Topical Bible: The Harvest: (Dew In) of God's Protection

◄ The Harvest: (Dew In) of God's Protection ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

In biblical literature, the concept of "dew" often symbolizes divine blessing, favor, and protection. This imagery is particularly poignant in the context of the harvest, where dew is seen as a vital source of nourishment and sustenance for crops, especially in arid regions where rain is scarce. The dew, therefore, becomes a metaphor for God's providential care and protection over His people.

Biblical References and Symbolism

The Bible frequently uses agricultural metaphors to convey spiritual truths, and dew is no exception. In Deuteronomy 33:28, the blessing of dew is associated with security and abundance: "So Israel dwells securely; the fountain of Jacob lives untroubled in a land of grain and new wine, where even the heavens drip with dew." Here, dew represents the divine provision that ensures the safety and prosperity of Israel.

In the book of Hosea, dew is used to illustrate the transient nature of Israel's faithfulness, but it also underscores the potential for renewal and divine mercy. Hosea 14:5 states, "I will be like the dew to Israel; he will blossom like the lily and take root like the cedars of Lebanon." This passage highlights God's protective and life-giving presence, promising restoration and growth.

Theological Implications

Theologically, dew as a symbol of God's protection emphasizes His constant and gentle care. Unlike the torrential rains that can cause destruction, dew provides a quiet and consistent source of moisture, nurturing life in a subtle yet profound way. This reflects the nature of God's protection—often unseen and understated, yet essential and sustaining.

In the context of the harvest, dew signifies the assurance that God will provide for His people, even when circumstances seem dire. It is a reminder of His faithfulness and the promise that He will not abandon those who trust in Him. The dew's regular appearance each morning can be seen as a daily testament to God's unwavering commitment to His creation.

Practical Application

For believers, the imagery of dew in the harvest serves as an encouragement to rely on God's protection and provision. It calls for a trust in His timing and methods, recognizing that His ways are often gentle and gradual, yet profoundly effective. This trust is cultivated through prayer, meditation on Scripture, and a life of obedience and faithfulness.

In times of spiritual drought or uncertainty, the metaphor of dew reassures believers of God's presence and care. It invites them to look beyond immediate circumstances and to rest in the knowledge that God is at work, nurturing and sustaining them in ways that may not always be visible but are nonetheless real and powerful.

Conclusion

The harvest, enriched by the dew of God's protection, is a powerful biblical image that encapsulates the themes of divine care, provision, and faithfulness. It serves as a reminder of the gentle yet profound ways in which God sustains His people, encouraging them to trust in His unfailing love and to remain steadfast in their faith. As the dew nourishes the earth, so does God's protection nurture the soul, ensuring that His purposes will be fulfilled in the lives of those who seek Him.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 18:4
For so the LORD said to me, I will take my rest, and I will consider in my dwelling place like a clear heat on herbs, and like a cloud of dew in the heat of harvest.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Fresh Supplies of Power.
... of the vine, and the richness of the grain harvest are used ... to you and to me as the
dew is to ... or drafts or otherwise:"these are sins against God's will for ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on power/fresh supplies of power.htm

"The Lord is Risen"
... Christ the first fruits represented the great spiritual harvest to be ... those who had
been co-laborers with God, and who ... ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 81 the lord is.htm

The Touchstone of Godly Sincerity
... with orient pearl; will it pass away like that dew? ... The river of God rolls on with
undiminished volume and ... to secure his gifts, to reap the harvest be provides ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/the touchstone of godly sincerity.htm

Treatise v. An Address to Demetrianus.
... has not so much heat for cherishing the harvest; nor in ... therefore the heavens shall
be stayed from dew, and the ... voice of man and the power of God, feeling the ...
/.../cyprian/the treatises of cyprian/treatise v an address to.htm

Heralds of the Morning.
... dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs ... God saw that many of His professed
people were not building for ... of the Son of man "to reap the harvest of the ...
/.../the great controversy between christ and satan /17 heralds of the morning.htm

Heralds of the Morning
... dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs ... God saw that many of His professed
people were not building for ... of the Son of man to reap "the harvest of the ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 17 heralds of the.htm

"My Garden" --"His Garden"
... were some parts of the field where the harvest was as ... Drop from above, as gently
as the dew, or come like rattling hail, but do come, blest Spirit of God! ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 42 1896/my gardenhis garden.htm

"Let us Pray"
... scattered his seed, and he too, saw a harvest, and the ... work, except you have first
entreated that the dew of heaven ... let us ask, let us plead with God, that the ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 6 1860/let us pray.htm

The First Book
... by the daily ministry of the stars, the dew of sweet ... Perhaps at this juncture you
may answer that God did once ... But we reap fields full of grain at the harvest. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/salvian/on the government of god/the first book.htm

The Holy City; Or, the New Jerusalem:
... 'As the dew of Hermon that descended upon the mountains of Zion ... Third. And now for
the third particular, namely, What it is to descend out of heaven from God. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the holy city or the.htm