Topical Bible: Water: Drops from the Clouds in Rain

◄ Water: Drops from the Clouds in Rain ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

Introduction

Water, as a fundamental element of life, is frequently mentioned throughout the Bible. It is often depicted as a symbol of God's provision, blessing, and sustenance. Rain, specifically, is portrayed as a divine gift, a manifestation of God's grace and care for His creation. The Bible provides numerous references to rain, illustrating its significance in both physical and spiritual contexts.

Biblical References

1. Creation and Sustenance: In the creation narrative, water is a foundational element. Genesis 2:5-6 describes the initial state of the earth: "Now no shrub of the field had yet appeared on the earth, nor had any plant of the field sprouted, for the LORD God had not yet sent rain upon the earth, and there was no man to cultivate the ground. But springs welled up from the earth and watered the whole surface of the ground." This passage highlights the necessity of water for life and growth.

2. Divine Provision: Rain is often depicted as a direct provision from God. 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 promise underscores rain as a blessing contingent upon obedience to God's commandments.

3. Judgment and Mercy: Rain can also be a tool of judgment or mercy. In the account of Elijah, 1 Kings 17:1 records, "Now Elijah the Tishbite, from Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, 'As surely as the LORD, the God of Israel, lives, before whom I stand, there will be neither dew nor rain in the next few years except at my word.'" This drought was a judgment upon Israel for their idolatry. Conversely, in 1 Kings 18:41-45, God mercifully ends the drought after the people turn back to Him.

4. Spiritual Symbolism: Rain is also used metaphorically to describe spiritual truths. Isaiah 55:10-11 states, "For just as rain and snow fall from heaven and do not return without watering the earth, making it bud and sprout, and providing seed to sow and food to eat, so My word that proceeds from My mouth will not return to Me empty, but it will accomplish what I please, and it will prosper where I send it." Here, rain symbolizes the effectiveness and life-giving power of God's word.

5. Prayer and Faith: The Bible encourages believers to pray for rain as an act of faith. James 5:17-18 recounts, "Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth yielded its crops." This passage emphasizes the power of prayer and faith in God's provision.

Theological Implications

Rain, as a divine provision, reflects God's sovereignty and care over creation. It serves as a reminder of humanity's dependence on God for sustenance and life. The withholding or granting of rain in the biblical narrative often correlates with the spiritual state of God's people, illustrating the connection between obedience to God and His blessings. Rain also serves as a metaphor for spiritual nourishment, emphasizing the transformative power of God's word and presence in the lives of believers.

Conclusion

The biblical portrayal of rain as "drops from the clouds" is rich with meaning, encompassing themes of provision, judgment, mercy, and spiritual truth. It serves as a powerful reminder of God's active role in the world and His desire to bless and sustain His creation.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Deuteronomy 11:11
But the land, where you go to possess it, is a land of hills and valleys, and drinks water of the rain of heaven:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Samuel 21:10
And Rizpah the daughter of Aiah took sackcloth, and spread it for her on the rock, from the beginning of harvest until water dropped on them out of heaven, and suffered neither the birds of the air to rest on them by day, nor the beasts of the field by night.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

On the Words, Maker of Heaven and Earth, and of all Things visible ...
... vapour when it returns to the state of water." p. 89: "Clouds produce rain ... the
precipitation is collected in larger portions, and becomes drops, these descend ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/lecture ix on the words.htm

The Choice of Gideon was a Figure of Our Lord's Incarnation, The
... of prophecy, saying: "I will command My clouds that they ... like rain upon a fleece,
and like drops that drop ... this rain upon the whole earth, to water the world ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/the choice of gideon was.htm

Egypt and Greece.
... The falling of drops of water out of clouds in the sky was an occurrence so strange,
so unaccountable, that the whole population regarded it with ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/xerxes/chapter ii egypt and greece.htm

St. Ambrose Returns to the Story of the Widow of Sarepta...
... shall come down like rain upon a fleece, and like the drops that water the earth ...
to grow dry and parched in their own unbelief, when the clouds of prophecy ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter iii st ambrose returns.htm

On the Firmament.
... and light clouds; then mingling again, it forms drops which fall, dragged down by
their own weight; and this is the origin of rain. When water beaten by the ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/homily iii on the firmament.htm

The Church of Christ
... pebble is perceptible over the entire bosom of the water. ... It does not say, "I will
send them drops," but "I ... Is it a season of great heaviness and black clouds? ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/the church of christ.htm

Striking Similes
... I saw his senses swim dizzy as clouds. I wander'd lonely as a cloud. ... It cuts like
knives, this air so chill. It drops away like water from a smooth statue. ...
/.../kleiser/fifteen thousand useful phrases/section viii striking similes.htm

The Waterer Watered
... empty themselves upon the earth, and yet the clouds cease not ... and the little leaves
sucked up their drops, till the ... will come to all of us when we want water. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/the waterer watered.htm

Elijah's Appeal to the Undecided
... Like empty clouds they are driven hither and thither by the wind; like ... my grandfather
took little children in their arms, and put drops of water on their ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/elijahs appeal to the undecided.htm

Blessed are they that Mourn
... It must come as water out of a spring, not as fire ... for sin must be like the myrrh
which drops from the ... When the clouds of sorrow have overcast the soul, some ...
/.../the beatitudes an exposition of matthew 51-12/6 blessed are they that.htm