(The Lord speaking is red text)
That I will give [you] the rain of your land in his due season, the first rain and the latter rain, that thou mayest gather in thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil.
then, [says ADONAI,] 'I will give your land its rain at the right seasons, including the early fall rains and the late spring rains; so that you can gather in your wheat, new wine and olive oil;
then I will provide rain for your land in season, the autumn and spring rains, that you may gather your grain, new wine, and oil.
that I will give the rain of your land in its season, the former rain and the latter rain, that thou mayest gather in thy grain, and thy new wine, and thine oil.
That I will give{H5414} you the rain{H4306} of your land{H776} in his due season{H6256}, the first rain{H3138} and the latter rain{H4456}, that thou mayest gather{H622} in thy corn{H1715}, and thy wine{H8492}, and thine oil{H3323}.
Deuteronomy 11:14 is part of Moses' second discourse to the Israelites, which is found in the book of Deuteronomy. This book is a series of speeches that Moses gives to the Israelites before they enter the Promised Land, recounting their history, reiterating the law, and providing guidance for their future.
Themes:
1. **Divine Providence**: The verse emphasizes God's promise to provide for the material needs of the Israelites. The mention of rain at the right time for the harvest underscores the idea that God is intimately involved in the natural cycles necessary for agriculture and sustenance.
2. **Agricultural Blessings**: The verse highlights the importance of agriculture in the life of ancient Israel. The "first rain" (autumn rains) and the "latter rain" (spring rains) were crucial for the success of crops, particularly in the semi-arid climate of the region.
3. **Covenant Faithfulness**: The promise of timely rain is contingent upon the Israelites' obedience to God's laws, as outlined earlier in Deuteronomy. It serves as a reminder of the covenantal relationship between God and Israel, where blessings are tied to fidelity to the covenant.
4. **Economic Stability**: The ability to gather in the harvest of grain, wine, and oil speaks to economic stability and prosperity. These were staples in the ancient Near Eastern diet and were also used in trade and religious rituals.
Historical Context:
The book of Deuteronomy is set in the final days of Moses' leadership, just before the Israelites cross the Jordan River into Canaan, the land promised to their ancestors. The historical context is the transition from a nomadic life in the wilderness to a sedentary, agrarian existence in a new land.
In the ancient Near East, rain was both a literal and metaphorical life-giving force. The timing and amount of rain were critical for the success of crops, and thus, the survival and prosperity of the people. The "first rain" typically occurred in October or November, softening the ground for plowing and sowing. The "latter rain" came in the spring, around March or April, to help the maturing crops reach full growth before the dry summer season.
Deuteronomy 11:14, therefore, reflects the agrarian lifestyle of the Israelites and the importance of reliable agricultural cycles for their societal and religious life. It also serves as a theological statement about God's care for the people and the expectation that they would live in accordance with the covenant they had entered into with Him.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)