In Botswana the word "pula" means rain, blessing and it is the word that is used for their currency. In that desert country, rain is a blessing and does tie to wealth for all. As we have mentioned, we were on water rationing most of our time there. When we left BW in early December, local people were getting distressed about the low water levels in the reservoir that supplies our hometown of Gaborone, and the populous surrounding areas. Having no water is pretty serious. A simple molecule with 2 hydrogens and one oxygen is necessary for life. Strange when you think about it!
Since arriving in central western Alabama we have had rain, rain rain. I'd say we have gotten more rain in 25 days here than in 10.5 months in Botswana. We may have gotten twice as much. In fact it has been so cloudy that we have been a bit slower in getting over jet-lag.
In Genesis 2 we learn that G^d had a better method than rain.
Rain is first used in a negative way:
But G^d makes promises too.
12 God said, “This is the sign of the covenant which I am making between Me and you and every living creature that is with you, for [h]all successive generations; 13 I set My bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a sign of a covenant between Me and the earth. 14 It shall come about, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow will be seen in the cloud, 15 and I will remember My covenant, which is between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and never again shall the water become a flood to destroy all flesh. 16 When the bow is in the cloud, then I will look upon it, to remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.” 17 And God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant which I have established between Me and all flesh that is on the earth.” Gen 9.
Rain, essential for life, yet once the cause of death for most of humanity!
But the reverse life and death contrast is even more important.
The Christ dies for mankind, yet it is essential that He die once that man may live forever.
Since arriving in central western Alabama we have had rain, rain rain. I'd say we have gotten more rain in 25 days here than in 10.5 months in Botswana. We may have gotten twice as much. In fact it has been so cloudy that we have been a bit slower in getting over jet-lag.
In Genesis 2 we learn that G^d had a better method than rain.
5 And every plant of the field before it was in the earth, and every herb of the field before it grew: for the Lord God had not caused it to rain upon the earth, and there was not a man to till the ground.
6 But there went up a mist from the earth, and watered the whole face of the ground.
7 And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
6 But there went up a mist from the earth, and watered the whole face of the ground.
7 And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
Rain is first used in a negative way:
For yet seven days, and I will cause it to rain upon the earth
forty days and forty nights; and every living substance that I have made
will I destroy from off the face of the earth. Genesis 7:4
12 God said, “This is the sign of the covenant which I am making between Me and you and every living creature that is with you, for [h]all successive generations; 13 I set My bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a sign of a covenant between Me and the earth. 14 It shall come about, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow will be seen in the cloud, 15 and I will remember My covenant, which is between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and never again shall the water become a flood to destroy all flesh. 16 When the bow is in the cloud, then I will look upon it, to remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.” 17 And God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant which I have established between Me and all flesh that is on the earth.” Gen 9.
Rain, essential for life, yet once the cause of death for most of humanity!
But the reverse life and death contrast is even more important.
The Christ dies for mankind, yet it is essential that He die once that man may live forever.
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