The term "morning-watch" refers to a specific time of day in biblical times, often associated with prayer, meditation, and divine intervention. In ancient Israel, the night was divided into three or four watches, with the morning-watch being the last one, typically occurring just before dawn. This period was considered a time of heightened spiritual activity and attentiveness to God's presence.

Biblical References:

1. Exodus 14:24 : "During the last watch of the night, the LORD looked down from the pillar of fire and cloud at the Egyptian army and threw it into confusion." This passage highlights the morning-watch as a time when God actively intervened on behalf of the Israelites, leading to their deliverance from the Egyptians at the Red Sea.

2. 1 Samuel 11:11 : "The next day Saul separated his men into three divisions; during the morning watch they invaded the camp of the Ammonites and slaughtered them until the heat of the day." Here, the morning-watch is depicted as a strategic time for military action, resulting in a decisive victory for Israel under King Saul's leadership.

3. Psalm 130:6 : "My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning—more than watchmen wait for the morning." This verse uses the imagery of the morning-watch to express a deep longing and anticipation for God's presence and deliverance, akin to the watchmen eagerly awaiting the dawn.

Spiritual Significance:

The morning-watch holds significant spiritual meaning as a time for believers to seek God earnestly. It is often associated with prayer and reflection, as the quiet and stillness of the early morning provide an ideal setting for communion with God. The anticipation of the morning light symbolizes hope, renewal, and the faithfulness of God, who brings new mercies with each day.

Historical Context:

In the context of ancient Israel, the division of the night into watches was a practical measure for maintaining security and vigilance. The morning-watch, being the final watch, was a critical time for watchmen to remain alert as the night transitioned into day. This period was marked by a sense of expectancy, as the first light of dawn signaled the end of darkness and the beginning of a new day.

Application for Believers:

For contemporary believers, the concept of the morning-watch can serve as an inspiration for setting aside time in the early hours for prayer, Bible study, and reflection. It encourages a disciplined spiritual practice that prioritizes seeking God's guidance and strength at the start of each day. The morning-watch is a reminder of the importance of spiritual vigilance and the assurance of God's presence and intervention in the lives of His people.

Note on the Morning Watch.
... NOTE ON THE MORNING WATCH. By, the ... In India, in China, in Japan, hundreds of students
have agreed to keep the morning watch.... The practical ...
/.../murray/the school of obedience/note on the morning watch.htm

The Morning Watch in the Life of Obedience.
... IV. The Morning Watch in the Life of Obedience. ... I would fain point out how intimate
and vital the connection between obedience and the morning watch is. ...
/.../murray/the school of obedience/iv the morning watch in.htm

Psalm CXXX.
... deceive. "My soul hath trusted in the Lord, from the morning watch even unto
night" (ver.5). This morning watch is the end of night. ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm cxxx.htm

De Profundis.
... His word is my trust. My soul fleeth unto the Lord before the morning watch:
I say, before the morning watch. O Israel, trust in ...
/.../kingsley/westminster sermons/sermon xxiii de profundis.htm

Koph.
... [5341]. 146. The Church saith also what followeth, "Mine eyes have prevented the
morning watch, that I might meditate on Thy words" (ver.148). ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/koph.htm

The Secret Walk with God (I. ).
... One thing assuredly you can do: you can, if you will, secure a real "Morning
Watch" before your day's work begins. I do not say it is easy. ...
/.../moule/to my younger brethren/chapter i the secret walk.htm

A Path in the Sea
... And it came to pass, that in the morning watch the Lord looked unto the host of
the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and of the cloud, and troubled the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/a path in the sea.htm

How a Private Man must Begin the Morning with Piety.
... cxxx.6;) and as soon as thou awakest say to him thus: My soul waiteth on thee,
O Lord, more than the morning watch watcheth for the morning! ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bayly/the practice of piety/how a private man must.htm

Psalm 130
... that fear'd thou mayest be. ^5I wait for God, my soul doth wait,. my hope is in
his word. ^6More than they that for morning watch,. my soul waits for the Lord; ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/scottish psalter and paraphrases/psalm 130.htm

I Suspect I have Been Allotting Habitually Too Little Time to ...
... It is said that Mr. Moody, at a time when no other place was available, kept his
morning watch in the coal-shed, pouring out his heart to God, and finding in ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bounds/purpose in prayer/chapter vii i suspect i.htm

Morning-watch (2 Occurrences)
Morning-watch. Morning-star, Morning-watch. Morose . Multi-Version
Concordance Morning-watch (2 Occurrences). Exodus ...
/m/morning-watch.htm - 7k

Watch (203 Occurrences)
... in the legislature. 14. (vt) To tend; to guard; to have in keeping. Int.
Standard Bible Encyclopedia. MORNINGWATCH. ash-moreth ha ...
/w/watch.htm - 40k

Morning (264 Occurrences)
... Morning as an adjective is orthrinos (Revelation 22:16), or proinos (1 Esdras
1:11; 5:50; Revelation 2:28; Revelation 22:16). H. Porter. MORNINGWATCH. ...
/m/morning.htm - 44k

Watches (23 Occurrences)
... originally three in number, (1) "the beginning of the watches" (Lamentations 2:19);
(2) "the middle watch" (Judges 7:19); and (3) "the morningwatch" (Exodus 14 ...
/w/watches.htm - 14k

Troubleth (12 Occurrences)
... Exodus 14:24 and it cometh to pass, in the morningwatch, that Jehovah looketh unto
the camp of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and of the cloud, and ...
/t/troubleth.htm - 9k

Embarrassed (5 Occurrences)
... Exodus 14:24 And it came to pass in the morningwatch, that Jehovah looked upon
the camp of the Egyptians, in the pillar of fire and of the cloud, and ...
/e/embarrassed.htm - 8k

Detachments (7 Occurrences)
... it cometh to pass, on the morrow, that Saul putteth the people in three detachments,
and they come into the midst of the camp in the morning-watch, and smite ...
/d/detachments.htm - 8k

Disposed (16 Occurrences)
... 11:11 And it was so on the morrow, that Saul disposed the people in three companies;
and they came into the midst of the host in the morning-watch, and slew ...
/d/disposed.htm - 11k

Discomfited (12 Occurrences)
... Exodus 14:24 And it came to pass in the morningwatch, that Jehovah looked forth
upon the host of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and of cloud, and ...
/d/discomfited.htm - 10k

Morose (2 Occurrences)

/m/morose.htm - 7k

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