" I will be as the dew unto Israel: he shall grow as the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon. " - Hosea 14:5
INTRODUCTION
Born and brought up in a tropical climate, it has always been a fascination to watch the snowfall, the quiet yet refreshing weather. To enjoy the serenity, people of the country choose to travel across the borders during the month of November-December to enjoy the fresh snowy environment. In the Bible, the dew was first mentioned in Genesis 2:6, God initially, watered the ground not with rain, but with the mist. And by this, the earth was softened enough to nourish the plants that were already created and the seeds that they might produce new plants. As we are into the second month of the year, the promise verse that God has given us is taken from the book of Hosea, (14:5) which says, "AND I WILL BE AS THE DEW UNTO ISRAEL, HE SHALL GROW AS THE LILY, AND CAST FORTH HIS ROOTS AS LEBANON."
THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL.
God's words appeared to Prophet Hosea, which called the Children of Israel that worshipped idols to return to the true God, the God of their forefathers. As they chose to walk in the ways of their neighbors in complete wickedness, God's anger fumed against them, and He withhold every blessing that He claimed to bless them with. The land of Israel has lost its peace and prosperity, the enemy kingdoms captured their people in slavery, demolished their buildings and fortified cities, and took all their wealth. Ages after ages, God was repeatedly in call for His people to reunite with Him in utmost obedience and fear for His holy name.
Few rejected the call but many turned to His grace. Every day, we are passing through a lot of Christian messages on Television, the Internet, blogs, and even through songs, yet a small number of hearts are being attracted to the word of God. The probability of receiving the grace of God is always lesser than the actual number of people that listen. But, to us who yearns day and night to walk in truth, God says I will be with you like how I was with the people of Israel.
a) DEW OF THE DESERT SIN [DEW OF SATISFACTION]
When the dew was gone, thin flakes like frost on the ground appeared on the desert floor. (Ex 16:14)
The Israelites had a closer memorable connection to mists. During the period of Slavery in Egypt, God sent a redeemer called Moses, to redeem His people from the bondage of Pharoh and his people. Through Moses, God performed wondrous signs and miracles that the earth has never witnessed it ever before. Starting from the different kinds of plagues until the separation of the Red sea, the hand of God was powerful and mighty against the Egyptians. The almighty God went ahead of them by the Pillar of cloud at daytime and by the pillar of fire during the night. After crossing the Red sea, the Israelites pitched their tents in the desert called Sin. Tirelessly walking for a long number of days, running from their enemies, they all were weak and weary of the heat and dryness of the desert. So, the whole community grumbled against their head Moses. They started quarreling with Moses and Aaron for food and meat.
As Moses rushed to the Lord with the petition God answered Him to meet their demand. That evening God sent countless Quail to their camps and the next day as the ground was covered with snow and when the snow left, thin flakes like frost on the ground called Manna appeared on the desert floor. (Ex 16) Isn't that great evidence of God's love for his people? At the time of their needs, even when Moses doubted and was scared to provide for the huge population, it was the hand of God that fed them. That is the reason the bible asks, "Is anything too hard for the Lord? (Jer 32:27) God can meet your needs and keep you filled even in the sun-scorched dry land.
Let's look into the life of Elijah, Elijah, the mighty servant of God was led to a place called Zarephath to be fed. Elijah was asked by the Lord to move from the place because Elijah condemned King Ahab and his wife Quen Jezebel who guided the nation into rampant idolatry, So God was withholding rain from Israel to prove that it is He who gives rain. Ps (147:16) On God's guidance Elijah left the place and moved to Zarepath, which is a small town out of Israel. While entering the place Elijah found a widow who was collecting the sticks from the ground. Seeing her, he went to her and asked for food to which she replied desperately that she has only a few handfuls of flour that she has kept for her son and for herself to eat and die. Understanding the pain of poverty and the agony of not being able to provide for her son, Elijah still insisted that she make some food for him st the first place and the woman obeyed.
Consider, the lives of both Elijah and the woman, look at their trials of lives. One was sent to be fed to a poor widow while the other had nothing left except a little for themselves. We can see that both the characters firstly obeyed and trusted God. Sometimes God puts us also in situations that can never be understood by a human mind. He demands an act of obedience without questioning and that's where Faith plays along. We all have a Godly mentor or a spiritual counselor or a praying brother/sister in our circle. When God puts a word for us to be conveyed, how many times did we listen to it wholeheartedly with mumbling and grumbling? I have seen a lot of people inquiring about things so much that I eventually stop conveying God's message for them at a certain point. I've seen disobedience. mocking and lack of faith in God's words. And when trouble hits these people, they tend to lose hope and fall miserable. My dear readers, God loves a devoted and honoring heart. Remember David was called a man after God's own heart just for his submissive nature.
And afterward, and she went and did as Elijah said. And she and he and her household ate for many days. The jar of flour was not spent, neither did the jug of oil become empty, That is the gracious and loving hand of God. Bible says, "Ask and you will receive it." and All who asks receives abundantly from God. Do not look at your depressing situations, because we have a God who can change anything and everything for our good. God will satisfy with whatever your heart longs for today.
b) DEW OF HERMON [ DEW OF BLESSINGS]
As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life forevermore. (Ps 133:3)
Mount Hermon (or “sacred mountain”) is the highest mountain in ancient Israel, boasting majestic, snowcapped peaks rising just over 9,000 feet above the sea. The Psalmist sings that like the dew that covers the Hermon, the blessings of the Lord cover his people.
In the book of Genesis 49, we can read Jacob (Israel) was blessing all the twelve sons before his death. In verses 22-26, Jacob blessed his beloved son Joseph,
"By the God of your father who will help you,
And by the Almighty who will bless you
With blessings of heaven above,
Blessings of the deep that lies beneath,
Blessings of the breasts and the womb.
The blessings of your father
Have excelled in the blessings of my ancestors,
Up to the utmost bound of the everlasting hills.
They shall be on the head of Joseph,
And on the crown of the head of him who was separate from his brothers."
The tribe of Joseph was blessed with
BLESSINGS OF HEAVEN ABOVE
Hosea 6:3 says, " Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth."
Though the initial stages of Joseph's life were miserable, the promises of God in Joseph's life were fulfilled and God blessed Joseph abundantly for his faithfulness. In the same way, you too are going to be blessed for your faithfulness. In all the seasons, the Israelites enjoyed the blessings of Heaven from the Heavenly Father.
In the same way, as said in Deu 28:12 The LORD will open the heavens, the storehouse of his bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands. You will lend to many nations but will borrow from none.
God blessed the works of Joseph right in the Potiphar's house, in prison, and even in the house of Pharoah. Joseph lend food to all the people who came to him. He even fed his brothers, father, and his people.
2. BLESSINGS OF DEEP THAT LIES BENEATH
Blessings deep under the lakes, rivers as mentioned in the bible are nothing but the blessings you missed or blessings that are hidden.
Once upon a time, the disciples of Prophet Elisha went to the river Jordan to cut some woods for them to build a place to live. As they were cutting trees, suddenly one of the men's ax heads which he borrowed fell into the river. The man started crying in the fear of the lender. At that moment, Elisha came and asked the man for the place he lost, the man showed it to Elisha and it was deep under the water. Looking at the place, Elisha cut a block of wood and dropped it right in the place it was lost, a few minutes later, to everyone's surprise, the ax came up and floated and thus the man retrieved his lost ax.
Joseph lost the vision and purpose for some time in his life. His life was nothing like the two astounding dreams he had during childhood. But, as he trusted God, God lead Joseph into his purpose thus making the dream come true. Similarly, God will also help you with all that you have lost and will repay you doubly.
Similarly, when Peter's toil of the night was useless in catching fishes, Lord Jesus took him deeper, so that Peter could catch numerous fishes that were hidden.
3. BLESSINGS OF ANCESTORS
This is a generational blessing. God is a God who is faithful unto 1000 generations. It's for the faith and faithfulness of Abraham, God showered His mercy unto his generations. For the obedience of King David, his clan was established upon the throne of Israel. On the same account, you and your generations will be blessed by the Faithful God of Israel. I would like to quote two verses, that we indeed are under the blessings that Abraham and David received.
So those who rely on faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith. Gal 3:9
I will make an everlasting covenant with you, my faithful love promised to David. Is 55:3
HE SHALL GROW LIKE LILY AND CAST FORTH HIS ROOTS AS LEBANON
If only, one takes a visit to the Lily field he/she can enjoy its divine beauty and the pleasant fragrance. Lord Jesus in Matthew 6 says, that God clothed these flowers in absolute glory lesser than that of King Solomon. This is the field where the beloved and the maiden spend most of their time in the Songs of Solomon. Lilies are the symbol of purity, divinity, and glory. If you look at a lily flower, its head always looks down the bottom stating its humility before the creator. Likewise, when we root stronger and deeper in Christ, the essence and fragrance of Christ rules us and change us into a pleasing aroma.
The trees of the LORD are well watered, the cedars of Lebanon that he planted. Ps 104:16
In ancient times, cedarwood was especially desirable for its aromatic qualities as well as its resistance to decay and bugs. Lebanon was known for its magnificent cedars and was once heavily forested with them. Cedar was a major export and source of wealth. God will bless you like the strong cedars of Lebanon and you will be eternally glorified.
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