Topical Encyclopedia In the biblical narrative, rain is often depicted as a divine blessing, a symbol of God's provision and faithfulness to His people. The promise of rain in due season is intricately linked to the covenant relationship between God and the Israelites, where obedience to God's commandments results in the assurance of His blessings, including the provision of rain.Covenantal Promise The promise of rain is explicitly stated in the covenantal blessings found in the Torah. In Deuteronomy 11:13-14 , God assures the Israelites: "So if you carefully obey the commandments I am giving you today, to love the LORD your God and to serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul, then I will provide rain for your land in season—the autumn and spring rains—that you may gather your grain, new wine, and oil." This passage underscores the conditional nature of the promise, where obedience to God's commandments is directly linked to the provision of rain. Agricultural Significance Rain in due season is crucial for the agrarian society of ancient Israel. The "autumn and spring rains" mentioned in the Scriptures refer to the early and latter rains essential for the agricultural cycle. The early rain, falling in the autumn, prepares the ground for sowing, while the latter rain, in the spring, is vital for the maturation of crops. The absence of these rains would lead to drought and famine, highlighting the dependence of the Israelites on God's provision. Prophetic Assurance The prophets also reiterate the promise of rain as a reward for obedience. In Jeremiah 5:24 , the prophet laments the people's failure to acknowledge God's provision: "They have not said in their hearts, ‘Let us fear the LORD our God, who gives the rains in season, both autumn and spring, who keeps for us the appointed weeks of harvest.’" This passage serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness and the people's responsibility to revere and obey Him. Consequences of Disobedience Conversely, the withholding of rain is depicted as a consequence of disobedience and idolatry. In Deuteronomy 11:16-17 , God warns: "But be careful, or you will be enticed to turn aside to worship and bow down to other gods. Then the anger of the LORD will be kindled against you, and He will shut the heavens so that there will be no rain, and the land will yield no produce, and you will quickly perish from the good land that the LORD is giving you." This warning emphasizes the seriousness of turning away from God and the direct impact it has on the land's fertility. Spiritual Implications Beyond the physical necessity, rain also holds spiritual significance. It symbolizes God's grace and the outpouring of His Spirit. In Joel 2:23 , the prophet encourages the people: "Be glad, O children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God, for He has given you the autumn rains for your vindication. He sends you showers, both autumn and spring rains, as before." This passage not only speaks to the physical blessing of rain but also points to a deeper spiritual renewal and restoration. New Testament Reflection While the New Testament does not focus extensively on the promise of rain, the principle of divine provision for the obedient remains. In Matthew 5:45 , Jesus teaches, "He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous." This reflects God's impartial grace and the broader understanding of His providence. In summary, the promise of rain in due season to the obedient is a recurring theme in the Bible, symbolizing God's faithfulness and the blessings that flow from a covenantal relationship with Him. The physical and spiritual dimensions of rain serve as a reminder of the importance of obedience and the assurance of God's provision. Torrey's Topical Textbook Leviticus 26:4Then I will give you rain in due season, and the land shall yield her increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit. Torrey's Topical Textbook Deuteronomy 11:14 Ezekiel 34:26,27 Library The Voice of Stern Rebuke Mason -- Messiah's Throne Prayer Perfumed with Praise Introduction Doctrine of the Rest of the Apostles. The Sluggard's Reproof Introduction to Oration ii. The Lord's Prayer Spiritual Culture. Humbly Inscribed to his Grace the Duke of Newcastle, one of his ... Resources What is Joel's Army? | GotQuestions.orgHad it ever rained before the Flood in Noah's day? | GotQuestions.org Who was Elijah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Rain: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Rain of Christ in the Communication of his Graces Rain of the Doctrine of Faithful Ministers Rain: (Destructive) of a Poor Man Oppressing the Poor Rain: (Destructive) of God's Judgments Rain: Answer to Prayer For, Promised Rain: Canaan Abundantly Supplied With Rain: Contingent Upon Obedience Rain: Designed For: Making Fruitful the Earth Rain: Designed For: Refreshing the Earth Rain: Designed For: Replenishing the Springs and Fountains of the Earth Rain: Divided Into: Overflowing Rain: Extraordinary: After Long Drought in Ahab's Reign Rain: Extraordinary: After the Captivity Rain: Extraordinary: During Wheat Harvest in the Days of Samuel Rain: Extraordinary: Plague of, Upon Egypt Rain: Extraordinary: Time of the Flood Rain: Forty Days of, at the Time of the Great Flood of Noah Rain: Frequently Withheld on Account of Iniquity Rain: God Causes, to Come Down Rain: God Exhibits Goodness in Giving Rain: God Exhibits Greatness in Giving Rain: God Sends Upon the Evil and Good Rain: God should be Feared on Account of Rain: God should be Praised For Rain: Impotence of Idols Exhibited in not Being Able to Give Rain: Miraculously Caused by Elijah Rain: Miraculously Caused by Samuel Rain: North Wind Unfavorable To Rain: Not Sent Upon the Earth Immediately After Creation Rain: Occasioned by the Condensing of the Clouds Rain: Often Impeded Travelling in the East Rain: Often Succeeded by Heat and Sunshine Rain: Promised in Due Season to the Obedient Rain: Rainy Season in Palestine is in the Ninth Month, Corresponding to December Rain: Storm and Tempest often With Rain: The Appearance of a Cloud from the West Indicated Rain: The Earth Will Never Again be Destroyed By Rain: The Former, After Harvest, to Prepare for Sowing Rain: The Lack of Causes the Earth to Open Rain: The Lack of Dries up Springs and Fountains Rain: The Lack of Occasions Famine Rain: The Lack of Removed by Prayer Rain: The Latter, Before Harvest Rain: The North Wind Drives Away Rain: The Plague of, Upon Egypt Rain: The Rainbow often Appears During Rain: Thunder and Lightning often With Rain: Withheld for Three Years and Six Months in the Days of Elijah Rain: Withheld, in Answer to Prayer Related Terms Thunder-flames (8 Occurrences) |
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