The book of James offers practical wisdom for Christians seeking to live out their faith. In James 5:7, the author encourages his readers to be patient in suffering, using the example of a farmer waiting for the early and latter rains.
In the ancient Near East, including Israel, rainfall came at two key times of the year (Deut 11:14). The early rains came in the autumn, right after seed sowing, to enable the seeds to germinate and grow. The latter rains came in the spring, to enable the crops to mature and ripen before harvest time.
A farmer in ancient Israel was completely dependent on these rains for his livelihood. Thus he would wait patiently for the rains to come at their appointed times. He had patience because he trusted that the rains would come in due time, based on God’s providential care for the land. If the rains failed, it meant crop failure, hunger, and poverty (cf. 1 Kings 17-18).
Just as the farmer waits patiently for the rains, so Christians should also wait patiently for Christ’s return, at a time known only to God (vv.7-8). Several key lessons can be drawn from the imagery of the patient farmer:
1. Patience in suffering
Waiting for the rains required patience in the face of uncertain conditions. Farmers had to persist in hope despite not knowing exactly when the rains would come. Likewise, Christians should also patiently endure sufferings and trials, continuing to hope in God’s promises (vv.7-11).
Hardship and persecution were a reality for many early believers. James encourages his readers to stand fast, not grumbling against one another (v.9). Believers are called to patient endurance in the midst of suffering, just like the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord (v.10). Indeed, those who persevere are blessed because God is compassionate and faithful (v.11).
2. Steadfast faith
To wait for the rains required steadfast faith in God’s providence. Farmers had to trust God would send rain at the appropriate times as He had promised. They had to faithfully keep sowing year after year.
Similarly, Christians wait in hope for Christ’s return by faith, trusting in God’s faithfulness rather than giving in to doubt. The farmer does not know precisely when the rains will come, but waits expectantly nonetheless. Christians also must wait in faithful trust for God’s perfect timing.
God wants His people to persevere in faithful obedience year after year, rather than wavering in unbelief. Steadfastly walking by faith pleases God (Heb 10:35-39, 11:1-6).
3. Readiness for action
When the rains came, farmers had to be ready to spring into action. There was plowing, sowing, and irrigation to be done when the early rains arrived. When the latter rains came, harvest time required immediate reaping, gathering, and processing of crops.
In the same way, Christians must actively wait in readiness, not in passive idleness. We must be spiritually alert and ready to reap a harvest of righteousness when the Lord returns (Gal 6:9). Our patient waiting must be accompanied by proactive obedience and faithful labor in God’s kingdom.
4. Certain hope
Despite not knowing the precise timing, the farmer had certainty the rains would come. God’s faithfulness in the past provided assurance the rains would come again. This allowed the farmer to wait with patient assurance.
Christians also wait with certainty for Christ’s return because we have God’s past faithfulness as the unshakable ground for our hope. Our patient endurance rests on the certainty that Christ will return just as He promised (Titus 2:11-14).
Our blessed hope is anchored in the bedrock of Christ’s death and resurrection. Jesus will certainly come again to fulfill all of God’s promises (2 Pet 3:1-9). This assured hope gives us patience to continue waiting faithfully.
5. Reward at harvest time
The farmer’s patient waiting was motivated by the hope of future reward at harvest time. His hard work would lead to the joy of bringing in the crop.
For believers, Christ’s return brings unimaginable reward and joy. There will be the harvest of righteousness, vindication, resurrection life, and seeing Jesus face to face (1 Cor 15:20-28, 50-58). This glorious future empowers patient endurance now.
Of course, God is pleased to bless His people spiritually in the present. But the fullest experience of reward awaits us in the future. Our present suffering pales in comparison to the eternal weight of glory to come (Rom 8:18, 2 Cor 4:17).
6. Warning against impatience
Waiting for the rains also tested the farmer’s patience. Premature rain could damage crops if harvesting was incomplete (cf. Eccl 11:4). The farmer had to resist anxiously demanding rain on his terms and timing.
Likewise, believers must wait on God’s perfect timing and not give in to impatience. Demanding God’s judgment now according to our limited understanding risks presumption upon His patience. Fretful impatience can lead believers into other sins like complaining, disunity, even faithlessness.
Rather, we must cultivate patient trust in God’s wisdom. He knows exactly when and how to set all wrongs right in accordance with His redemptive purposes.
7. Living wisely
Waiting on the rains, the farmer had to live diligently and wisely. He still needed to plow, plant, and tend his land even before the rains came. This required wise stewardship of resources and energy.
Believers also must live purposefully while awaiting Christ’s return. This includes walking in holiness, service, and faithful stewardship (Titus 2:11-14). Rather than idly waiting, we ought to diligently labor for God’s kingdom.
Living wisely also requires watchfully resisting earthly pleasures that may distract our focus and hinder readiness for Christ’s coming (Luke 21:34-36). We wait vigilantly, living each day in reverent fear of God.
8. God’s grace to sustain
Ultimately, the farmer’s waiting depended fully on God’s gracious provision of rain, sunlight, and seasons (Jer 5:24). His patient hope was grounded in God’s faithful covenant love for Israel.
Likewise, it is God’s grace that enables believers to wait patiently for Christ’s return. Through the Holy Spirit, God pours His love into our hearts so we can faithfully endure (Rom 5:1-5). It is His patient mercy that leads us to repentance (2 Pet 3:9, 15).
God promises to supply every need so that we lack no spiritual blessing to enable our perseverance (2 Pet 1:3-11). He sustains us each day with refreshing mercy, strength, and help to patiently endure until Jesus’ return.
Conclusion
The example of the patient farmer waiting for rain powerfully illuminates core Christian virtues of patience, faith, hope, wisdom and readiness. It offers perspective and motivation to persevere in the midst of suffering and ambiguity.
Ultimately, the rains come as a gift from God’s gracious hand. Likewise, Christ’s return is a gracious gift that will bring full joy, reward and rest for all who have waited upon the Lord. Waiting patiently for God’s perfect timing requires faithful trust sustained by His unfailing love.