Grass: Destroyed by Drought
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In the biblical context, grass often symbolizes the transient nature of life and the dependence of creation on God's provision. The destruction of grass by drought serves as a powerful metaphor for divine judgment and the consequences of human disobedience. Throughout Scripture, drought is depicted as a tool used by God to discipline His people, reminding them of their reliance on Him for sustenance and life.

Biblical References:

1. Judgment and Warning: In the Old Testament, drought is frequently associated with God's judgment upon the land due to the people's unfaithfulness. In Deuteronomy 28:23-24 , God warns the Israelites of the consequences of disobedience: "The sky over your head will be bronze, and the earth beneath you iron. The LORD will turn the rain of your land into dust and powder; it will descend on you from the sky until you are destroyed." This passage highlights the severity of drought as a divine response to sin, leading to the destruction of grass and crops.

2. Symbol of Frailty: The ephemeral nature of grass is used to illustrate human frailty and the fleeting nature of life. Isaiah 40:6-8 states, "All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flowers of the field. The grass withers and the flowers fall when the breath of the LORD blows on them; indeed, the people are grass. The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever." Here, the withering of grass underlines the impermanence of human life compared to the eternal word of God.

3. Call to Repentance: The destruction of grass by drought serves as a call to repentance and a return to God. In 1 Kings 17, the prophet Elijah declares a drought over Israel as a judgment against King Ahab's idolatry. This event underscores the need for the nation to turn back to God and seek His mercy and provision.

4. Restoration and Hope: Despite the harsh imagery of drought, Scripture also offers hope for restoration. Joel 2:23-24 promises, "Be glad, O children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God, for He has given you the autumn rains for your vindication. He sends you showers, both autumn and spring rains, as before. The threshing floors will be full of grain, and the vats will overflow with new wine and oil." This passage assures the faithful that God will restore the land and its produce when His people return to Him.

5. Dependence on God: The destruction of grass by drought ultimately points to humanity's dependence on God for life and sustenance. Psalm 104:14 acknowledges God's provision: "He makes the grass grow for the livestock and provides crops for man to cultivate, bringing forth food from the earth." This verse emphasizes that all creation relies on God's continuous care and provision.

In summary, the theme of grass destroyed by drought in the Bible serves as a vivid reminder of the consequences of turning away from God, the frailty of human life, and the hope of restoration through repentance and faithfulness.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
1 Kings 17:1
And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said to Ahab, As the LORD God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Kings 18:5
And Ahab said to Obadiah, Go into the land, to all fountains of water, and to all brooks: peradventure we may find grass to save the horses and mules alive, that we lose not all the beasts.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Locust-Swarms
... For where the wild grass plains are broken up and properly ... is angry with you, and
he has sent the drought. ... is angry with you, and she has destroyed the seeds ...
/.../kingsley/the good news of god/sermon xx the locust-swarms.htm

Rhapsody
... JEREMIAH'S RHAPSODY OF THE DROUGHT. ... field calveth, and forsaketh her young, because
there is no grass. ... stretched out my hand against thee, and destroyed thee; I ...
/.../various/select masterpieces of biblical literature/rhapsody.htm

The Voice of Stern Rebuke
... Through the long years of drought and famine, Elijah prayed ... And I will send grass
in thy fields for thy ... down upon thee, until thou be destroyed." Deuteronomy 28 ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 10 the voice of.htm

A Letter from a West Indian Cottage Ornee
... raged over the island during the long drought of this ... contrast with the uniform green
of leaf and grass. ... or public park, close by, is being destroyed by hordes ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter v a letter from.htm

The Cedars of Lebanon.
... Some say that modern science has destroyed it ... will be angry with us; and curse us
with drought and blight ... The grass for the use of cattle, and the green herb for ...
/.../kingsley/westminster sermons/sermon xvi the cedars of.htm

On the Departure of Flavian, Bishop of Antioch, who was Gone on an ...
... that city was about to be destroyed, even the ... Another prophet bewailing the evils
of drought again speaks to ... fields and forsook it, because there was no grass. ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/homily iii on the departure.htm

Treatise v. An Address to Demetrianus.
... and the olive deceive, and the field parched with grass dying with drought should
wither ... little ones and the women, that they may be utterly destroyed. ...
/.../cyprian/the treatises of cyprian/treatise v an address to.htm

Down the Islands
... The rest has been long since destroyed by rains ... with bright green cane, and
guinea-grass, and pigeon pea ... their difficulties, in spite of drought, hurricane, ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter ii down the islands.htm

Man Proposes, God Disposes
... medicines and many of the instruments were entirely destroyed. ... to pass was suffering
much from drought; it was ... exhausted, I sank down on the grass and fainted ...
//christianbookshelf.org/taylor/a retrospect/chapter xiii man proposes god.htm

The Israelites
... When want of rain has brought drought upon Canaan, parching the grass and destroying ...
cities, but he could not restore what he had destroyed, or organise ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter i the israelites.htm

Resources
What is Romanticism? How has Romanticism affected Christianity? | GotQuestions.org

What was a shepherd in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Does God need us? | GotQuestions.org

Grass: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Subtopics

Grass

Grass of Prosperity of the Wicked

Grass of Shortness and Uncertainty of Life

Grass: (On Tops of Houses) the Wicked

Grass: (Refreshed by Dew and Showers) the Saints Refreshed By

Grass: A Green Herb

Grass: Called: Grass of the Earth

Grass: Called: Grass of the Field

Grass: Cattle Fed Upon

Grass: Created on the Third Creative Day

Grass: Destroyed by Drought

Grass: Destroyed by Hail and Lightning

Grass: Destroyed by Locusts

Grass: Failure of, a Great Calamity

Grass: Figurative

Grass: God: Adorns and Clothes

Grass: God: Causes to Grow

Grass: God: Originally Created

Grass: God: The Giver of

Grass: God's Care of

Grass: Mown

Grass: Often Grew on the Tops of Houses

Grass: On Roofs of Houses

Grass: Ovens often Heated With

Grass: Refreshed by Rain and Dew

Grass: Springs out of the Earth

Grass: Sufferings of Cattle from Failure of, Described

Grass: when Young, Soft and Tender

Related Terms

Grass-lands (42 Occurrences)

Grass-land (9 Occurrences)

River-grass (3 Occurrences)

Reed-grass (3 Occurrences)

Grass's (1 Occurrence)

Sea-grass (1 Occurrence)

Vegetation (18 Occurrences)

Meadow (8 Occurrences)

Withers (20 Occurrences)

Taker (26 Occurrences)

Graze (11 Occurrences)

Greenness (4 Occurrences)

Withereth (13 Occurrences)

Mown (2 Occurrences)

Withered (46 Occurrences)

Drenched (11 Occurrences)

Mowing (1 Occurrence)

Stems (31 Occurrences)

Flower (33 Occurrences)

Wither (30 Occurrences)

Roofs (13 Occurrences)

Mow (1 Occurrence)

Blighted (6 Occurrences)

Scorched (21 Occurrences)

Sprout (25 Occurrences)

Lands (226 Occurrences)

Wet (25 Occurrences)

Grows (46 Occurrences)

Hay (5 Occurrences)

Grazing (6 Occurrences)

Feeble-handed (3 Occurrences)

Falleth (119 Occurrences)

Townsmen (18 Occurrences)

Darnel (9 Occurrences)

Powerless (19 Occurrences)

Blasted (6 Occurrences)

Shoots (32 Occurrences)

Sprouting (4 Occurrences)

Shorn (5 Occurrences)

Plants (70 Occurrences)

Chaff (24 Occurrences)

Tender (66 Occurrences)

Confounded (64 Occurrences)

Dried (66 Occurrences)

Bethsaida (7 Occurrences)

Bathed (45 Occurrences)

Dew (35 Occurrences)

Oven (22 Occurrences)

Fades (10 Occurrences)

Fadeth (9 Occurrences)

Faded (12 Occurrences)

Ruleth (21 Occurrences)

Reedgrass (1 Occurrence)

Dirty (9 Occurrences)

Producing (20 Occurrences)

Periods (8 Occurrences)

Bent (107 Occurrences)

Blossom (23 Occurrences)

Stump (7 Occurrences)

Showers (20 Occurrences)

Green (72 Occurrences)

Plant (92 Occurrences)

Amid (31 Occurrences)

Thereof (845 Occurrences)

Realm (23 Occurrences)

Stamped (27 Occurrences)

Tops (37 Occurrences)

Groweth (29 Occurrences)

Dismayed (69 Occurrences)

Growing (31 Occurrences)

Growth (77 Occurrences)

Roots (31 Occurrences)

Falls (79 Occurrences)

Roof (55 Occurrences)

Fallen (233 Occurrences)

Dry (217 Occurrences)

Becomes (138 Occurrences)

Trees (179 Occurrences)

Grass: Created on the Third Creative Day
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