19. Three Negative References

Three Negative References

We have said that whenever the dew was promised it represented the blessing of God for men on earth. We will observe that when it is withheld, a curse was pronounced. The first negative example comes in 2 Samuel 1:21. David laments the death of Saul and Jonathan. He says:

"Ye mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew, neither let there be rain, upon you, nor fields of offerings; for there the shield of the mighty is vilely cast away, the shield of Saul, as though he had not been anointed with oil."

Saul had considered David his enemy, but David never reciprocated the thought. David had been very content to dwell with Saul to help him and the people of Israel in any way possible. But Saul’s jealousy and pride caused him to despise David and treat him badly. David tried to overcome evil with good. Saul and Jonathan were killed, and David pronounced a curse on the place of their death. He lamented for Saul and Jonathan. The second negative example is found in 1 Kings 17:1.

"And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the Lord God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word."

Ahab was an evil king and led the people of Israel in evil ways. There would be three and one half years of famine with no dew or rain. Disobedience to God brings His people into sad conditions. Even king Ahab and his servant were divided, going separate ways looking for food for animals. God’s faithful ones were secretly cared for, but the vast majority of the children of Israel were left to fare however they could. What a lack of practical unity among brethren!

Haggai 1:10 is the third negative example. The people of Israel had been occupied with building their own houses. The Lord’s house had been neglected. In God’s judgment, He says:

"Therefore the heaven over you is stayed from the dew, and the earth is stayed from her fruit."

Self-seeking is a dangerous thing. This is not conducive to brethren dwelling in unity. The Lord’s word to us by Haggai is: "Consider your ways." Do not the same words speak volumes to the hearts of any exercised before our Lord?