Rain is a very important topic in the Bible. It reveals some great truth about God and how we relate to God as people. So what is the spiritual meaning of rain in the Bible?
Here are some things that rain symbolizes in the Bible, and some ways to apply the topic of rain to our lives.
There are Various Meanings for Rain in the Bible
To start off, I must acknowledge that there is no one meaning for rain in the Bible. There is not one spiritual meaning of rain, instead there are various stories that incorporate rain through the Bible.
Therefore, the Biblical meaning of rain depends on the context of the story. Each story with rain communicates something different. They each contain a lesson or characteristic that we can apply to our lives.
1. Rain is a Symbol of God’s Judgment
The first thing that rain symbolizes in the Bible is God’s judgment. There are a few stories that reference rain and have the main lesson that God’s judgment is just. One of those stories is the story of Noah and that Ark.
Noah Experienced the First Rain
The story of Noah contains the first appearance of rain in the Bible. It tells the story of a world that has fallen into disunity with God, because people are corrupt.
The world has been overrun with wickedness. Everyone in the story is wicked, except Noah.
Noah was a just man, who walked closely with God. Because Noah loved God, God warned him about the flood that would take place.
God told Noah, “Seven days from now I will send rain on the earth for forty days and forty nights, and I will wipe from the face of the earth every living creature I have made,” in” Genesis 7:4.
Rain was a Tool God Used for the Judgement of Wickedness
In the story of Noah, God used this early rain to destroy every living thing. All of the wild animals and wicked humans would be removed from the earth.
God’s use of rain for judgment can raise some questions. How could a just God do this? Ultimately, what we have to realize is that wickedness separates us from God, and the natural penalty is death. However, the time God does give us is gracious.
God Protected Noah from the Flood
Even though God would use the rain to destroy the wicked people on Earth, God protected Noah. God gave Noah the directions to build a boat.
The boat would keep Noah, his family, and several animals safe from the rain. God’s judgment is shown in this story, but so is His grace.
Noah wasn’t perfect either, so he probably didn’t deserve grace. God gave it to him anyway. Rain can remind us of God’s grace.
He even set a rainbow in the sky as a sign of the covenant he made with Noah to never destroy the earth with a flood again.
Rain Washes Away Old Things
Rain serves the purpose of washing away dead things. It brings a new beginning, by deteriorating the old and bringing a fresh start.
2. Rain is a Symbol of God’s Blessings
The second thing that rain symbolizes in God’s word is blessing. During Old Testament times, rain was a symbol of blessing. Many people were farmers, so rain was good for production. It was something they hoped for from God.
We even see rain being mentioned in Acts 14:17. It says, “Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.”
Rain is a sign of God’s provision. It was a way for God to provide water and crops to his people, so water is a symbol of blessing in the Bible.
Is Rain a Symbol of God’s Blessing Today?
It seems like rain was a symbol of blessing in Biblical times, but what about today? Is rain still a symbol of blessing to us? I would say yes.
Although many people have moved from being farmers to being desk-job workers, rain can still remind us of God’s blessing. Rain revitalize our land, and makes the grass grow. It brings new life from the ground. Rain can be viewed as a symbol of God’s blessing today.
3. Rain is a Symbol of God’s Authority over Nature
The third thing that rain symbolizes in the Bible is God’s authority over nature. God is the creator of everything, so he even has authority over the rain.
Looking at the latter rain in the story of Noah, we can realize that God caused that rain. God has authority over the rain.
Jesus Told a Storm to Stop
During one Biblical story, Jesus calms a storm. Jesus and his disciples were on a boat, and a storm arose. The wind and the waves were crazy, but Jesus was sleeping.
The disciples were afraid, so they woke Jesus up. Mark 4:39 tells us, “He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.”
Jesus and his disciples were in the middle of a storm, but Jesus rebuked the storm and told it to stop. The storm listened to him. That is an example of God’s authority over nature being exercised.
God Created the Season of Rain
God is the creator over everything. He created the Earth, everything in it, and even the weather. God organized different seasons to bring different things.
Spring is considered a rainy season, whereas the winter months are usually drier. God’s authority over nature is displayed by the fact that he created seasons.
Jeremiah 5:24 says, “They do not say to themselves, ‘Let us fear the LORD our God, who gives autumn and spring rains in season, who assures us of the regular weeks of harvest.’
This verse is telling us about people who aren’t grateful for the spring rain that God is giving them. We should praise God for the rain.
God Sends Rain from Heaven
Not only does God orchestrate the seasons, he determines where it will rain. Our Heavenly Father dictates when and where it rains.
Amos 4:7 says, “I also withheld rain from you when the harvest was still three months away. I sent rain on one town, but withheld it from another. One field had rain; another had none and dried up.”
God is all-knowing, so he knows who needs rain and who deserves it. He blesses the people who wants to bless, and withholds from whom he wants to withhold.
Regardless of whether we think God’s decisions are just, we must believe he is in control. He clearly controls the rain.
4. Rain is a Symbol of New Life
In the Bible, rain is also shown to bring new life. When rain comes, new grass sprouts up. The dry ground is no longer dry, and the heavy rainfall fills the whole land.
Isaiah 45:8 says, “You heavens above, rain down my righteousness; let the clouds shower it down. Let the earth open wide, let salvation spring up, let righteousness flourish with it; I, the Lord, have created it.”
God is a savior, and he brings the season of rain. He also brings time of spiritual renewal and new life. We might feel weak and exhausted, but God can bring new joy to our lives.
5. Rain is a Symbol of a Trial in Scripture
The fifth thing that rain symbolizes in the Bible are trials. Here are a few thoughts on rain and trials in the Bible.
Jesus Taught that Storms were Trials
Jesus taught about rain. He used a story to illustrate an important spiritual truth that can lead to spiritual growth.
Jesus said, “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.” (Matthew 7:24-25)
He went on to tell the people, whoever listens to Him, but doesn’t put his words into practice, is like a person who builds their house on sand. When a storm comes, that person’s house is destroyed.
Rain symbolizes a trial and the difficulties of life in the Bible.
Trials Test Our Foundation
There might be abundant rain. It might seem like our lives are falling apart, but Jesus is promising safety to the people who trust in him.
The rainstorm tests our foundation. The difficult situation in our life helps us to see areas of our lives that need attention. God uses them to correct and encourage us to do better.
Trials Help us to Become Better
Trials seem like a scary thing, but they are actually good. The Bible tells us that trials are there to make us better. It even tells us about how we should respond in the face of a trial.
James 1:2-3 says, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.”
When the rains come, we should rejoice. We should not be afraid, but we should be happy. God is developing us and making us better people. He is helping us to follow after him better.
The Difference Between Judgement and Trials
You might be asking, “how is a trial different from the judgment that we talked about in the time of Noah?” In the Old Testament, God’s judgment was focused on punishing wickedness. In the New Testament trials are a way God teaches and corrects us.
Although trial and judgment aren’t fun, God uses them to bring glory to Himself and to help his people.
6. Rain is a Reminder of the Power of Prayer
The final thing that rain symbolizes in the Bible is the power of prayer. Prayer is a tool the people have to communicate with God. When we pray, God hears us and He is willing to respond.
James 5:17-18 recounts an Old Testament story about the power of prayer.
It says, “Elijah was a human being, even as we are. 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 produced its crops.” James 5:17-18
Even though the former rain was 3.5 years ago, Elijah had faith and prayed earnestly for rain. These Bible verses depict the truth about the power of prayer.
Final Thoughts about Rain in the Bible
Whether the story of the Prophet Elijah or Noah and the Ark, we can learn something from the moments of rain in the Bible. They can encourage us in our spiritual journey, and help us to recognize ways we can glorify God better.
Although rain means mean different things to different cultures, the Word of God truly depicts some great concepts through the topic of rain. Various cultures believed different things about rain, but the Bible is the source of God’s truth.
Next time you hear the sound of rain or see rain fall, remember the teachings of the Bible. That the descent of water is a symbol of abundance and blessing that God wants to place on your life.
