Clouds and Rain – Part two

God has given us many witnesses to His power, might and existence. The Bible is one of these witnesses, as are the forces of nature that He created. When we consider these two witnesses together, we can be thrilled and edified by Bible study and encouraged by the lessons learned from the wonders of creation.

Clouds and rain are a case in point. These common phenomena of nature are rich in exhortation and warning.

Evaporation

In simplified terms, the sun beats down upon the expanse of waters, causing tiny droplets to ascend into the air. These water molecules form clouds and eventually return to the earth as rain. As the water collects in streams, rivers, lakes and seas, the cycle is perpetuated.

In scripture, the sun is used as a symbol of Christ, who is referred to as “the Sun of righteousness” (Mal. 4:2). Nations are likened to seas. As water is lifted from the seas by the sun and forms into clouds, we are called out of the nations to form a cloud of witnesses. Following the parallel further, we should rain down on the earth God’s word, helping to bring forth fruit to Him.

Goodness and severity

In Scripture, clouds and rain are used to reveal God’s character, His goodness and severity. Examples of severity are seen in the flood and God’s manifestation to Israel on Mt. Sinai (Gen. 6:8; Ex. 19:9,16;24:15-18). That fearful and terrifying sight caused the people to tremble as we might fear the dark clouds, high winds and awesome thunder and lightning during a rain storm. Such storms break off weak branches from trees, they sweep away rocks that are unstable and expose weakness in structures.

Storms thus speak of trials in our lives and we need to ask ourselves how will we react to such difficulties. Will our house stand or fall? It will surely fall unless we are founded firmly (Matt. 7:24-27).

God’s goodness can also be seen in the clouds and rain. The children of Israel saw God’s love in the pillar of cloud (Ex. 13:21). It provided guidance, shelter and protection. Our sins may appear dark and menacing at times, like the thick, dark clouds of a storm, but God is able to make them vanish away. Isaiah uses the temporary quality of clouds to represent our sins before the love and mercy of God (Isa. 44:21-22).

Metaphorical uses

Scripture is full of symbolic uses of clouds and rain. God’s doctrine is likened to the drops of rain and we, like those listening to Job, should have mouths opened wide to receive His word (Deut 32:2; Job 29:23). The Psalms remind us that God’s faithfulness is unending — it reaches to the clouds (Psa. 36:5-7). We long for Christ’s rule on earth which will be refreshing, satisfying and full of tranquility — like the clear shining after rain and a morning without clouds (II Sam. 23:1-4; Psa. 72:1-7).

There is also a great exhortation in the false hope and vain promise clouds sometimes represent. In time of drought, man earnestly desires rain. With what hope and anticipation he watches a dark cloud approaching, apparently full of life-giving rain. How his hopes are dashed and dreams crushed as it passes overhead without so much as a drop of water. So, too, is a man of false hope (Prov. 25:14). At times, we can speak great swelling words, make foolish boasts and promise our service to God and fellow believers. If we fail to deliver on such promises, we are like clouds without water — all talk and no action (Jude 11-13).

Interesting occurrences

Rain played a significant role in the life of Elijah. Its withdrawal was the focus of his introduction to Israel. James uses this example to remind us of the great effect of prayer and encourages us to always pray for one another (Jam. 5:16-18).

We all know how to procrastinate. We can think of many excuses to avoid doing our duties. The wise man warns us to never use the threat of rain to neglect sowing or reaping, especially in the vineyard of God (Eccl. 11:4). Are the excuses we frequently use real or imaginary?

Jesus uses clouds and rain to teach some valuable lessons. Reminding us that God sends rain on the just and the unjust, he warns us against showing partiality toward others and loving only those who love us (Matt. 5:44-48).

Clouds as multitudes

Clouds are often symbolic of multitudes. Consider Heb. 12:1 — the great cloud of witnesses, that is, the faithful ones of Heb. 11.

This point helps us understand prophecies concerning Christ’s return. Daniel saw the Son of man coming with clouds (7:13). Jesus uses this language concerning his return (Matt. 24:30; 26:64; Rev. 1:7). We understand the clouds to represent Christ and the saints coming in power and great glory. The saints are called-out ones, separated from the sea of nations, gathered as clouds of witnesses and coming with their Lord. I Thess. 4:13-18 is readily understood in the light of this symbol. It speaks of our being called away in clouds to meet the Lord at his return. Here is a rapture, not to heavenly bliss playing harps and riding on clouds, but to be apart of Christ’s bride, the cloud of faithful ones who bring judgment and righteousness to the earth.

Early and latter rain

The Jews planted their crops in September with the help of the early autumn rains to prepare and moisten the ground. The seeds lay dormant during the winter months only to appear in March and grow to maturity with the latter, spring rains. These early and latter rains were vital to the survival of the nation and were the source of much anticipation and desire (Prov. 16:15; Jer. 3:3; Zech. 10:1).

In Joel, the rain is likened to a “teacher of righteousness” (Joel 2:23, marg.). The root word for “former rain” has the idea “to shoot,” hence rain or, by extension, a teacher, one who shoots forth knowledge. Hosea uses this beautiful analogy in 6:1-3. The meaning of the prophecy becomes clear when we consider Jesus as the teacher of right­eousness, the early and latter rains. As the former rain, he showered divine blessings on the earth during his first advent. This was followed by a winter when Israel lay dormant. Now we eagerly await the latter rain of his second advent when Israel, and the whole earth, will spring forth with fruit to God.

James uses this analogy to encourage us to wait patiently (Jam. 5:7). We see the early rain of Christ in the gospels; we see the earth now dry and parched, desperately in need of the latter rain. We anxiously anticipate the latter rain of his coming. May we all be found patiently waiting for the time of refreshing soon to come upon the earth.