Why did the Holy Spirit choose the dove to illustrate His ministry?
In the Scriptures, there are three prominent illustrations of the Holy Spirit. He is like a dove; He is like the wind (John 3:8, Acts 2:2-4); He is like oil (especially in anointing, 1 Samuel 16:13, Isaiah 61:1, Acts 10:38).
For a few moments, consider the Holy Spirit as being like a dove. John the Baptist (the cousin of Jesus) testified about this, and it is recorded in Matthew 3:16, Mark 1:10 and John 1:32. “And John bore record, saying, ‘I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him.’” (John 1:32).
Why did the Holy Spirit choose to be identified with the dove?
There are a few different English words that refer to a flock of doves, but one of the most well-known is a “dule” – in the expression, “a dule of doves.”[i] This word “dule” (pronounced “dool”) comes from the French word [doel] meaning “to mourn or grieve.” This is because of the dove’s distinctive bird call. Our English word “doleful” comes from the same French word. Because of its mournful cry, even here in our country we refer to it as “a mourning dove.” In Isaiah 38:14; 59:11, and Ezekiel 7:16, the Holy Spirit gave us the words, “mourning like a dove.” So in Romans 8 we find the Holy Spirit mourning and groaning with believers who live in a cursed creation (Romans 8:19-27). The next time you hear the pitiful coo of the mourning dove, think about the Holy Spirit mourning over creation.
The dove also symbolizes rest and peace in the Scriptures. Remember that, of all the creatures in God’s kingdom, Noah sent the dove out from the ark (Genesis 8:8-12). After the Flood, Noah wanted to find out how far the waters had receded. He sent the tender dove to survey the devastation of the world, to find out when it would be suitable for the animals. The dove returned with an olive branch (Genesis 8:11) which has become an enduring symbol of peace to this day. In Psalm 55:6, David used the illustration of the dove longing for peace: “Oh that I had the wings of a dove, then would I fly away and be at rest.” Song of Solomon 2:12 refers to the voice of the turtle dove in the spring after the winter is past. So the Holy Spirit is associated with peace (Galatians 5:22, Ephesians 4:3).
The dove is associated with harmlessness. Doves feed on seeds and fruits, but a few species also eat snails and insects. The dove is not a predator. This is why Jesus told His disciples, “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves” (Matthew 10:16). The Holy Spirit is not like the Great-tailed Grackle that you will see here in Ohio.[ii] The Grackle is a predator bird that eats other birds. But the dove, like the Holy Spirit, is associated with harmlessness. But though it is harmless, the wise dove understands the seasons (Jeremiah 8:7).
The dove is associated with purity and love. Solomon pictured his beloved as a flawless dove (Song of Solomon 5:2; 6:9).
The dove was considered to be a “clean” bird in the Old Testament sacrifices (Leviticus 12:6). The poor who wanted to honor God would often offer a single dove as a sacrifice; this is one of the reasons that Jesus grew so angry with the religious thieves who tried to cheat the poorest people by charging too much for doves (Matthew 21:12).
When you think of the Holy Spirit being like a dove, enabling joyful, thankful, humble people, you see a delightful picture of how God wants families to join together in harmless, pure, peace and love. Yes, there will be mourning and grieving over sin and its consequences, but the Spirit leads us to joy and peace.
This blog post is part of the message entitled, “A Spirit-Filled Marriage, part 1” available here.
Pastor Gordon Dickson, Calvary Baptist Church, Findlay, Ohio www.cbcfindlay.org
[i] See “What is a Group of Doves Called?” citing the U.S. Geological Survey, accessed at https://www.reference.com/pets-animals/group-doves-called-dd823cd212a32e0f A group of turtle doves is known as “a pitying.”
[ii] Great-tailed Grackle, Field Guide to Birds of North America, accessed at https://identify.whatbird.com/obj/537/overview/great-tailed_grackle.aspx