A childhood nursery rhyme says, “Rain, rain, go away. Come again another day!” But you will never hear that in Israel! Why? Because rain is a valuable commodity there!

Recent weather in Israel has dropped significant snow amounts and most of Israel is getting rain today. Winter and early-spring are rainy seasons and Israelis very readily acknowledge the gracious hand of God when they get moisture falling from the sky. Why is rain so important to Israelis, and is there Biblical significance? I think so!

³ For I will pour water on the thirsty land
And streams on the dry ground;
I will pour out My Spirit on your offspring,
And My blessing on your descendants;
⁴ And they will spring up among the grass
Like poplars by streams of water.

~Isaiah 44:3-4

The Sea of Galilee is the only natural source of water in Israel, and its waters flow through the Jordan River valley to the Dead Sea. Fresh water is in limited supply, and has a short life before the mineral-laden Dead Sea sucks it in and lets none of it out. The Jewish state is fully dependent upon “the heavens” in a real sense, both physically and spiritually!

In Scripture, rain is a sign of blessing, while drought is a sign of cursing and punishment. (Deuteronomy 11:10-17, Deuteronomy 28:12, Acts 14:17, for example) That is not to say Israel did not have its share of drought (think of Joseph making provision for the Israelites while in Egypt). Israel is blessed in many ways, but they also have their downfalls. Rain and drought both come.

Often, God must do away with what we take for granted (such as rain) to cause us to look to Him for all we need. Such is the case with the Jews as well. God placed His people in a dry and dusty land with no reliable water source so they must look to the skies! God always wants relationship, and He will go to great lengths to draw us into dependence upon Him!

So, let’s pray for two things:

1. May God continue to bless Israel with abundant rain this season.
2. Pray for spiritual rain! May the Spirit of the Lord stir among the Jewish people, that the veil may be lifted for many to see Yeshua (Jesus) as Messiah.

BTW – abundant rain in the winter brings gorgeous flowers in the spring! Wait for it….!