Topical Bible: Fruits: Require: Rain from Heaven

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In the biblical context, fruits are often seen as a symbol of God's provision and blessing. The requirement of rain from heaven for the growth of fruits is a recurring theme in Scripture, emphasizing the dependence of humanity on God's providence for sustenance and prosperity.

Divine Provision and Dependence

The Bible frequently highlights the necessity of rain for the production of fruits, illustrating the dependence of the land and its people on divine provision. In Deuteronomy 11:13-14 , God promises the Israelites that if they faithfully obey His commandments, He will provide rain for their land in its season, both the early and late rains, so that they may gather in their grain, new wine, and oil. This passage underscores the connection between obedience to God and the receipt of His blessings, including the essential rains for fruitful harvests.

Covenantal Blessings and Curses

The requirement of rain is also tied to the covenantal relationship between God and His people. In Leviticus 26:3-4 , God assures the Israelites that if they walk in His statutes and keep His commandments, He will give them rains in their season, and the land will yield its produce, and the trees of the field will bear their fruit. Conversely, the absence of rain is depicted as a form of divine judgment. In Deuteronomy 28:23-24 , as part of the curses for disobedience, the heavens over the land are described as bronze, and the earth beneath as iron, with the Lord turning the rain of the land into dust and powder.

Prophetic Imagery and Restoration

Prophets often use the imagery of rain and fruitful harvests to convey messages of hope and restoration. Joel 2:23-24 speaks of the Lord's promise to send the early and latter rains, resulting in threshing floors full of grain and vats overflowing with new wine and oil. This prophetic vision not only points to physical restoration but also symbolizes spiritual renewal and blessing.

Spiritual Lessons and Metaphors

The dependence on rain for fruitfulness serves as a metaphor for spiritual truths. In James 5:7-8 , believers are encouraged to be patient like the farmer who waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it until it receives the early and late rains. This analogy teaches the importance of patience and trust in God's timing and provision.

Conclusion

Throughout Scripture, the requirement of rain from heaven for the growth of fruits is a powerful reminder of humanity's reliance on God's grace and provision. It serves as a symbol of the blessings that come from obedience and the consequences of turning away from God's commandments. The imagery of rain and fruitfulness also offers hope for restoration and spiritual renewal, pointing to the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 104:13
He waters the hills from his chambers: the earth is satisfied with the fruit of your works.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

James 5:18
And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Fruits of the Spirit.
... the words of Him Who said: By their fruits ye shall ... and what was that""What doth
the Lord require of thee ... on the evil and on the good, and His rain to fall on ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/westminster sermons/sermon vi the fruits of.htm

Paul and Barnabas in Lystra.
... The juggling tricks of heathenism and popery require only a ... The rain penetrating
the soil, cherishes the seeds ... to their nature, present their fruits to man, as ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xv paul and barnabas.htm

The Noachic Covenant
... however beautiful may be its flowers, and its fruits, and its ... that it is HE alone
who sends the rain and thunder ... hand of every man's brother will I require it. ...
/.../kingsley/twenty-five village sermons/sermon xi the noachic covenant.htm

The Revelation of Peter. Introduction.
... and later apocalyptic writings which seemed to require some such ... by winds, or ever
wet with rain, nor doth ... shade of frankincense trees, and of fruits of gold. ...
/.../unknown/the apocalypse of peter/the revelation of peter introduction.htm

Psalm 78
... 27Then flesh as thick as dust he made. to rain down them among; ... which they did so
require,. ... 46He to the caterpillar gave. the fruits of all their soil; ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/scottish psalter and paraphrases/psalm 78.htm

1 Timothy ii. 4-Jan
... His sun to rise, His rain to descend, gives the fruits of the ... Canst thou not send
rain? ... process that we recommend to you: it does not require the spoiling of ...
/.../homily vi 1 timothy ii.htm

Purposes of God.
... the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the ... be entreated, full of mercy and
good fruits, without partiality ... Suppose I require my son to do a certain thing ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xlvi purposes of god.htm

The Church of Christ
... sow your seeds; but what can you do without the rain? ... There are fruits, you know,
that are best in their season ... their season, but we do not always require them. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/the church of christ.htm

Naasseni Ascribe their System, through Mariamne, to James the ...
... nourished, (the Naassene) says, and that grow, require soul ... sinners on whom the same
sends the rain, this likewise ... and crowned with all its own fruits of things ...
/.../the refutation of all heresies/chapter ii naasseni ascribe their system.htm

Translation from the Greek.
... what is good, or what does the Lord require of thee ... rain not fallen, there would
have been neither fruits nor thorns ... by God are, as it were, the rain; while the ...
/.../origen/origen de principiis/translation from the greek.htm