# Gideon's Fleece explained — Olney Hymns

> Chapter companion for Olney Hymns by John Newton.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

> But ah! what numbers still are dead, Though under means of grace they lie⁠— The dew still falling round their head, And yet their heart untouch’d and dry.

But alas, how many are still spiritually dead, even though they are under the means of grace—the dew still falls around them, yet their hearts remain untouched and dry.

_Laments the spiritual deadness of many who hear the gospel but remain unaffected._

> Dear Saviour, hear us when we call; To wrestling prayer an answer give; Pour down thy dew upon us all, That all may feel and all may live.

Dear Saviour, hear us when we call; answer our earnest prayer; pour down Your dew upon all of us, so that all may feel and all may live.

_A concluding prayer for God's refreshing grace to be poured out on all._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/23-gideon-s-fleece
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/olney_hymns_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters