Topical Bible: The Harvest: Former and Latter Rain Necessary to Abundance of

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Topical Encyclopedia

In biblical times, the concept of the harvest was deeply intertwined with the agricultural cycles of the ancient Near East, particularly in Israel. The success of these harvests was largely dependent on the timely arrival of the former and latter rains, which were essential for the growth and maturation of crops. This agricultural reality is frequently used in Scripture as a metaphor for spiritual truths and divine blessings.

Former and Latter Rain in Scripture

The "former rain" refers to the autumn rains that typically began in late October or early November, marking the start of the planting season. These rains softened the ground, allowing for the plowing and sowing of seeds. The "latter rain" occurred in the spring, around March or April, and was crucial for the maturation of the crops before the harvest. The Bible often mentions these rains as a sign of God's provision and faithfulness.

In Deuteronomy 11:14, God promises the Israelites, "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 verse highlights the dependence of the people on God's timing and provision for a successful harvest.

Spiritual Significance

The former and latter rains are not only significant for physical sustenance but also carry profound spiritual symbolism. They represent the outpouring of God's blessings and the work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers. The prophet Joel speaks of a time when God will pour out His Spirit, using the imagery of rain: "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 abundant showers, both autumn and spring rains, as before" (Joel 2:23).

This passage is often interpreted as a prophecy of the coming of the Holy Spirit, fulfilled at Pentecost, and a promise of spiritual renewal and revival. The rains symbolize the refreshing and empowering presence of God, necessary for spiritual growth and fruitfulness.

Dependence on Divine Timing

The dependence on the former and latter rains underscores the broader biblical theme of reliance on God's timing and provision. James 5:7-8 encourages believers to be patient and steadfast, drawing a parallel between the patience of a farmer waiting for the precious fruit of the earth and the anticipation of the Lord's coming: "Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient for it until it receives the early and late rains."

This passage reminds Christians of the importance of trusting in God's perfect timing, both in the natural and spiritual realms. Just as the farmer cannot control the rains but must wait in faith, believers are called to trust in God's promises and His sovereign plan.

Conclusion

The former and latter rains are a vivid reminder of the necessity of divine provision for both physical and spiritual abundance. They illustrate the faithfulness of God in meeting the needs of His people and serve as a metaphor for the work of the Holy Spirit in bringing about spiritual growth and maturity. Through these rains, the Bible teaches the importance of reliance on God's timing and the assurance of His blessings for those who trust in Him.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Jeremiah 5:24
Neither say they in their heart, Let us now fear the LORD our God, that gives rain, both the former and the latter, in his season: he reserves to us the appointed weeks of the harvest.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Amos 4:7
And also I have withheld the rain from you, when there were yet three months to the harvest: and I caused it to rain on one city, and caused it not to rain on another city: one piece was rained on, and the piece whereupon it rained not withered.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The First Year --Society and Climate.
... to have a great official advantage over the latter; but forty ... so much used by farmers
in former days, with ... Within three months the harvest of the rainy season ...
/.../chapter vi the first yearsociety.htm

New Teaching in Parables' - the Parables to the People by the Lake ...
... In the latter case, a sack with holes was filled ... that portion of the field, which
the former Parable had ... forth [2841] the sickle, because the harvest is come ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xxiii new teaching in.htm

The Cry for Bread
... halves make one whole; and as the former begins with ... greatness in the heavens, so
the latter part, starting ... There would be no harvest, no growth, unless to ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/the cry for bread.htm

Selections from the Work against Heresies by Irenaeus, Bishop of ...
... [1054] The former was seduced to disobey God [1055] [and so fell], but the latter
was persuaded ... or perhaps more generally, do not gather the harvest with the ...
/.../richardson/early christian fathers/selections from the work against 2.htm

The First Stages. Ch. 9:51 to 13:21
... must earnestly pray the Lord of the harvest to send ... Some readers interpret the former
parable as indicating the ... at times assumes, and the latter the false ...
/.../erdman/the gospel of luke an exposition/a the first stages ch.htm

Letter Xciii. (AD 408. )
... the former impelled by lust, the latter under the ... of which the obscure meaning of
the former may be ... the gathering of the tares before the harvest,"and for ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/letter xciii a d 408.htm

Sermons on Selected Lessons of the Gospels.
... so heavenly, [1118]488; must prepare heart for latter, as stomach for former,
[1119]488 ... Harvest, two kinds of, one among Jews, the other amongst Gentiles ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of.htm

CHAP. I. -II. 3 (II. 1).
... now sow the small seed of Israel, and an infinitely rich harvest shall be ... But the
latter reference is altogether arbitrary; and the former could be ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/chap i -ii 3 ii 1.htm

Introduction to Oration ii.
... we are aware; and will reap a harvest of pain ... are confused and thrown into disorder
by the latter. ... a twofold task, the erasure of the former impressions and ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/introduction to oration ii.htm

The Holy City; Or, the New Jerusalem:
... return again he would give them both their former light of ... glorious state of the
church in the latter days; some ... for lo, the winter is past the rain is over ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the holy city or the.htm