Dictionary of Bible Themes: 4970 seasons, of the year

4970 seasons, of the year

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Dictionary of Bible Themes » 4000 Creation » 4900 Time » 4969 seasons » 4970 seasons, of the year

Distinctive periods of the year marked by certain climatic conditions. Seasons are examples of God's perfect order in the world. They represent the balanced cycle of creation which is sustained by God and through which his provision and mercy are made known.

Seasons are appointed by God

Seasons are created by God

Psalm 74:16-17 See also Genesis 1:14; Genesis 8:22; Psalm 104:19

Seasons are sustained by God

Jeremiah 5:24 See also Job 38:32-33; Ezekiel 34:26; Acts 14:17

The agricultural seasons of Palestine

The dry and rainy seasons

Joel 2:23 The rainy season, accounting for over 90 per cent of the national rainfall, runs from October to March/April. Its beginning is marked by the autumn rains in October/November; the lighter spring showers in April/May announce the coming of the dry season. See also Ezra 10:13; Hosea 6:3; James 5:7

Israel's continued enjoyment of seasonal blessings was conditional upon her obedience:

Leviticus 26:3-4; Deuteronomy 11:13-14; Deuteronomy 28:12

Seedtime and harvest

Proverbs 20:4 Ploughing and sowing take place from October to December when the autumn rains have begun to soften the ground. Most crops are harvested between April and June. See also Exodus 34:21; Numbers 13:20; Job 5:26; Psalm 1:3

Spring

Spring rain as a sign of blessing

Job 29:23 The gentle spring rains signal the approach of harvest; Proverbs 16:15; Jeremiah 3:3; Zechariah 10:1

Spring as a time of growth

Songs 2:11-13 Spring marks a pleasant interval between the heavy winter rains and the onset of the dry season. See also Proverbs 27:25; Joel 2:22; Matthew 24:32 pp Mark 13:28 pp Luke 21:29-30

Spring as a time for war

2 Samuel 11:1 pp 1 Chronicles 20:1 The time following the spring harvest (May/June), when agricultural commitments are reduced; 1 Kings 20:26; 2 Kings 13:20

Festivals celebrated in spring

Leviticus 23:5-6 pp Numbers 28:16-17 Passover and Unleavened Bread; Leviticus 23:10 offering the firstfruits of the barley harvest; Leviticus 23:15-16 pp Deuteronomy 16:9-10 The Feast of Weeks celebrated the ingathering of the grain harvest.

Summer

A period of intense heat

Psalm 32:4 See also Job 6:17

A time for harvesting summer fruit

Jeremiah 8:20 See also Proverbs 10:5; Jeremiah 40:10-12 Grapes, olives and figs are harvested in July/September; Micah 7:1

A time to store harvested grain

Proverbs 6:8; Proverbs 30:25

Autumn

The breaking of the summer drought

Psalm 84:6 Autumn is the start of the rainy season and corresponds to the time of ploughing and sowing.

Festivals celebrated in autumn

See also Leviticus 23:24 pp Numbers 29:1 the Feast of Trumpets; Leviticus 23:27 pp Numbers 29:7 the Day of Atonement; Leviticus 23:34 pp Numbers 29:12 the Feast of Tabernacles

Winter

A time of inclement weather

Job 37:6-10 See also Isaiah 55:10; Jeremiah 36:22

A time when travelling is difficult

Matthew 24:20 pp Mark 13:18; 2 Timothy 4:21; Acts 27:12; 1 Corinthians 16:6; Titus 3:12

Celebration of the Feast of Dedication

John 10:22 The Feast of Dedication (Hannukah) commemorates the rededication of the temple by Judas Maccabeus in 165 B.C.