Hosea 14:5-7 I will be as the dew to Israel: he shall grow as the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon.… This comparison of the dew is made use of for illustration in sundry places of Scripture (Hosea 6:4; Psalm 110:3; Micah 5:7; Psalm 133:1, 3). I. WHAT LIKENESS IS THERE BETWEEN JESUS CHRIST AND THE DEW? The dew has six properties, all fitly applicable, without straining, to the Lord Jesus Christ. 1. The dew is Divine and heaven-born. 2. The dew descends, comes down. 3. The manner of the descending of the dew is not observable. It descends silently, makes no noise. 4. It is the nature of the dew to soften as far as it goes. 5. The dew moistens. 6. The dew makes fruitful. II. WHO IS THE ISRAEL TO WHOM HE WILL BE AS THE DEW? There is a twofold Israel spoken of. Israel the person, Israel the people: this includes Israel according to the flesh, and Israel according to the spirit. Understand this latter. 1. Of the Gospel Church in general, and 2. Of particular believing souls. III. WHEN ESPECIALLY HAVE WE NEED OF THIS DEW? 1. We have all need of it while we are in an unconverted state and condition. 2. When the conscience is parched at any time with the sense of guilt, through some wilful omission or commission. 3. Under the withdrawings of the light of God's countenance. 4. When a fit of barrenness prevails, through the stirrings of some corruption, the success of some temptation, or through the want of quickening means and ordinances, the Word, sacraments, Sabbaths, solemn assemblies. 5. In a time of outward trouble and calamity. 6. When we come to die. 7. When we go to an ordinance. The dew is necessary to prepare the ground for the plough. 8. When we have been to an ordinance. IV. WHAT IS OUR DUTY IN REFERENCE TO THIS? 1. Mix faith with it, as a Divine truth; that there is certainly such a thing as this dew, and that the Lord Jesus Christ is in it. 2. Be more sensible of your need of it every day in everything. 3. Ask it of God; and having asked it, expect and wait for it, in the use of appointed means. 4. Observe whence all your spiritual refreshments come, and all your fruit. It is from Christ as your dew; and let Him have the glory of it. (Philip Henry.) Parallel Verses KJV: I will be as the dew unto Israel: he shall grow as the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon. |
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