And the remnant of Jacob shall be in the midst of many
people,
&c.] The Jews, who will be converted in the latter day, the
remnant of them according to the election of grace, as well as
all true Israelites, whether Jews or Gentiles, the Lord's chosen
and peculiar people; who, though but a small number in comparison
of others, and mean and contemptible in the eyes of men, are such
as God has made a reserve of for himself; and these, though not
of the world, yet are in the world, and will be in the several
parts of it, but a distinct people from it, and of no account in
it; nevertheless will be visible in it, and wonderfully preserved
in the midst of it: and will be as a dew from the
Lord;
both with respect to themselves, being like to dew for the
generation of it, which is from above, from heaven, and of God,
as their regeneration is; and which secretly and silently falls
as the grace of God in regeneration does; and for the number of
the drops of it, which are not to be reckoned; and so numerous
are the people of God, at least they will be in the latter day,
when Christ shall again have the dew of his youth; or such a
number of converts, as will be like the drops of the morning dew;
as also for the favour, grace, and blessings of God upon them,
which are as the dew; and which he himself is as that unto them,
so that they themselves are as dew from him, being indulged with
his favour; which, as the dew is entirely free, very softening,
cooling, and refreshing, as well as fructifying; and having the
dews of his grace, or the blessings of it, falling upon them in
plenty; see ( Hosea 14:5 Hosea 14:6 ) ; and with
respect to others, among whom they are, and to whom they are as
the dew, by their speech, their doctrine, the word ministered by
then}, which distils like the dew, ( Deuteronomy
32:26 ) ; and by their good works, which are profitable unto
men; and by their soft and gentle behaviour towards them; and by
reason of the many outward blessings they enjoy through them, as
Laban did for the sake of Jacob, and Potiphar on the account of
Josiah: as the showers upon the grass;
which revive, refresh it, and cause it to grow and flourish; or
they are like grass, on which the showers fall, and grow up as
such in great numbers, and with great verdure and fruitfulness, (
Psalms
72:16 ) ; that tarrieth not for man, nor waiteth for
the sons of men;
which seems to be connected with the dew, though it agrees with
both dew and rain, which stay not for men's desires or deserts,
but descend according to the will of God: and as this regards the
people of God, either with respect to themselves; it shows that
as they are, as the dew, or as showers and clouds full of rain,
either of grace or doctrine compared thereunto; they are not of
themselves so, or of men, but of God; and that their dependence
is not upon the creature, but upon the Lord for support and
supply:, and with respect to others, to whom they are beneficial
by their doctrine and works; that it is all from the Lord, and
owing to his goodness, which makes them a blessing round about
unasked and undeserved; see ( Ezekiel
34:26 ) . It may have respect to plenty of Gospel ministers,
whose doctrine is as the dew; and which, being attended with the
power and Spirit of God, waits not for anything in man, but
operates at once secretly and powerfully.