James 5:18

18 And he prayed again. And the heaven gave rain: and the earth brought forth her fruit.

James 5:18 Meaning and Commentary

James 5:18

And he prayed again
( 1 Kings 18:42 1 Kings 18:43 ) . Here also is no express mention of his prayer, but it may be concluded from his gestures; and so the Jewish interpreters understand these words, "Elijah went up to the top of Carmel", (llpthl) , "to pray, and he cast himself down upon the earth", (Mymvgh le llpthl) , "to pray for rain; and he put his face between his knees", (llpthw) , "and prayed, and said to his servant, go up now, look toward the sea"; and this he said while he was (wtlyptb) , "in his prayers" ^F9: and the effect of this his prayer was,

and the heaven gave rain;
see ( 1 Kings 18:45 ) .

And the earth brought forth her fruit:
which for the years past it had not; hence there was a sore famine in the land, ( 1 Kings 18:2 ) . Now the apostle chose to give this example, because it was a common thing for the Jews to ask for rain: we often read of such a doctor, that he prayed for rain, and it came; and of another, that he asked for the rains, and they descended ^F11: and his view is to observe, that the weakness and infirmities of the saints ought not to discourage them from prayer; and that they should be earnest and fervent in it, as was Elias, a man of like passions with themselves.

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FOOTNOTES:

F9 Jarchi, Kimchi, Ralbag, & Laniado in loc.
F11 T. Bab. Moed Katon, fol. 28. 1. & Taanith, fol. 19. 1. 23. 1. 24. 2. 25. 2. & Yoma, fol. 53. 2.

James 5:18 In-Context

16 Confess therefore your sins one to another: and pray one for another, that you may be saved. For the continual prayer of a just man availeth much.

17 Elias was a man passible like unto us: and with prayer he prayed that it might not rain upon the earth. And it rained not for three years and six months.

18 And he prayed again. And the heaven gave rain: and the earth brought forth her fruit.

19 My brethren, if any of you err from the truth and one convert him:

20 He must know that he who causeth a sinner to be converted from the error of his way shall save his soul from death and shall cover a multitude of sins.