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Deuteronomy 32:2
Verse
Context
Sermons
C.H. Spurgeon
Raymond Golsworthy
J.C. PhilpotJ.C. PhilpotSummary
Commentary
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
My doctrine shall drop, &c.--The language may justly be taken as uttered in the form of a wish or prayer, and the comparison of wholesome instruction to the pure, gentle, and insinuating influence of rain or dew, is frequently made by the sacred writers (Isa 5:6; Isa 55:10-11).
John Gill Bible Commentary
My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew,.... Which some, as Aben Ezra, take to be a prayer or wish, that the doctrine spoken by him might fall upon men like rain and dew on the earth, penetrate into their hearts, and influence them, and produce good effects there; but the words rather seem to be a prophecy of what would be: and by his "doctrine" and "speech", which signify the same thing, is meant, not his law, which was fiery, this cooling, like rain and dew; that was like a storm, this as a gentle rain; that was terrible, this desirable; that was distressing, this refreshing, this no other than the Gospel, the speech of God, the doctrine of Christ, the doctrine of grace, and mercy through him, and of life and salvation by him: it has its name from a word, which signifies to "receive" (f); for it was received from God by Moses, and by the prophets after him, by Christ himself, as Mediator, and by the apostles from him, and is worthy of the acceptation of all: this is comparable to "rain", because, like that, it comes from heaven, is the gift of God, tarries not for man, but comes without any desert of man, and often without his desire; falls by divine direction in places and on persons, as the Lord's will and pleasure is, and that in great plenty, with a fulness of spiritual blessings, and precious promises; and for its effects, it cools the conscience, filled with fiery wrath and indignation, moistens and softens the hard heart, like the dry and parched earth, refreshes and revives the drooping spirit, and makes barren souls fruitful in grace and good works: and it is like "dew", which also is from heaven, and of God, fell in the night of the world; and as that falls in a temperate air, so this, when the stormy dispensation of the law was over; and though but a small thing in the eyes of the world, is of great influence, the power of God unto salvation, very grateful and delightful, and of great moment and importance; hereby the love and favour of God is diffused, the blessings of grace dispensed, the heavenly manna communicated, and the Spirit and his graces received: and this, like rain and dew, "drops" and "distils" silently, not in a noisy manner as the law; insensibly, falling on persons at an unawares, in great abundance, like the drops of rain and dew; and effectually, working in all that believe: dew was a symbol of doctrine with the Egyptians (g): this is further illustrated: as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass: the first of those words for "rain", according to Jarchi, has the signification of a stormy wind, but that seems to contradict the gentle dropping and distilling of it; rather it signifies "hairs" (h), and denotes, as our version, the smallness of the rain, being as small, thin, and light as hairs; and the latter word (i) has the signification of millions and thousands, there being such vast, numbers as those in a shower of rain: the "tender herb" and "grass" may denote the multitude of persons to whom the Gospel would come, and be made useful; and may describe sensible sinners, tender consciences, such as are weak in themselves, with whom it is the day of small things, are newborn babes, little children; who are just springing up in grace, as among the grass, and as willows by the water courses: now all this is said by Moses, to recommend his doctrine, as well as what follows. (f) a "accepit". (g) Hor. Hieroglyph. l. 1. c. 26. (h) a "pilus", Lev. xiii. 10. (i) a "multum", see Psal. cxliv. 13.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
32:2 like rain . . . like dew: This simile shows the refreshing gentleness of Moses’ teaching. It should produce the fruit of obedience in the hearts of God’s people.
Deuteronomy 32:2
The Song of Moses
1Give ear, O heavens, and I will speak; hear, O earth, the words of my mouth. 2Let my teaching fall like rain and my speech settle like dew, like gentle rain on new grass, like showers on tender plants. 3For I will proclaim the name of the LORD. Ascribe greatness to our God!
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- Commentary
Everybody's Sermon
By C.H. Spurgeon3.6K46:17EXO 20:12DEU 32:2PSA 121:1ISA 28:10ISA 45:22HOS 1:6MAT 13:34In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes that even those who are not able to spend much time in nature can still learn from God's creation. He gives examples such as a baker who sees the oven as a reminder of the coming judgment day. The preacher also encourages sinners to open their eyes and be receptive to the messages that God may put in their path. He urges them to consider the Lord as their Creator and to fear and serve Him. The sermon concludes with a personal anecdote about how God spoke to the preacher through the barrenness of winter.
The Doctrine Which Drops as the Rain, and the Speech Which Distills as the Dew
By J.C. Philpot0DEU 32:2PSA 72:6ISA 44:3ISA 45:8HOS 14:5AMO 4:72TI 3:16HEB 3:52PE 1:5J.C. Philpot preaches on Deuteronomy 32:2, highlighting the consequences of unbelief and rebellion as seen in the Israelites' 40 years of wandering in the wilderness. He emphasizes Moses' delivery of blessings, curses, and the gospel in the Book of Deuteronomy, focusing on the doctrine that drops as rain and speech that distills as dew. Philpot explains the doctrine as teaching received from God, emphasizing the greatness of God, the proclamation of the Lord's name, Jesus as the Rock with perfect work, and the preaching of human corruption. He delves into the spiritual meanings of rain, dew, small rain, and showers, illustrating the various degrees of spiritual blessings. Philpot also discusses the tender herb representing a tender conscience and the grass symbolizing the graces of the Spirit. Lastly, he connects the dew, rain, and showers to the production of good thoughts, words, and actions for God's glory and the sanctification of the soul.
Early Lessons for Christ's Disciples
By Raymond Golsworthy0EXO 21:5DEU 32:2PSA 119:18ISA 1:6ISA 52:11ISA 53:6MRK 1:17MRK 9:7MRK 16:15LUK 6:12JHN 1:1JHN 6:63JHN 14:122CO 5:21EPH 5:8EPH 6:11PHP 2:121TI 1:11TIT 2:14HEB 1:31PE 2:241JN 1:1Raymond Golsworthy preaches on the lessons from Mark 1:16-45, focusing on the events that followed Christ's call to His first disciples. The sermon highlights seven vital spiritual lessons illustrated through the disciples' experiences with Jesus, emphasizing the importance of listening to His teachings, recognizing the reality of spiritual warfare, understanding the power of prayer and unity, discerning true versus false testimonies, learning the essential secret of spending time in prayer with the Master, embracing the call to reach out to all in need, and reflecting on the profound cleansing accomplished by Christ's sacrifice on the cross.
The Call and Qualifications for the Ministry
By J.C. Philpot0DEU 32:2EPH 6:19COL 4:31TI 3:6TIT 1:9J.C. Philpot delves into the importance of a divine call and necessary qualifications for the Gospel ministry. He emphasizes that a true call to the ministry involves a deep inward witness from God, a great backwardness to the work, strong leadings in providence, and a willingness to endure suffering and sacrifice. Philpot also discusses the need for grace and gifts as qualifications for the ministry, highlighting the essential experience of the things of God, a clear understanding and defense of truth, and a continual flow of divine life to give power to one's gift.
Heavenly Teaching
By J.C. Philpot0EXO 33:16DEU 32:2JOB 42:5ISA 54:13LUK 11:1JHN 17:3ROM 10:32CO 12:91TH 4:9HEB 12:111JN 2:20J.C. Philpot preaches about the divine teaching of God in the souls of His children, emphasizing the necessity of this heavenly instruction for spiritual growth and understanding. He highlights the four prominent blessings bestowed upon the church in Christ - eternal election, redemption, regeneration, and heavenly teaching, focusing on the promise that 'All your children shall be taught of the Lord.' Philpot delves into the nature and effects of this divine teaching, comparing it to dew, rain, and oil, and its role in helping believers know God and themselves. He stresses that this special teaching leads to a deep knowledge of God, a true understanding of sin, a humble recognition of self, and a genuine faith and love for God and His people.
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
My doctrine shall drop, &c.--The language may justly be taken as uttered in the form of a wish or prayer, and the comparison of wholesome instruction to the pure, gentle, and insinuating influence of rain or dew, is frequently made by the sacred writers (Isa 5:6; Isa 55:10-11).
John Gill Bible Commentary
My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew,.... Which some, as Aben Ezra, take to be a prayer or wish, that the doctrine spoken by him might fall upon men like rain and dew on the earth, penetrate into their hearts, and influence them, and produce good effects there; but the words rather seem to be a prophecy of what would be: and by his "doctrine" and "speech", which signify the same thing, is meant, not his law, which was fiery, this cooling, like rain and dew; that was like a storm, this as a gentle rain; that was terrible, this desirable; that was distressing, this refreshing, this no other than the Gospel, the speech of God, the doctrine of Christ, the doctrine of grace, and mercy through him, and of life and salvation by him: it has its name from a word, which signifies to "receive" (f); for it was received from God by Moses, and by the prophets after him, by Christ himself, as Mediator, and by the apostles from him, and is worthy of the acceptation of all: this is comparable to "rain", because, like that, it comes from heaven, is the gift of God, tarries not for man, but comes without any desert of man, and often without his desire; falls by divine direction in places and on persons, as the Lord's will and pleasure is, and that in great plenty, with a fulness of spiritual blessings, and precious promises; and for its effects, it cools the conscience, filled with fiery wrath and indignation, moistens and softens the hard heart, like the dry and parched earth, refreshes and revives the drooping spirit, and makes barren souls fruitful in grace and good works: and it is like "dew", which also is from heaven, and of God, fell in the night of the world; and as that falls in a temperate air, so this, when the stormy dispensation of the law was over; and though but a small thing in the eyes of the world, is of great influence, the power of God unto salvation, very grateful and delightful, and of great moment and importance; hereby the love and favour of God is diffused, the blessings of grace dispensed, the heavenly manna communicated, and the Spirit and his graces received: and this, like rain and dew, "drops" and "distils" silently, not in a noisy manner as the law; insensibly, falling on persons at an unawares, in great abundance, like the drops of rain and dew; and effectually, working in all that believe: dew was a symbol of doctrine with the Egyptians (g): this is further illustrated: as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass: the first of those words for "rain", according to Jarchi, has the signification of a stormy wind, but that seems to contradict the gentle dropping and distilling of it; rather it signifies "hairs" (h), and denotes, as our version, the smallness of the rain, being as small, thin, and light as hairs; and the latter word (i) has the signification of millions and thousands, there being such vast, numbers as those in a shower of rain: the "tender herb" and "grass" may denote the multitude of persons to whom the Gospel would come, and be made useful; and may describe sensible sinners, tender consciences, such as are weak in themselves, with whom it is the day of small things, are newborn babes, little children; who are just springing up in grace, as among the grass, and as willows by the water courses: now all this is said by Moses, to recommend his doctrine, as well as what follows. (f) a "accepit". (g) Hor. Hieroglyph. l. 1. c. 26. (h) a "pilus", Lev. xiii. 10. (i) a "multum", see Psal. cxliv. 13.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
32:2 like rain . . . like dew: This simile shows the refreshing gentleness of Moses’ teaching. It should produce the fruit of obedience in the hearts of God’s people.