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Early and Latter Rain

James 5:7

In Palestinian agriculture, the farmer sowed seed on ground that received no rain at all during much of the year. The fields were brown and the soil was dry. Modern irrigation techniques were unknown, and dependence upon the rains was crucial. Therefore, the farmer had to accept that fact and plan accordingly. He planned on two rainy seasons for the success of his crop. The "early and latter" rains refers to the fall rains in October and November, which softened the ground after the blistering heat of summer, and to the spring showers of April and May, which caused the grain to ripen.

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