Rain

In the climate of ancient Palestine, rain was the defining factor of agricultural prosperity and survival. The land received nearly all its rainfall between October and April, with the critical early rain (yoreh or moreh) falling in autumn to soften the earth for plowing and seeding, and the latter rain (malqosh) falling in March–April to swell the grain before harvest. Summer was virtually rainless. The promise of rain in its season was thus a fundamental covenant blessing (Deuteronomy 11:14; Leviticus 26:4), while drought was a covenant curse (Deuteronomy 28:22–24).

Rain functioned as a powerful theological symbol throughout the Bible. Elijah's three-and-a-half years of drought and its dramatic end (1 Kings 17–18) demonstrated the LORD's sovereignty over Baal, the supposed rain-deity of Canaan. Hosea 6:3 compares the LORD's coming to the latter rain that waters the earth. James 5:7 uses the farmer waiting for the early and late rains as a metaphor for patient waiting for Christ's return. Jesus noted that God sends rain on the just and the unjust alike (Matthew 5:45) — rain as common grace.