Dew, a type of the Holy Spirit

… 11 verse 9 And when the dew fell upon the camp by night, the manna fell upon it. Psalm 133 Now read the whole psalm. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity, like the precious oil upon the head that ran down upon the beard, upon Aaron's beard, that ran down to the hem of his garments, as the dew of Hermon that descends on the mountains of Zion. For there has the Lord commanded the blessing, life forevermore. In the book of Hosea, Hosea chapter 14 Hosea chapter 14 and verse 4 Hosea 14 verse 4 God speaking, I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely, for my anger is turned away from him. I will be as the dew unto Israel, he shall blossom as the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon. And then in Haggai. The book of the prophet Haggai chapter 1 Haggai chapter 1 and verse 10 Haggai chapter 1 verse 10 Therefore over you the heavens withhold their dew, and the earth withholds its fruit. And verse 9 Ye looked for much, and behold it was little, and when ye brought it home, I blew upon it. Wherefore saith Jehovah of hosts, Because of my house that lies waste, for ye run every man to his own house. Dearly beloved, I have no doubt you noticed in each of these portions that there was reference to dew. The dew. And you might wonder at that. Reference was made on Saturday to running or living water as a type of the Holy Spirit. There was also reference to the wind as a type of the Holy Spirit. We know of course in Acts 2 that our dear brother King mentioned. Cloth and tongues is a fire in the Holy Spirit. We have oil. Olive oil is a type of the Holy Spirit. And another precious one has been mentioned as the dove. As a type of the Holy Spirit. And I would submit for your consideration dearly beloved that we see in the dew particularly in Numbers chapter 11 a type of the Holy Spirit. And I think as we see it developed in the scriptures it brings before us the thought of freshness. That which accrues, which comes out of the work of the Holy Spirit in our hearts. A spirit filled life. Because that is what should mark us. That is what marks the spiritual man. That he's fresh. He's fresh. Doesn't it in Psalm 1 speaks about the spiritual man isn't it? He's fixed. Yes we need to be fixed. Thank God this afternoon we were told of our standing. Oh blessedly. Our standing. We are fixed. And it's a great thing to be fresh. To be fresh. You know the great vine in Hampton Court? If you ever visit it. Great vine there. The roots go right out underneath the River Thames. People are amazed that the gardeners don't water it you see. Goes right out under the River Thames. Draws in. Fixed, fresh and it's fruitful. Now here we see in Numbers 11. The Jew descends. The manna comes upon the Jew. And I feel dearly beloved that the thought here is that that which comes from God never touches this earth. It's brought to us in the power and living freshness of the Holy Spirit himself. And I trust you dearly beloved ones. Particularly you dear young brethren. Get hold of this if you get hold of nothing else this week. That you have nothing in the realm of Christianity outside of the Spirit of God. Inside of the Spirit of God. I'm sorry I stressed it so much that he is the teacher. He is the teacher. The greatness of the Spirit of God. The teacher. He is the master. He is the professor of all professors. I trust everyone here has their B.A. B.A. born again. Born again. But have you got your M.A.? Are you mightily altered? That's what you want isn't it? That's what we want. To be an M.A. Mightily altered. And the Holy Spirit of God comes into our hearts and lives. And he mightily alters us. Isn't it? And he gives us. He attaches us to a blessed new place. Begins in John 13. You know we've had a vast scope before us. I'm sure dearly beloved brother Willie will forgive me this. But it's just a little pity we hadn't had a reference to John 13. Where the upper room begins. Remember John's three great highways of love. Chapter 3 to 7. Life. Chapter 8 to 12. Light. Chapter 13 to 17. Love. Love. In that blessed circle. And it says part with me. Part with me. And it's a man that says Lord. Lord. Thou shalt never wash my feet. He owns the Lordship of Christ. And dear young saint of God. Every one of us. We'll never know things until we are under the full reality of the Lordship of Christ. We'll learn nothing. We won't progress in divine things. Unless we fully and adequately own the Lordship of Christ. And I'm sure this is what dear Willie was trying to impress upon our hearts this afternoon. And there in that Romans chapter 12. We have laid ourselves on the altar for Christ. Remember in the Exodus 29 is it? The two rams isn't there? There's two rams. Two rams there. First ram is what Christ is for me. Second ram is our appreciation of him. And we give ourselves to God. And we're for him. Anyway. That's the Lord. And then later on in that chapter. Another one. Another one. Another one. He who lent in Jesus bosom. Oh yes. He who lent in Jesus bosom. You know you remember there was a brother in Edinburgh. I hate to put labels on them but he was known as an open brother. And he had a big shoe shop. And all sorts came into his shop. Or every believer. Blood brought saints. Owning no saviour but the living stone. And a dear brother was brought in and he was introduced as a close brother. A close brother. Oh close brothers in scripture. But our dear close brother was equal to the occasion. He said oh yes there is. And he read him in John 13. He lent in Jesus bosom. That's the kind of close brother we want isn't it? And when we're close to him we'll be devoted to him. And there'll be those with us. That's it. Is there the attraction there of Christ? Is that the attraction? Is it that we don't want excluding? We want to be close to Christ. Yes close to Christ. And those that have a desire after him will be found there. In the pathway of faith. And separation unto him. In devotion to that blessed man. That man of Calvary. Blessed and wonderful thing. Doesn't your heart thrill saying to God. As you contemplate that blessed man. Who went into death on your account. And he was raised gloriously. And he's now at the father's right hand in heavenly glory. On his father's throne in glory. Jesus saves. Jesus saves. What a wonderful all the way home saviour we have. Yes. There's nothing of this earth. The spirit of God comes down. And the manna came down upon the Jew. I know the manna has a particular reference. To the life of our Lord here. Mr. Darby brings before us. Doesn't he? Bringing from Revelation. There on the hidden manna feet. There's the manna and the hidden manna. That deep appreciation inside the veil of Christ. Do we know it? Do we know what it is to be inside with Christ. And appreciate him. That blessed man who walked this scene. Every step of his pathway. Ascending as a sweet smelling savour. God the father. The one who could say I have glorified thee in the earth. I have finished the work that thou gavest me to do. And now oh father glorify thou me with the glory which I had. Along with thee. Along with thee. The eternal son. In the bosom of the father. In that past age of eternity. In that blessed divine circle. Glorify thou me with thine own glory. Which I had along with thee. In the past age of eternity. Oh that blessed one. What a delight for our hearts. That's why I like to think that all the food that comes to us. The old corn of the land. All the precious things of Christ. Make good to us in the spirit. He shall take of mine. He shall take of mine. And show it unto you. He says didn't he in that chapter 14. I am the way. The truth. And the life. Yes. Thomas that we were hearing about last night. Across the way. Thomas says. How can we know the way? He says I am the way unto the father. Oh what it is to come to the father. Saint of God you've got your sins forgiven. You're justified. You're reconciled. You're sanctified. You're children of God as we've been hearing. You're sons of the father. Come to the father. In the father's presence. Oh right home. To the father's presence. Well I hate to quote from the secular poet. But you know I think Burns got something of it isn't it? The lisping infant. Prattling on his father's knee. Yes I'm sure every one of us. We may not all be fathers. But we've been the child. Sitting on the father's knee haven't we? The lisping infant. Prattling on his father's knee. Oh I'm sure every heart delights. To have the communion. With her children. Oh I speak feelingly brethren. When we move into the divine circle. Do we know the appreciation of being? Do we have the father's affections? Do we have that intimacy? That blessed sphere. Unto the father. No man comes unto the father. Oh what it is to come unto the father. And then. I am the truth. The truth. I am the way. The truth. And again. Another one owns him as lord. Thomas owned him as lord. Philip owns him as lord. Hast thou been so long time with me? And thou hast not known me. He that hath seen me. Hath seen the father. Oh. We gaze upon that blessed one. We commune with him. We look upon him in every blessed feature. Brings out. That divine precious circle. The father. And the son brought to rest within that blessed circle. And then later on down that chapter. We have the third one in that chapter. The fifth one in that portion that owns him as lord. And these verses. I'd better just quote them. Because they're really so precious. He says to Judas. Judas said lord how is it. That thou wilt manifest thyself to us and not to the world. And he said if any man. If any one. Love me. He will keep my word and my father will love him. And we will come to him. And make her abode with him. Oh how precious. To have divine persons. Or should I more correctly say. Godhead persons. Godhead persons. The persons of the godhead. Father and the son. Can we have the father and the son. Two of the persons of the godhead indwelling us. In the power of the holy spirit. The other person. The godhead. Indwelling us. And in that blessed sphere. As it was mentioned wasn't it. A region of satisfied desire. Region of satisfied desire. They used to speak. Didn't they. These early brethren. And they knew it. About the exotic. The Christian being an exotic. Go to a Kew Gardens. And there's an exotic plant house. Plants that are not native to this country. They need a special atmosphere. And the saint of God. The Christian is an exotic. He's got the atmosphere of heaven. He lives in the atmosphere of heaven. Not in the atmosphere of this world. These are the precious. Something of the precious work of the spirit. To occupy us with Christ. I wake in the morning with thoughts of his love. Who is living for me in the glory above. Each moment expecting he'll call me away. And that keeps me bright. For the rest of the day. A moment's feet onward. And on comes the noon. And still I am singing he'll come very soon. And thus I am watching from morning till night. And proving my wings to be ready for flight. Is the man in the glory. A stranger to you. Oh he's no stranger is he. Oh he's their friend at every turn. What a blessed one. The one that fills the heart of God. Isn't he more than enough. More than enough to fill your heart and mine. Dear saint of God. What a wonderful savior is Jesus. We could go on all night about him. Couldn't we every one of us. What a wonderful savior is Jesus. What a blessed one. Oh just a little touch. Just a little touch dear beloved. But I hope you see. What the spirit of God has impressed upon my heart. Of the preciousness. That there is nothing here for us. You see in the beginning of John 14. It says I go to prepare a place for you. Oh I go to prepare a place for you. Do we realize. Do we realize it enough. It's not something in the future. We can be in the joy of it now. It's a great state of soul to realize. That we have no place here. We have no place here. We might have the title deeds of. Well I have the title deeds of four. Birchwood Grove. But oh we must have a roof over our head. But I admire the faith of a dear brother I know. Who only rents his home. He wants no place here. That he might be free to enjoy. The blessings of a place there. That's the great work of the Holy Spirit. To detach us from the sea. And engage us and attach us. To a blessed heavenly scene. A heavenly sphere. That's the work of the Holy Spirit. Today. In each and every one of our hearts. Well I hope that's something positive. For each and every one of us. I want us to be on the positive line. But the Spirit of God. Has also laid on me one or two. Just practical matters. I hope. I might just have five minutes Edwin. Please at least. To continue. In Psalm 133. How good. And how pleasant it is. For brethren to dwell together in unity. Brethren to dwell together in unity. And I think most of you know me well enough. To know I'm not one of these. Piece at any price men. When I speak about the unity. Of brethren. I really mean true unity. Not at the expense of righteousness. There's a lot of talk today about unity. Ecumenism and unity. And all the rest of it. That's at the expense of righteousness. The word of God tells us. That if there is to be any peace. There must be first of all righteousness. The work of righteousness is peace. And the effect of righteousness. Quietness and assurance forever. In Romans chapter 14. It came before me when we were discussing the kingdom of God. On Saturday. That the kingdom of God is not meat and drink. But righteousness. Peace. Joy in the Holy Ghost. You know what is holding back from that unity among the brethren. Is to be as the Jew of Hermon. You know I speak gardenly. But just last year you know in a meeting near us. There was a matter came in. And two brethren were in division. And it fell upon me to be one of six. We were invited along to look into the matter. And beforehand one of the brothers. He rang me up. He says let me have all these charges. Let me have all these charges. And I'll answer them. And I'll wipe the floor with them. Oh what a sad state. What a sad state. Think of another brother. He was accused by somebody else in some personal matters. He said let me know these matters. And he says I'll confess to every one of them. Confess to every one of them. The spirit of the master. Oh when he was revealed. Revealed not again. I challenge my heart. I challenge your heart. Where is the spirit of the blessed master today. To go down. To go down. I speak feelingly brethren. I speak feelingly. It's fallen upon me over the last few years. To have been present at some very humbling experiences. Yes. Men that are 10, 15, 20 years older than me. And probably 50 years older than me in divine things. But you have to be on your knees with them. Yes. These are solemn matters. The unity of the brethren. Oh so it often comes in isn't it. We are right on certain principles. And then it comes into our families. Family relationships. And then they go out the window. So often. I trust you were searched those of you who were here two years ago. I wasn't. But I was privileged to hear the tape ministry. He that loveth me more than father, mother, brother or sister is not worthy of me. These are matters that test us all. These are matters that test us all. The Lord leave us here. We know not how long it will be before we're tested. Oh that we might not know the reality of it. I don't want to preempt what we're going to have in Ephesians. But I feel I must mention it there. It says endeavoring to keep the unity of the spirit. It says in the uniting bond of peace. In the uniting bond. That bond together of fellowship and peace. The new translation says striving diligently. Striving diligently. That's what's needed. Diligence. Painstaking care. Carlisle the great Scottish man of letters. Who settled down in Chelsea. He said genius is an infinite capacity for taking pains. And the things of God dear friend. Diligence. We need that infinite capacity for taking pains. Painstaking care in these matters. Matters that are felt on our knees. And born up in the presence of God. Then we move on to Hosea. Hosea. I will heal the backslidings. Oh how precious the faith of God is. Oh you know we do get away from the Lord don't we. But if we come in true contrition. And repentance to him. David said he realized where he'd gone wrong. He says against thee. The only. The only. Have I sinned and done this evil in thy sight. That thou mightest be justified when thou speakest clear. And when there is that true repentance God comes in. There must be that work of righteousness. And when the righteousness of God has come in. We realize that God's love is righteous love. And we tell and we see that deluge of love. Of course when we were born again it deluged our hearts. But we realize we've got that deluge of love. That wonderful deluge of love. I will love them freely. I will be as the dew unto Israel. Oh all that blessed freshness isn't it. He says in Joel I will restore the years. Which the locusts hath eaten. The canker worm hath taken away. Yes. They'll be made up. Better to you than at your beginnings. When thou art converted he said to Peter. Didn't we have it last night. When thou art converted strengthen thy brethren. Strengthen thy brethren. So here there's an encouragement to us. These people had let their goodness just fade away as the morning dew. There was nothing lasting. But if we come in true repentance to God. Then and turn to him. Then make that new beginning. And he says I will be as the dew to him. The freshness. And we'll know and enjoy the blessed work of the Holy Spirit. And go on in assurance as Peter did. And coming on now to Haggai. Ye looked for much and behold it was little. When ye brought it home I blew upon it. Yes. The questions often raised. Why is there so much weakness in the meetings? Why are they dying out? Why are there not young ones coming in? And you know just recently. I went to preach the gospel at a hall near me. And about ten years ago. Dear young brother. That I'd been in a meeting with in Kirkenzie. We were at school together. University together. Went over the things of God together. Came to a stage when he said no. No I don't want any more of that hall. No more of that hall. No. I want the wider pathway. He had written it off. When I was there just a week past Lord's Day. Rejoiced my heart. To see a babe in Christ. Sitting there. A married man. And his two children with him. How precious it was. Yes. He'd written that hall off but God hadn't. No no God hadn't. He'd raised up someone in there. To go in personal evangelization. That man was there as a result of his neighbor's testimony. His neighbor's testimony. And there was no doubt about it. It wasn't a B.A.D.D. you know. Born again but doubtful. He was born again and there was no doubt about it. His face was beaming for the Lord. Face was beaming for the Lord. And as you shook hands with him. And spoke with him. He was desirous to know more. Of the man that he'd missed so long. Because you see. He was in his thirties. And his only regret as many as have been isn't it. That he didn't come to Christ quicker. And he was wanting to know more about the Lord Jesus. And how precious it was. Did my heart good. To stand on the platform and see his face beaming. To know something more about Jesus. More about Jesus would I know. To grow in grace. And in the knowledge of him. But oh you know. How sad it is isn't it. We see it around. And God says the heavens withhold their due. You see there's been a tendency often. To get us into a place of position. And to pride ourself in a position. Without any exercise about it. And that's what's needed today. As our dear brother here. When he was a young man. And he was very exercised about the position in the gatherings. And dear McBroom said to him. Don't go to such and such a company of brethren. You're told what to do. Don't go to such and such a company of brethren. You can do what you like. So you stay with the company you're with. Trouble and exercise. Trouble and exercise. And that's what we don't like do we? We don't like trouble and we don't like exercise. Ah but we need these exercises. Deep exercises. Yes. A dear young believer comes along. No letter of commendation. Somebody testifies as a believer. Is there exercise about the matter? Is there exercise about the matter? Or are there the main that say. That's it. This that and the next thing. Or are those that have no exercise and just let's plop them all in. Where is the exercise in these matters? Where is the exercise in these matters? These are matters that one must be in the presence of God about. Let us have deep exercise about these matters. The holiness of God's house. The liberty of the spirit. And these matters. Oh I just bring it before us. These are the things that concern us in the house of God. What are we set on here? The world you know is set on its television. Satan had a great natural victory with the television. But then of course it could only be limited to one room. So he invented portable televisions. And now down my road sometimes I've seen people with them in their very kitchens. And then he wasn't satisfied with having it in the evening. They got it in the morning. And then of course he wasn't satisfied that they could drive to work. And not watch the television. So he's now invented a television that goes on your watch. Yes and the man who's done it gets a night. No. Our taste for the man in the glory. And we want to be a way. And so in this difficult day. That God has blown upon us. God has blown upon us. We should be on our knees searching our hearts. Revival begins in the heart you know. My son give me thine heart. And in case you're feeling very depressed. Where is the answer? God doesn't. God would have us to have a real diagnosis. There must be a real diagnosis for first. Before the cure comes in. Before the remedy comes. It's no good just putting on a soothing creams. That don't really answer the problem. Plastering it speaks doesn't it in several cases. Ezekiel about plastering over the cracks in the wall. Without really dealing with the root of the problem. And you know here is the case. That getting back to God. And in Malachi chapter 3 it says. They that feared the Lord. Spoke often one to another. Spoke often one to another. Oh how precious it is. To speak often one to another. You know we in London we're very privileged. From last Saturday right through to the 1st of July. God willing. There will be a fellowship meeting on every Saturday. An opportunity for saints of God to get together. Every Saturday. From the 17th of September right through to the 1st of July next year. God willing. In the quality I live. You can get your Bible reading every night of the week. We value these occasions to come together. And occasionally of course if there's 5 Saturdays in a month. Because of the moving of them. There happens to be a free Saturday. There was one dear sister. A widow. A nurse she is. A widow bringing up a young girl. Travels all the way from London. To Ipswich. For an address. Here's the reality of it isn't it. The widow's might. The widow's might. She wanted to hear the word of God. They that speak often. Speak often one to another. And God. A book of remembrance was heard. Oh do we find ourselves. Speaking often one to another. And to the Lord. He would desire his things. Oh think of it doesn't it. Ruth. Thy people shall be mine people. Where thou dies. I will die. Do we have affection. Are we set here. For the Lord and his interests. It's the set of the sail. You know all these seamen here will know about it. And my colleagues I often hear them talking about. Their yachts and how they set their sails. And they can sail not directly into the wind. But they tap backwards and forwards. And they get home. Despite the condition of the winds. And it's the set of the sail isn't it. It's the set of the sail. Have you got your sail set right. For the man in the glory. Hmm. Or are you being just drifting along. Drifting along set your sails. And the blessed spirit of God. Will lead you on for his glory. Oh dear saint of God. I trust you will see what. What the spirit of God has laid in my heart. The exercise with God to the Jew. And get home. And dig it up. And pray it in. And live it out. And tell it forth. It's just these simple matters that I was taught. In my Bible class. To dig it up. To pray it in. To live it out. And then when you've lived it out. You can tell it forth. Don't tell it forth. Before you've lived it out. Thank you. …