:8, ESV)

"The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit." (John 3:8, KJV)

Expound upon this.

My paraphrase:

Evangelists cannot just expect to bring about the new birth in their hearers' lives, like turning on a faucet, or by doing five or so supposedly foolproof 'sales' techniques. In preaching the Word about Christ, they must do so prayerfully in dependence on the Spirit of God to work in their hearers. They may see outward manifestations in their hearers, such as apparent conviction, and joy, but they cannot see the heart, and it is God Himself Who must accomplish the work of the new birth if the result is to be lasting.

 

[Free Christian]

Re: The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where

I understand it as the Holy Spirit of God acts freely upon people, how and when He pleases. That it is a reference to how the Holy Spirit works in regeneration, our lives.

 

[Maedchen]

Re: The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where

It refers to Proverbs 16:9.

God directs our steps. We do not really know where we come from, and we do not know where God is leading us.
But we can be certain of his loving providence.