Heaven's Dew

​Reminders that autumn is close by are popping up around us.  Stores are filled with school supplies and fall decorations.  College students are preparing to return to their classes in a week or two.  Fields of pumpkin vines are dotted with large orange fruit, ready to be picked.  However, one of the surest signs of the change of season may not be so obvious.  By the end of August the evening temperatures are dropping, making plant and lawn surfaces cool.  As a result, the atmospheric moisture condenses on the surfaces below.  We call this dew.  The dew returns after a long hot summer to refresh the earth.

The Old Testament has much to say about dew.  It is a sure sign of God's favor.  In fact, when God has His discussion with Job about all that He has created He asks, "Who fathers the drops of dew?" (Job 38:28)  God is the author and giver of dew.  The first time dew is mentioned in the Bible is in Genesis 27 when Jacob deceived his blind father, Isaac.  He sought the blessing of a first-born son and pretended to be his brother Esau in order to obtain it.  Here is the blessing spoken over him:  "May God give you of heaven's dew and of earth's richness--an abundance of grain and new wine.  May nations serve you and peoples bow down to you.  Be lord over your brothers, and may the sons of your mother bow down to you.  May those who curse you be cursed and those who bless you be blessed." (Genesis 27:28-29)

We see that the Israelites associated dew with blessing.  When Moses pronounced blessings over each tribe of Israel this is what he said to Joseph: "May the Lord bless his land with the precious dew from heaven above and with the deep waters that lie below...with the best gifts of the earth and its fullness and the favor of him who dwelt in the burning bush." (Deuteronomy 33:13-16)

King David makes a comparison between the blessing of harmony among brothers and the blessing of dew:  "How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!  It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mt. Zion.  For there the Lord bestows His blessing, even life forevermore." (Psalm 133:1, 3) Mount Hermon, the highest mountain in Israel, was known for its heavy dew.  Because of this dew, the land was, and still is, very fruitful.  

There are other Scriptures that talk about dew, but one of my favorites is found in the book of Micah.  The prophet portrays God as one who both judges and shows mercy.  Despite the fact that the Assyrians invaded and destroyed both the northern and southern kingdoms of Israel, God's plan was for deliverance.  "...He will deliver us from the Assyrian when he invades our land and marches into our borders.  The remnant of Jacob will be in the midst of many people like dew from the Lord..." (Micah 5:6-7)

Doesn't this verse in Micah paint an interesting picture?  Even though most of the children of Israel went astray by rejecting God, there was a faithful remnant.  God's intent is to use the faithful ones to touch the nations, interspersing them among those who do not know Him so that they bring transformation.  Just as dew brings refreshing and fruitfulness to the dry, parched ground, God's faithful remnant are to bring life to the lost people around them.  Like heaven's dew, may we be part of God's faithful remnant, soaking those around us with the Lord's amazing love!