Olney Hymns · Chapter
Gideon's Fleece explained
This poem reflects on the biblical account of Gideon's fleece, using it as a metaphor for God's sovereign grace and the distribution of spiritual blessings.
What happens
This poem reflects on the biblical account of Gideon's fleece, using it as a metaphor for God's sovereign grace and the distribution of spiritual blessings. It contrasts the dew on the fleece with the dry ground to illustrate how God's saving truth was first given to Israel, then withheld, and now extended to the Gentiles. The poem concludes with a prayer for God's refreshing grace to be poured out on all who seek Him.
Themes in this chapter
Divine Providence and Guidance
The poem highlights God's sovereign control over the dew, symbolizing His providential distribution of grace and truth.
Grace and Unmerited Favor
The dew of gospel peace is a gift of grace, given to the Gentiles and to believers, not earned but received.
Characters to notice
- Gideon
The central figure whose fleece sign is used to illustrate God's sovereignty and grace.
- God
The sovereign Lord who controls the dew and the distribution of saving truth.
- Jesus Christ
The Saviour to whom the poem prays for the refreshing dew of grace.
- The Jews
Israel, who once received the heavenly dew but is now left dry and empty.
- The Samaritans
Representing the Gentiles who now receive the balmy dew of gospel peace.
Key passages
“The signs which God to Gideon gave His holy sovereignty made known, That he alone has power to save, And claims the glory as his own.”
The miraculous signs given to Gideon reveal that God alone is sovereign and the only one who can save, and He deserves all the glory.
Emphasizes God's exclusive power to save and His rightful claim to glory.
“The dew which first the fleece had fill’d, When all the earth was dry around, Was from it afterwards withheld, And only fell upon the ground.”
The dew that first soaked the fleece while the ground was dry was later withheld from the fleece, and instead fell only on the ground.
Describes the reversal of the sign, illustrating God's control over blessings.
“To Isr’el thus the heav’nly dew Of saving truth was long restrain’d; Of which the Gentiles nothing knew, But dry and desolate remained.”
In this way, the heavenly dew of saving truth was long withheld from Israel, while the Gentiles knew nothing of it and remained spiritually dry and desolate.
Explains the historical situation of Israel's privilege and the Gentiles' ignorance.
“But now the Gentiles have received The balmy dew of gospel peace; And Isr’el, who his Spirit grieved, Is left a dry and empty fleece.”
But now the Gentiles have received the refreshing dew of the gospel's peace, while Israel, who grieved the Holy Spirit, is left like a dry and empty fleece.
Contrasts the current state of Gentiles receiving grace and Israel being set aside.
“This dew still falls at his command, To keep his chosen plants alive; They shall, though in a thirsty land, Like willows by the waters thrive.”
This dew still falls at God's command to keep His chosen people alive; even in a dry land, they will thrive like willows by the water.
Assures believers of God's sustaining grace in difficult circumstances.
“But chiefly when his people meet, To hear his word and seek his face, The gentle dew, with influence sweet, Descends and nourishes their grace.”
But especially when God's people gather to hear His word and seek His face, the gentle dew descends with sweet influence and nourishes their grace.
Highlights the special blessing of God's presence in corporate worship.
