Dear fellow pilgrims,
Shalom from Jerusalem! We have had nearly continual rain, and even snow, from Thursday until today (Sunday). The photo is taken from JUC looking across the Hinnom Valley during the height of the snowfall.
I'm glad you folks got to experience something special on our last walk out of Jerusalem to the bus. The storm that blew in was a nice example of the spring rains that are so important for the crops in Israel, especially during biblical times. In Deuteronomy 11:13-14 the Lord promises that if Israel faithfully obeys him, he will send rain on the land in its season, both autumn (called yoreh in Hebrew) and spring rains (malqosh in Hebrew). The autumn rains begin usually in October-November. The heavy rains occur during December-February. The spring rains fall in March-April and are essential for a good harvest. So, on March 1, as we exited the city, the malqosh rains (spring rains) began falling in earnest and you got a feel (a rather wet feel!) of them.
It is interesting to read the Day of Pentecost in light of the malqosh rains. According to the prophet Joel, the Lord promises to send both the autumn and spring rains as before (Joel 2:23(). The the prophet says, "And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days" (Joel 2:28-29). The Apostle Peter said the powerful demonstration of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost "is what was spoken of by the prophet Joel" Acts 2:16-21). In other words, the blessings of the malqosh rains were a type of the Lord's saving work in the last days, which began in about the year AD 30 with the descent of the Holy Spirit. We are living in the last days! Of course, the "last days" are concluded with the "Day of the Lord" when he returns in glory and establishes his visible kingdom reign.
May your pilgrimage in Israel give you a fresh filling of the Holy Spirit and may the Spirit produce in you a rich harvest of the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).
Blessings from Mt Zion on all of you!
Larry
