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.… God promised to be as dew to His chosen people. He was so. Their entire history proves it. He was the beauty of their character, their strength in battle, the wisdom of their counsels, the giver of food — as the dew. God is as dew to His people now by the operations of the. Holy Spirit. Dew is a type Of spiritual influence because it is essential. Nature pro vides no substitute. Its operations are mysterious, unlike rain. Its workings are silent. It is one of God's many quiet workers. Its influence is beautify ing. It feeds flowers. It is fertilising. No drink of vegetation is more grateful. I. THE GROWTH OF A GOD-WATERED CHURCH. In nature, stability is never reached rapidly. Strength is always crowned with hoary years. This law affects also the works of man. A new kingdom is feeble; an old one strong. In the growth of a God-watered Church we have a beautiful exception to this law of nature. In it the peculiarities of the lily and the cedar are blended. It has beauty that is not fragile. It has strength that is not of tedious growth. II. THE POWER OF A GOD-WATERED CHURCH. Preachers often say that but two classes of persons inhabit earth — the saved and the unsaved. But the unsaved divide into those who have never known God, and those who have apostatised from Him. A God-watered Church has power with both classes. 1. It has power with the world at large. (1) This power is the power of law. (2) Of loveliness. (3) Of love. 2. It has power with relapsed Christians. (1) They revive as the corn from apparent death. (2) They grow as the vine rapidly. (3) Their growth is towards the fragrance of mature Christian life, holiness, and love. (I. K. Jackson.)God as the dew: — The comfortable, fruitful, sanctifying grace of God is compared to dew. 1. The dew doth come from above. It cannot be commanded by the creature. 2. The dew doth fall insensibly and invisibly. So the grace of God. We feel the comfort, sweetness, and operation of it, but it falls insensibly, without observation. 3. It falls sweetly and mildly, not violating the nature or course of anything, but rather helping and cherishing the same. 4. Grace is compared to dew, in regard of the operations of dew. What effects hath dew upon the earth? (1) It cools the air when it falls, and with coolness it hath a fructifying virtue. (2) The soul is not only cooled and refreshed, but it is also sweetened and made fruitful with comfort to the soul. 5. Dew is irresistible. Nothing can hinder the dew from falling. Use. Let none be discouraged with the deadness, dryness, and barrenness of their own hearts, but let them know that God doth graciously promise, if they will take the Course formerly set down, to be "as the dew unto them." Therefore let them come to the ordinances of God, with wondrous hope, confidence, and faith that He will bless the means of His own ordaining and appointing, for His own ends. ( Sibbes, Richard.) 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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