What Does The Bible Say About Rain At A Funeral?

Rain on the day of a funeral is often seen as symbolic. Some view it as God’s tears, mourning alongside grieving loved ones. For others, rain signifies hope and new life, like the life-giving rain that nourishes seeds planted in the earth.

But what does the Bible say about rain falling during a funeral?

If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer: The Bible does not directly address rain at funerals. However, Scripture contains many poetic passages about rain as a metaphor for God’s blessing, favor, and provision.

These passages offer comfort and point to God’s presence even in times of grief and loss.

Rain as Blessing and Favor in Scripture

Old Testament References to Rain as Blessing

In the Old Testament, rain is often seen as a blessing and sign of God’s favor. For example, Deuteronomy 11:14 says, “I will send rain on your land in its season, both autumn and spring rains, so that you may gather in your grain, new wine and olive oil.”

The rain allowed crops to grow and provided sustenance for God’s people.

Leviticus 26:4 also promises, “I will send you rain in its season, and the ground will yield its crops and the trees their fruit.” Rain was a reminder of God’s provision and care.

The prophet Isaiah uses rain imagery to describe God’s blessing, saying “The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth.

They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry” (Isaiah 55:10).

Here, rain nourishes the earth and provides abundance. The psalmists also praise God who “covers the sky with clouds” and “prepares rain for the earth” (Psalm 147:8), seeing rain as a gift from the Creator.

Rain as Symbol of God’s Favor and Presence

In addition to nourishing crops, rain in the Bible also represents God’s favor and presence. When Solomon dedicated the Temple in 1 Kings 8, he prayed that when the people repented and prayed toward the Temple, God would “hear from heaven, and forgive the sin of your servants, your people Israel.

Teach them the right way to live, and send rain on the land you gave your people for an inheritance” (8:36). Here, rain is a sign of God’s forgiveness and grace according to His promise.

Similarly, the prophet Zechariah says God will show favor in the last days to those who ask for rain in His name: “Ask the Lord for rain in the springtime; it is the Lord who sends the thunderstorms.

He gives showers of rain to all people, and plants of the field to everyone” (Zechariah 10:1). Rain is a reminder of God’s enduring faithfulness to His creation.

Jesus’ Teachings About Rain as Blessing

In the New Testament, Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount refers to rain as a blessing from God: “He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous” (Matthew 5:45).

Rain sustains life and growth without discrimination.

Jesus teaches God’s grace and provision extend to all. He uses rainfall to illustrate doing good to all, not just those who are good to us.

The Bible also says at the end Jesus’ earthly ministry, “lightning flashes and rumblings and peals of thunder” came as He prayed (John 12:28-29). This storm symbolized God’s power and divine presence with Jesus.

Though rain can be destructive in excess, throughout Scripture it more commonly appears as a sign of God’s favor, grace, and faithful provision for His people.

Rain as Purification and New Life

The Flood and Noah’s Ark

In the Bible, rain is often seen as a purification and a precursor to new life. The most prominent example is the story of Noah’s Ark and the Great Flood in Genesis 6-9.

God was saddened by the wickedness of mankind and decided to send a purifying flood to wash away sin and allow a new, righteous civilization to emerge.

For 40 days and nights, rain poured from the heavens until the entire world was flooded. Yet God provided an ark for Noah’s family and pairs of every animal to be saved. After the flood waters receded, God made a covenant with Noah promising never again to destroy the world.

This story illustrates rain’s purifying power to cleanse wrongdoing and pave the way for renewal.

Later in the Bible, rains are withheld as a consequence for disobeying God, showing rain’s importance for sustenance and prosperity. When obedience is restored, abundant rain returns as a sign of God’s favor.

Overall, the Flood narrative established rain’s purifying capacity in the Bible, from destroying evil to enabling righteous new life.

Baptism and Living Water

In the New Testament, baptism echoes rain’s cleansing and life-giving properties. Just as rain purifies the earth, the waters of baptism symbolically wash away the stain of sin.

And just as rain brings vegetation to life, baptism initiates people into new spiritual life in Christ (Romans 6:4).

Jesus himself was baptized, identifying with sinners and blessing the purifying waters.

Furthermore, Jesus told Nicodemus one must be “born of water” to enter God’s kingdom (John 3:5), equating baptism with regenerative rain.

Additionally, Jesus offered “living water” to the Samaritan woman at the well, water that would eternally satisfy spiritual thirst (John 4:10-14). This water of life alludes to the life-giving properties of rain.

While normal water only temporarily quenches thirst, the gift of God permanently cleanses sin and ushers in enduring spiritual vitality. Ultimately, the Bible parallels rain and baptism as agents of purification and regeneration.

Rain as Symbol of Renewal and Rebirth

Finally, rain features prominently in Ezekiel’s vision of Israel’s restoration. God promises to sprinkle Israel with clean water, cleansing her filthiness and idolatry (Ezekiel 36:25).

He vows to make streams flow on barren hills and cause abundant fruit trees and green pastures to grow (Ezekiel 36:29-30).

What was desolate will become fertile. God reassuringly concludes: “I will call for the grain and make it plentiful… I will increase the fruit of the trees and the crops.” (Ezekiel 36:29-30). Clearly, rain signals the spiritual and agricultural renewal of a decimated land.

Just as rain transforms dusty wildernesses into lush gardens, God’s blessings transform broken lives into vibrant growth.

The Bible also depicts rain dissolving doors of death. In Genesis 7:11 and 2 Kings 7:2, 19, torrents of rain open barriers, allowing entrance and exit. This dissolution of death speaks to rain’s regenerative capacity to overcome mortal limitations. Truly, “rain… makes things born and grow”, as T.S.

Eliot reflected.¹ From Noah emerging into a regenerated world to Ezekiel’s transformed wastelands to baptism’s new life, rain signifies the death of the corrupt old and birth of the pure new.

Finding Hope and Comfort in the Midst of Grief

God’s Compassion for those Who Mourn

The Bible reminds us that God is near to those who are brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit (Psalm 34:18).

In our grief, we can find refuge in His compassion and care. Scriptures like Matthew 5:4 declare “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

” God promises to be with us in our sorrow to bring us consolation.

God’s Faithfulness and the Promise of Eternal Life

The grief of death reminds us that this world is not our final home. But God reassures us of the hope of heaven and resurrection to come through faith in Christ.

Passages like 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 urge us to find encouragement in this, rather than sorrow without hope.

Rain Reminds Us of God’s Sustaining Presence

The sight and sound of falling rain, though it may prompt grief at a funeral, can also stir hope within us.

Rain symbolizes God’s provision and blessings from heaven (Leviticus 26:4). It reminds us of His constant, sustaining presence caring for our needs even in the valley of sorrow and death’s shadow.

Ecclesiastes 12:6-7 poetically describes our mortality, but urges us to remember our Creator before life’s final “rainfall.” We can be assured that underneath are His everlasting arms (Deuteronomy 33:27).

The rain at a funeral reassures us that though death brings grief, God still reigns, providing grace to the mourning and hope for eternal life.

Conclusion

Although the Bible does not specifically address rain falling at a funeral, Scripture contains many symbolic references to rain as blessing, favor, purification, and new life.

For grieving loved ones, these passages offer comfort by pointing to God’s abiding presence and hope in His promise of eternal life.

Whether rain or shine, God remains faithful, walking with us through even our darkest valleys of grief and loss.