The giving of rain is not only a physical blessing, it has spiritual connotations as well. The picture of the falling of rain here is actually the proclamation of the word. Preaching. And just like the land is transformed from barren to verdant, so too are we changed when we take in the Word of God. We drink it in and it changes us. Just as it is the natural tendency of earth to drink in the water poured upon it, so also men cannot but take in the truth somewhat, even if all it does is make them guilty before God. It is the task of the church to be faithful in sharing the rain that has fallen on us-