Untitled Sermon (2)

Jesus used farming and agriculture metaphors the most in his parables. Today, we’re going to look at an agriculture metaphor the Bible uses that will help us understand how we can have power and boldness in sharing Jesus with others.

*Opening Prayer*

Main Point #1: Former and Latter Rain

                Sub-Point #1: Rain Imagery

If you were a Jew living in the ancient Near East you were dependent upon good conditions for farming. If the conditions were poor you and your family could starve. Perhaps the most important aspects to farming in the Near East was the early and latter rain.

                A good farmer would plant his seeds in autumn because there was a rainy season during this time that would help the seeds to germinate and take root. By late spring the plants had begun to ripen and there would be another season of rain to bring the plants to full maturation ready for harvest. Jewish farmers understood this principle that for a plant to fully grow it had to experience both the early and the later rain.

                Because this knowledge was so commonplace and was so important to the life and wellbeing of the Jewish people, God used the imagery of rain on seeds and crops many times in the Bible to convey a significant spiritual point.

                In Deuteronomy, the teachings of Moses are compared to rain.

Quote: Let my teaching fall like rain and my words descend like dew, like showers on new grass, like abundant rain on tender plants. Deuteronomy 32:2 (NIV)

                Here the words of Moses which are wisdom and knowledge of God are compared to rain to help plants grow. Similarly, the words of Moses will help the people to spiritually grow and mature if they obey them.

In 1 Corinthians chapter 3, Paul describes people coming into the faith as one person planting a seed, another watering, and God giving the increase or the harvest. Paul also says that Christians should have the fruit of the Spirit. Their experience with God should be evident in their producing love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Even the Book of James compares the early and latter rain to Christians growing in patience.

Quote: Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. James 5:7 (NKJV)

                Link Line: All these different uses of imagery of early and latter rain and plants growing and maturing are related to growing in the faith, growing in Christian character, drawing closer to God. God is showing that his people like plants grow over time.

                Sub-Point #2: Joel’s Latter Rain

But the passage that explains this the most can be found in the Book of Joel. Joel was a prophet before the time of Jesus and he was sent by God to warn the people that if they did not turn away from their sin, that God would have to bring justice on them. He would send another nation to attack and eventually destroy them if they continued in their violence, and injustice, and idolatry and pagan worship. But God also gives Joel a message of hope, that even if his people are destroyed for their sin he will restore them again in his mercy and love for them.

Read: Joel 2:18-24 (NKJV)

                What a beautiful promise this is. God is saying that while he must judge his people for their sin, he will also show mercy and restore them. He will also give justice to those who cruelly attacked and oppressed them and he will give them back their land full of grain and new wine (grape juice) and oil. He says the fig tree and vine will yield their fruit and why? Because God has sent both the early and the latter rain (some translations may say the autumn and the spring rain).

                But where is the connection here to the character of spiritual growth of his people? Well, God’s promise of restoration would only be fulfilled in its fullest expression if the people repented of their sin and turned back to him. This passage implies there will be a turning back to God and then something incredible will happen.

Read: Joel 2:28,29 (NKJV)