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Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Deuteronomy 11:8–17. His three-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.
Still Moses urges the same subject, as loth to conclude till he had gained his point. "If thou wilt enter into life, if thou wilt enter into Canaan, a type of that life, and find it a good land indeed to thee, keep the commandments: Keep all the commandments which I command you this day; love God, and serve him with all your heart."
I.Because this was the way to get and keep possession of the promised land.
1. It was the way to get possession (Deu 11:8): That you may be strong for war, and so go in and possess it. So little did they know either of hardship or hazard in the wars of Canaan that he does not say they should go in and fight for it; no, they had nothing in effect to do but go in and possess it. He does not go about to teach them the art of war, how to draw the bow, and use the sword, and keep ranks, that they might be strong, and go in and possess the land; no, but let them keep God's commandments, and their religion, while they are true to it, will be their strength, and secure their success. (2.) It was the way to keep possession (Deu 11:9): That you may prolong your days in this land that your eye is upon. Sin tends to the shortening of the days of particular persons and to the shortening of the days of a people's prosperity; but obedience will be a lengthening out of their tranquillity.
II.Because the land of Canaan, into which they were going, had a more sensible dependence upon the blessing of heaven than the land of Egypt had, Deu 11:10-12. Egypt was a country fruitful enough, but it was all flat, and was watered, not as other countries with rain (it is said of Egypt, Zac 14:18, that it has no rain), but by the overflowing of the river Nile at a certain season of the year, to the improving of which there was necessary a great deal of the art and labour of the husbandman, so that in Egypt a man must bestow as much cost and pains upon a field as upon a garden of herbs. And this made them the more apt to imagine that the power of their own hands got them this wealth. But the land of Canaan was an uneven country, a land of hills and valleys, which not only gave a more pleasing prospect to the eye, but yielded a greater variety of soils for the several purposes of the husbandman. It was a land that had no great rivers in it, except Jordan, but drank water of the rain of heaven, and so,
1.Saved them a great deal of labour. While the Egyptians were ditching and guttering in the fields, up to the knees in mud, to bring water to their land, which otherwise would soon become like the heath in the wilderness, the Israelites could sit in their houses, warm and easy, and leave it to God to water their land with the former and the latter rain, which is called the river of God (Psa 65:9), perhaps in allusion to, and contempt of, the river of Egypt, which that nation was so proud of. Note, The better God has provided, by our outward condition, for our ease and convenience, the more we should abound in his service: the less we have to do for our bodies the more we should do for God and our souls.
2.So he directed them to look upwards to God, who giveth us rain form heaven and fruitful seasons (Act 14:17), and promised to be himself as the dew unto Israel, Hos 14:5. Note,
(1.)Mercies bring with them the greatest comfort and sweetness when we see them coming from heaven, the immediate gifts of divine Providence.
(2.)The closer dependence we have upon God the more cheerful we should be in our obedience to him. See how Moses here magnifies the land of Canaan above all other lands, that the eyes of God were always upon it, that is, they should be so, to see that nothing was wanting, while they kept close to God and duty; its fruitfulness should be not so much the happy effect of its soil as the immediate fruit of the divine blessing; this may be inferred from its present state, for it is said to be at this day, now that God has departed from it, as barren a spot of ground as perhaps any under heaven. Call it not Naomi: call it Marah.
III.Because God would certainly bless them with an abundance of all good things if they would love him and serve him (Deu 11:13-15):
I will give you the rain of your land in due season, so that they should neither want it when the ground called for it nor have it in excess; but they should have the former rain, which fell at seed-time, and the latter rain, which fell before the harvest, Amo 4:7. This represented all the seasonable blessings which God would bestow upon them, especially spiritual comforts, which should come as the latter and former, rain, Hos 6:3. And the earth thus watered produced,
1.Fruits for the service of man, corn and wine, and oil, Psa 104:13-15.
2.Grass for the cattle, that they also might be serviceable to man, that he might eat of them and be full, Deu 11:15. Godliness hath here the promise of the life that now is; but the favour of God shall put gladness into the heart, more than the increase of corn, and wine, and oil will.
IV.Because their revolt from God to idols.
would certainly be their ruin: Take heed that your hearts be not deceived, Deu 11:16, Deu 11:17. All that forsake God to set their affection upon, or pay their devotion to, any creature, will find themselves wretchedly deceived to their own destruction; and this will aggravate it that it was purely for want of taking heed. A little care would have prevented their being imposed upon by the great deceiver. To awaken them to take heed, Moses here tells them plainly that if they should turn aside to other gods,
1.They would provoke the wrath of God against them; and who knows the power of that anger?
2.Good things would be turned away from them; the heaven would withhold its rain, and then of course the earth would not yield its fruit.
3.Evil things would come upon them; they would perish quickly form off this good land. And the better the land was the more grievous it would be to perish from it. The goodness of the land would not be their security, when the badness of the inhabitants had made them ripe for ruin.
Historical interpretation
Historical Reception
One surviving comment on this verse from the historical church.
What do we understand here by rain, except the words of sacred preaching? We apply this passage to the holy teachers who were preachers in Judea. Of them it is written, “I will command the clouds not to pour down rain upon her.” We are watered by the word of their holy preaching when we acknowledge the aridity of our hearts with true humility. Thus the psalmist says rightly, “My soul is like a land without water before you.” The prophet urges us to be drenched with the flowing words of doctrine when he says, “You who thirst, come to the waters.” We, in the late ages of the world, now receive the words of holy preaching. We are watered, as it were, with late rain. This preaching of the late rain went forth from his sacrifice to us. For he says through the psalmist, “The lifting up of my hands is an evening sacrifice.” Because our Redeemer suffered the attack of his persecutors in the last age of the world, he offered himself as an evening sacrifice for us. Early and late rains are promised as a gift to the people destined to enter the land of promise, and we now see this promise accomplished spiritually. He gave early rain, because he conferred understanding on his elect in the earlier time, the time of the law. He also gave late rain, because he allowed the mystery of his incarnation to be proclaimed in the last days.
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Summary
Deuteronomy 11:14 presents a profound covenantal promise from God to Israel, assuring the provision of timely and abundant rainfall—specifically "the first rain and the latter rain"—which is absolutely essential for agricultural prosperity in the Promised Land. This divine provision, enabling the gathering of "corn, and thy wine, and thine oil," is explicitly conditioned upon the nation's diligent obedience to God's commandments, thereby establishing a direct and vital link between spiritual faithfulness and tangible, life-sustaining blessings within the covenant community.
Context
Literary Context
Deuteronomy 11:14 is strategically placed within a pivotal section of Moses' second discourse, specifically Deuteronomy 11:13-25, which serves as a powerful elaboration on the blessings of obedience and the curses of disobedience. This section immediately follows the foundational declaration of the Shema in Deuteronomy 6:4-9, underscoring the practical implications of loving and serving God with all one's heart and soul. Verse 14 directly articulates the positive outcome of the condition set forth in Deuteronomy 11:13: "And it shall come to pass, if ye shall hearken diligently unto my commandments which I command you this day, to love the LORD your God, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul..." This immediate literary proximity highlights that God's practical, life-sustaining provision is not arbitrary but a direct consequence of Israel's covenant fidelity. The promise of rain is thus a tangible manifestation of God's active presence and meticulous care, demonstrating His deep involvement in the daily lives and sustenance of His people in the land He is giving them.
Historical & Cultural Context
Ancient Israel was fundamentally an agrarian society, making its survival and prosperity profoundly dependent on the predictability and adequacy of seasonal rainfall. Unlike Egypt, which benefited from the reliable annual flooding of the Nile for irrigation, Canaan's agriculture was entirely rain-fed, described explicitly as a land that "drinketh water of the rain of heaven" in Deuteronomy 11:11. The "first rain" (Hebrew: yôwreh) typically fell in October-November, crucial for softening the sun-baked ground, allowing for plowing and the sowing of winter crops like wheat and barley. The "latter rain" (Hebrew: malqôwsh) arrived in March-April, vital for the final swelling and ripening of these grains just before the harvest season, ensuring a bountiful yield. The absence or delay of either of these critical rains could lead to widespread crop failure, devastating famine, and severe economic hardship. Therefore, God's promise to provide these rains "in his due season" was far more than a general blessing; it was a specific, life-sustaining guarantee that addressed the most fundamental need of the Israelite economy and way of life, demonstrating His direct intervention in their daily sustenance.
Key Themes
This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes prominent in Deuteronomy and the broader Pentateuch. Firstly, Divine Provision is central, emphasizing God's absolute sovereignty over creation and His intimate, personal care for His covenant people. He is not a distant deity but the direct source of life-giving rain, which is crucial for the prosperity of an agrarian society. Secondly, the theme of Covenant Blessings is vividly illustrated; the promise of rain is a tangible, material blessing directly tied to Israel's faithfulness and obedience. This reinforces the core Deuteronomic principle that obedience to God brings forth prosperity and well-being, while disobedience inevitably leads to curses and hardship, as comprehensively detailed in Deuteronomy 28. Lastly, the verse underscores Agricultural Dependence and God's indispensable role as the sustainer of life. It highlights the profound reliance of ancient Israel on natural cycles and divine intervention for their very existence, fostering a theology of deep trust and profound gratitude in the face of environmental uncertainties.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
This term (H3138) refers to the early autumn rains (typically October-November) that were absolutely essential for preparing the soil for plowing and planting winter crops such as wheat and barley. Its timely arrival softened the ground, which had been hardened by the long, dry summer, enabling farmers to sow their seeds effectively. Without the "first rain," planting would be delayed or even impossible, jeopardizing the entire agricultural cycle and the subsequent harvest.
This term (H4456) refers to the late spring rains (typically March-April) that were crucial for the final ripening of the winter crops before the harvest. These rains provided the necessary moisture for the grains to swell and mature, ensuring a full and abundant yield. Their absence would result in shriveled, unproductive crops, leading to scarcity and potential famine. The promise of both "first" and "latter" rain signifies a complete and perfectly timed provision for the entire growing season.
This phrase (H6256) emphasizes the precise and perfect timing of God's provision. It's not merely that rain will come, but that it will arrive exactly when it is needed most for the agricultural cycle. This highlights God's meticulous care, His divine foreknowledge, and His sovereign control over natural processes, ensuring optimal conditions for the land's fruitfulness and the nation's prosperity.
Verse Breakdown
"That I will give [you] the rain of your land in his due season,"
This clause establishes God as the active, benevolent giver of life-sustaining rain. The promise is direct and personal ("I will give you"), emphasizing His intimate covenant relationship with Israel. The phrase "your land" reinforces that this blessing is specifically for the territory they are about to inherit, a land whose fertility is directly tied to divine favor. The crucial element "in his due season" highlights God's perfect timing and sovereign control, ensuring the rain arrives precisely when needed for the agricultural year, demonstrating His meticulous provision.
"the first rain and the latter rain,"
This specifies the two critical periods of rainfall that bracket the growing season, essential for the success of the crops. The "first rain" (autumn) initiates the planting, softening the ground for sowing, and the "latter rain" (spring) brings the crops to maturity for harvest. By mentioning both, God guarantees a complete and sustained provision throughout the entire agricultural cycle, from sowing to reaping, ensuring the land's productivity. This is not a partial promise but a comprehensive one, covering all necessary rainfall.
"that thou mayest gather in thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil."
This final clause states the direct purpose and tangible outcome of God's faithful provision. "Corn" (H1715, grain), "wine" (H8492, from grapes), and "oil" (H3323, from olives) were the three primary agricultural products of ancient Israel, representing the staple sources of sustenance, commerce, and wealth. The ability to "gather in" these products signifies a successful and abundant harvest, directly linking God's blessing of rain to the nation's material prosperity, economic stability, and overall well-being.
Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 11:14 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message. The most prominent is Conditional Promise, where God's action (giving rain) is directly contingent upon Israel's obedience (as established in the preceding verse, Deuteronomy 11:13). This establishes a clear cause-and-effect relationship that is central to the Deuteronomic covenant theology. There is also an element of Merism in the phrase "the first rain and the latter rain," where two contrasting parts are used to represent the whole—in this case, all the necessary rain throughout the entire growing season, from planting to harvest. Finally, the mention of "corn, and thy wine, and thine oil" functions as a form of Synecdoche or Metonymy, where these three staple products stand in for the entirety of agricultural prosperity and the general abundance of the land. They represent the full spectrum of the land's produce and the comprehensive nature of God's blessing, signifying complete provision.
Theological and Thematic Connections
Deuteronomy 11:14 profoundly illustrates God's active involvement in the material well-being of His covenant people, linking their physical sustenance directly to their spiritual fidelity. This principle of conditional blessing, where obedience unlocks tangible provision, is a recurring theological motif throughout the Old Testament. It showcases God as the sovereign Lord over creation, whose power extends to the very elements of nature, and whose faithfulness is expressed through His provision for those who walk in His ways. This verse also foreshadows a deeper spiritual truth: just as physical rain nourishes the land, God's spiritual blessings nourish the soul, contingent upon a heart devoted to Him. The promise of "due season" speaks to God's perfect timing and wisdom in all His provisions, whether physical or spiritual, assuring His people that His care is both comprehensive and precisely timed.
Reflection and Application
While modern societies may not directly depend on seasonal rains for their immediate sustenance in the same way ancient Israel did, the underlying principle of Deuteronomy 11:14 remains profoundly relevant for believers today. God is still the ultimate provider, and spiritual obedience continues to be deeply linked with His blessings, though these blessings may manifest differently in a New Covenant context. This verse encourages us to cultivate a posture of deep trust in God's faithfulness to meet our needs—whether physical, emotional, or spiritual—and reminds us that true prosperity, in its deepest sense, flows from His hand. It calls us to examine our own lives: are we diligently hearkening to God's commandments, loving Him with all our heart and soul? Our pursuit of God's kingdom and righteousness, as Jesus taught in Matthew 6:33, positions us to experience His promised provision and care in every aspect of our lives, acknowledging that He is the source of all good things and that His timing is always perfect.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why was rain such a significant promise for ancient Israel, and what does "due season" imply?
Rain was absolutely critical for ancient Israel because their agricultural economy, unlike that of Egypt with its Nile River irrigation, was entirely dependent on seasonal rainfall. The land of Canaan was distinct, described as a "land of hills and valleys, which drinketh water of the rain of heaven" in Deuteronomy 11:11. Without the "first rain" (autumn) for planting and the "latter rain" (spring) for ripening, crops would inevitably fail, leading to widespread famine and severe hardship. The promise of rain "in his due season" implies God's perfect timing and meticulous care. It's not just that rain would come, but that it would arrive precisely when needed for optimal agricultural success, demonstrating God's sovereign control over nature and His unwavering commitment to His covenant people's well-being.
How does this promise of physical provision relate to Christians under the New Covenant?
While Christians today do not live under the Mosaic covenant's specific terms of physical land and agricultural blessings, the underlying principle of God as the faithful Provider remains eternally true. Deuteronomy 11:14 teaches us about God's character: He is attentive to the needs of His people and desires to bless their obedience. For New Covenant believers, the emphasis shifts from primarily physical, agricultural blessings to spiritual and holistic well-being. God still provides for our physical needs, as affirmed in Philippians 4:19, but He also pours out spiritual "rain"—the Holy Spirit, wisdom, grace, and anointing—to enable us to bear spiritual fruit, as described in Galatians 5:22-23. Our "land" is now the kingdom of God, and our "harvest" is spiritual growth and the advancement of His purposes. The call to obedience and trust in His provision remains central and transformative.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
Deuteronomy 11:14, with its promise of life-giving rain and abundant harvest contingent on obedience, finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While the Old Covenant promised physical rain for physical sustenance, Christ brings the spiritual "rain" that truly nourishes the soul and produces eternal fruit. He is the source of the "living water" that, once received, ensures we "shall never thirst" (John 4:13-14). The "first rain" of the Spirit was poured out at Pentecost, initiating the new harvest of believers and the birth of the Church (Acts 2:17-18), and the "latter rain" continues to fall, empowering the church for its mission and bringing believers to maturity in anticipation of Christ's return. Through Christ, the curse of the law is broken, and the true blessing of Abraham—which is the gift of the Spirit through faith—is made available to all nations (Galatians 3:14). Our obedience to Christ, born of love and faith, yields a harvest of righteousness and peace, far surpassing the "corn, wine, and oil" of the land. In Him, we are blessed with "every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places" (Ephesians 1:3), experiencing a provision that is not merely seasonal but eternal, securing our true and lasting prosperity in God's kingdom.