By: Glenn Washburn
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment upon the head that ran down upon the beard even Aaron’s beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; as the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.
Psalm 133
Absence makes the heart grow fonder; goes the old proverb. Robert Frost, in his poem “Mending Wall,” makes reference to another just as famous: “Good fences make good neighbors.” However, this is not the viewpoint we find in Psalm 133. In this short three verse psalm we find the Lord’s complete philosophy on unity; as penned by David, the Shepherd/King, “…the man after God’s own heart.” Three short verses; but contained within them is a treasure trove; for in these verses there are highlighted six blessings. And we do not even need to dig for them. They are laying right out in the open for all to see; the sixth one being a jewel of priceless worth; life for evermore. Clearly, unity is highly favored in God’s economy.
Not so in the world. Sadly, life on this “moaning” planet is broken. Fences and walls are the symbols of our age. Privacy is more highly valued than community; individual rights more than the benefit and welfare of the whole. Not too long ago neighbors sat on front porches, rocking gently and greeting neighbors who strolled by. It was not uncommon to start out on a short walk and end up on someone’s front porch for hours spinning tales and sharing memories. Today most of the front porches are gone; replaced by back decks. These decks advertise privacy and solitude; as they scream out their warning: “approach only by special invitation.” We now live not only separated from each other; but separated from God; warring against each other and Him. Not only is there the continuing conflicts of the large super powers; there are thousands of smaller conflicts as well. Since the end of World War II there have been more than 150 wars on this planet.
The real tragedy is not a broken world; however, it is a broken church. We are separated from other denominations; within denominations, churches are separated from their sister churches; and within individual congregations, people are separated from each other. Christians are right in the thick of it when it comes to cheating, sexual sin, and selfish pursuits. A study done for Christian Advertising Forum discovered that the 53% of Americans who insist they have made a commitment for Christ are indistinguishable from the population as a whole. Perhaps more alarming is the failure to pass Christianity on to the next generation. Only about one third of today’s children display the same commitment in following Christ as their parents, another third continue in attendance but their lives revolve around other interests, and another third drop out entirely.
We have been called, indeed commanded to dwell in complete unity for the purpose of demonstrating to the world and to one another the blessings and reality of a life lived for God and one another. And, for us who are called by His name, that command should be enough; but as our God is want to do, He actually empowers us to accomplish that which He commands. All that is required is a response to unloose the blessings. Indeed, what a gift it is for the world and holy anchor for the Christian that there is a commanded place of blessing. So, let’s have a look at these blessings, shall we?
1. “Behold, how good…” Goodness is the first blessing mentioned. It is good because God is good; God is the author and the owner of it. Indeed, the very nature of unity is good. It is good morally across all philosophical belief systems. It does not matter what your worldview happens to be; unity is readily understood as desirable and a relationally positive way of life. Discord and discontent are the enemies of this kind of committed and unified life. People naturally gravitate toward those who foster unity. And likewise avoid those who sow discord. It is not a system of thought that needs to be taught; it is attractive to all societies.
It is also spiritually good because it springs from God; He whose very essence is goodness. As we grow in grace, we grow in unity; for this is the Spirit’s teaching to us. We increase in intimacy with one another as we increase in intimacy with God. And that intimacy is one that is identified through sacrificial love and is continually seeking only that which blesses; only that which is ‘good.”
2. “Behold…how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” Here is the next blessing. First, it is pleasant to God. What father does not derive pleasure from the unity of his children? It is a mind-blowing thought that our unity is a delight to our Father. What a glorious privilege is ours; that it is within our power to bring pleasure to the King of our hearts and lives. And this incredible reality is one of the main reasons that it is pleasant to us. Our hearts are filled to bursting with joy and pleasure as we enter into the blessings that can only come from pleasing Daddy. Yet, we also are immersed in the pleasure that is the very nature of unity; peaceful lives, joyful relationships, the absence of stress and conflict and the rewards of true brotherhood and friendship.
It is also pleasing to others. The Hebrew word used here is the same used to describe harmony of music or sweetness of honey. I once heard a story from a person who lived in Hershey, Pennsylvania. The chocolate factory was the main employer in town and nearly everyone either worked there or knew someone who did. He related how at quitting time, hundreds of workers would stream out of its doors. As they did the sweet smell of chocolate would begin to wash over the city until you could smell it everywhere. Here is a perfect picture for the Christian community. As we immerse ourselves in our vital but pleasant work; we carry the sweet aroma of unity with us when we go out into the world. And the world cannot help but breathe in its pleasant odors. Our unity displayed through the daily practice of loving one another may be the most valuable and powerful evangelistic tool at our disposal. Everyone is searching for real peace. And everyone is attracted to that which is pleasant to the senses. We are brethren. Let us not send out the foul odor of strife from among us; but only a pleasing aroma of unity that will entice a world that is watching with desperate need. “And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdsmen and thy herdsmen; for we be brethren.” (Genesis 13:8)
3. “It is like the precious ointment upon the head that ran down upon the beard even Aaron’s beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments…” Anointing, this is our next revealed blessing. In Old Testament times all priests were anointed; however, only the High Priest was anointed by pouring oil over his head; running down in a manner that covered him to the bottom of his robes. There are several important aspects to this kind of anointing that are worthy of our notice. First, it was fragrant oil that was heavily perfumed. During such an anointing; all present would be delighted as they breathed in the fragrant oil. The anointing oil was so heavily perfumed, in fact, that its aroma would fill the temple. Second, it was holy; reserved for the High Priest. So, too, is our unity holy; for it authenticates our great High Priest’s very mission and purpose, “That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me”. (John 17:21)
Third, it was very precious, and was not made for common use. Likewise, our holy unity is, in the sight of God, of great price; and is precious in God’s sight. Yet, in spite of its preciousness, its application was extravagant; poured not sprinkled and in abundance. This is how it should be; because God pours His precious love over our lives and hearts in like extravagance. In truth, all of God’s blessings are extravagant; always more than we asked, expected, or deserve. Fourth, this anointing is for sacred duty: And thou shalt anoint Aaron and his sons, and consecrate them, that they may minister unto me in the priest’s office. And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying, “This shall be an holy anointing oil unto me throughout your generations. Upon man’s flesh shall it not be poured, neither shall ye make any other like it, after the composition of it: it is holy, and it shall be holy unto you”. (Exodus 30:30-32) And so too is unity our sacred duty. The Christian brotherhood is so unique, sacred, and lasting; that lack of unity is a disgrace. Our unity is sacred because it springs from the love commanded by God, is based on the principals laid down by God, and exists for the ends appointed by God. It is born of the Father and united to the Son; our older brother, who desires it greatly for us. Not to seek unity, not to prize it as holy or jealously guard it against the enemy, not to consider the sacredness of our duty to it; is to disclaim the anointing and disown our “Holy Older Brother.”
There is joy and gladness associated with the anointing as well. “Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.” (Psalm 23:5) “…to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness…” (Isaiah 61:3) Anointing with oil was also common on festivals and joyous occasions and it became an emblem of anything joyous, happy, and beautiful; and the idea seemed to be carried to the highest degree when it was connected with the anointing of a high priest to the sacred duties of his office. There is no other comparison between the idea of anointing with oil and that of harmony among brothers and sisters than this which is derived from the gladness and the joyousness connected with such an anointing. “But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.”(Hebrews 1:8-9)
Finally, the anointed blessing places us beside Christ to share in His righteousness and gladness. In our unity we display our desire to see our great High Priest lifted up. And in our obedience we are allowed, through the anointing, to reign with Him in gladness.
4. “…as the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion…”
Refreshing and pervasive; the next blessing descends on us like a dew. It brings freshness and life to the brethren; descending from God it refreshes and enlivens all the “plants” of grace. Yet, even as it brings fresh blessings to us; it also provides nourishment for the surrounding valley (the world). The following is an account of “the dew of Hermon” from Henry Baker Tristram as he camped at its base in 1867:
We had sensibly proof at Rasheiya of the copiousness of the “dew of Hermon,” spoken of in Psalm 133, where “Zion” is only another name for the same mountain. Unlike most other mountains which gradually rise from lofty table-lands and often at a distance from the sea, Hermon starts at once to the height of nearly ten thousand feet, from a platform scarcely above the sea level. This platform (the upper Jordan valley, and marshes of Merom) is for the most part an impenetrable swamp of unknown depth, whence the seething upper atmosphere during the day. The vapor, coming in contact with the snowy sides of the mountain, is rapidly congealed, and is precipitated in the evening in the form of dew, the most copious we ever experienced. It penetrated everywhere, and saturated everything. The floor of our tent was soaked, our bed was covered with it, our guns were dripping, and dewdrops hung everywhere. No wonder that the foot of Hermon is clad with orchards and gardens of such marvelous fertility in this land of droughts
Our unity will bring blessing to our world; in fact, it will saturate it with blessing and nourishment. In turn, that will produce gardens of love in a “land of droughts.” The descending quality of dew is actually an accurate picture of God’s ceaseless and progressive revelation into our lives; God gave His Son, the Son gave the Spirit, the Spirit gives us life, and that life we share with one another in complete unity as a witness to a love-starved world. And in the power of that everlasting bond we bring the message of God’s love; not only by the proclamation of our words but with the declaration of our lives.
5. “…for there the LORD commanded the blessing…” God does not neglect to command His blessing where peace and unity are activated. When God “commands the blessing” He promises it, and makes it known to his people; He bestows it on them. Jesus as the Prince of Peace likewise will always bestow His blessing wherever peace is sought after and unity abounds. God the Father, the God of peace, readily commands His peace to rule in the hearts of those who pursue unity. “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.” (Col 3:15) And when God commands…it is done! “For he spake and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast”. (Psalm 33:9)
6. “…even life for evermore.” Now all the blessings culminate in the greatest blessing.
There are only two places in the entire Old Testament where life eternal (life for evermore) is spoken of; in Daniel 12 and here in Psalm 133. That a Psalm about unity would be one of those places, reinforces the high priority God places of “being in one accord.” However, the streams of God’s blessing will always flow back to Himself. Therefore, the greatest blessing and reward for unity is eternity with God. God commands His greatest blessing, eternal life, for those who love God and display it by drenching their brothers and sisters with that same love. This is true kingdom living. And not only do His children enjoy the kingdom in their unity; but their unity will bring others into the kingdom; the unity commanded by Jesus and taught by the Spirit will bring people to a place where God the Father can speak to their hearts. Unity brings life!
However, this life is not just for the salvation of an unbelieving world; it is also for the healing of a fractured church. As we respond to this holy call for love and unity; we are empowered by the Holy Spirit to accomplish it. We become the forerunners for a radical and revolutionary approach to relationships. In this “revolution” we will settle for nothing less than true brotherhood; encouraging our unity to grow as we allow ourselves to be vulnerable, giving, and sacrificial. It will become clear to all around us that God is at work in our unity and love; because we will reach levels of intimacy that can only come from the heart of Jesus. In the end, this sacred unity will rise up as a holy mist and settle upon the church; bringing it blessing and life. Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. (1Corinthians 1:10)
We have been called to dwell together in unity; not only come together, not only be together, but dwell together even as Emmanuel dwells with us. Dwelling together in love, we begin to experience the joys of eternity. Truly our unity is good and pleasant; it has the Father’s commanded blessing and therefore cannot be anything but sacred; as sacred as the anointing oil of the High Priest and as heavenly as the dew of Hermon.
This is the love for us; not the love that comes and goes but the love that dwells. This is the spirit for us; not one that separates and secludes but one that dwells together. And this is the mind for us; not the one that is all for debate and difference but one that dwells together in unity. We shall never know the full power of the anointing until we are of one heart and one spirit; nor will the dew descend in fullness until we are perfectly joined in one mind. Yet, we can rejoice and be glad; for we will indeed know this fullness as we walk “…with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. For there is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” (Ephesians 4:1-6)
More Unity Verses
John 17:11,
23Acts 4:32
Romans 12:5
Romans 14:1
Romans 15:5
1 Cor 3:17
1 Cor 8:12
1 Cor 10:17
Ephesians 3:6
Ephesians 4:13, 16
Philippians 1:27
Philippians 2:2, 3
1 Thes 5:13 Colossians 2:2
