Topical Bible: Rain: Often Destroyed Houses

◄ Rain: Often Destroyed Houses ►

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In biblical times, rain was both a blessing and a potential source of destruction. While it was essential for agriculture and sustaining life, excessive rain could lead to devastating floods and the destruction of homes. The Bible contains several references to the destructive power of rain, often as a metaphor for divine judgment or as a literal event that tested the strength and foundation of structures.

One of the most vivid illustrations of rain's destructive potential is found in the teachings of Jesus. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus uses the imagery of rain to emphasize the importance of a strong foundation in one's life. He states, "The rain fell, the torrents raged, and the winds blew and beat against that house, yet it did not fall, because its foundation was on the rock" (Matthew 7:25). Conversely, a house built on sand could not withstand the same conditions: "The rain fell, the torrents raged, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell—and great was its collapse!" (Matthew 7:27). This parable underscores the necessity of building one's life on the solid foundation of Christ's teachings to withstand life's trials.

The destructive power of rain is also evident in the account of Noah's flood. In Genesis, God uses rain as a means of judgment upon a sinful world. "For forty days the floodwaters prevailed on the earth, and the waters increased and lifted the ark high above the earth" (Genesis 7:17). The floodwaters, driven by relentless rain, destroyed all living things outside the ark, demonstrating the severity of divine judgment and the importance of obedience to God's commands.

In the prophetic literature, rain is sometimes depicted as a tool of God's wrath. The prophet Ezekiel, for instance, speaks of a "torrential rain" as part of God's judgment against false prophets: "I will pour out torrents of rain in My anger, and great hailstones and fire will fall with fury" (Ezekiel 13:13). This imagery serves as a warning against deceit and the consequences of leading others astray.

The destructive potential of rain is not limited to physical structures but extends to spiritual and moral dimensions. The Bible often uses rain as a metaphor for trials and tribulations that test the integrity of one's faith and character. The wise person, according to Scripture, prepares for such challenges by grounding their life in the truth of God's Word.

In summary, while rain is a vital and life-sustaining element, the Bible frequently highlights its capacity to destroy, particularly when it comes as a form of divine judgment or when it tests the foundations of one's life. The biblical narrative encourages believers to build their lives on the solid foundation of faith in God, ensuring that they can withstand the storms of life, both literal and metaphorical.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ezekiel 13:13-15
Therefore thus said the Lord GOD; I will even rend it with a stormy wind in my fury; and there shall be an overflowing shower in my anger, and great hailstones in my fury to consume it.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Matthew 7:27
And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat on that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

With the Rev. William Burns
... for with true spiritual insight he often pointed out ... left by a fire, which had
completely destroyed many houses ... my great surprise I heard the rain pouring down ...
//christianbookshelf.org/taylor/a retrospect/chapter xi with the rev.htm

The Assyrian Captivity
... he knoweth not." [The prophet Hosea often referred to ... "O Israel," He declared, "thou
hast destroyed thyself; but ... rain, as the latter and former rain unto the ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 23 the assyrian captivity.htm

The Story of Noah and the Ark
... After forty days the rain stopped, but the water stayed ... the rest of the people on
the earth were destroyed. ... So as often as we see the beautiful rainbow, we are ...
/.../marshall/the wonder book of bible stories/the story of noah and.htm

A God-Given Field (1894-1900)
... it was as if he were asking for rain from a ... Changte Church, my own weak faith was
often rebuked when I ... worship the locust god, or his grain would be destroyed. ...
/.../goforth/how i know god answers prayer/iv a god-given field 1894-1900.htm

1 Timothy v. 15-Nov
... a symbol of hell, in that rain of all ... the resurrection, or rather before the
resurrection destroyed by the ... Nay often in their most flourishing state and period ...
/.../homily xv 1 timothy v.htm

The Tangled Web
... warfare, and slaughtered, set fire to engines, destroyed banks and ... the walls kept
up an unceasing rain of enormous ... which are sent unto thee, how often would I ...
/.../miller/the city of delight/chapter xvii the tangled web.htm

Paracelsus {13}
... summoned spirits, interpreted dreams, healed and destroyed; and by ... a good thing"witty
and weighty, though often not a ... man who walks out in the rain is not ...
/.../kingsley/historical lectures and essays/paracelsus 13.htm

Providential Guidance
... an unceiled Chinese house may keep off the rain"if it ... My faith was not untried; it
often, often failed, and I ... who would in their turn be destroyed; "and thus ...
/.../taylor/a retrospect/chapter xiv providential guidance.htm

Human Responsibility
... I have often been rebuked by certain men who have erred ... sin." The traveler is left
in the rain without his ... You have destroyed your own souls with your eyes open ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/human responsibility.htm

Reform
... the axe and the hammer until we have destroyed it ... like a man going through a shower
of rain; he will ... believe there are Christian men who are often tempted into ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/reform.htm