Walking through the Book of Psalms.
For
those that are still home, I would like to invite you on a walk through the
Book of Psalms. A
study of any portion of God’s Word is profitable, for, it is breathed upon by
the Holy Spirit, and it is designed to communicate the love, and instructions
of God to mankind.
Psalm
133. The blessings of Unity.
This
is a psalm, poem or song about the family, and the unity of God’s people as a
family.
The
coming together of the scattered nation at the pilgrim feast would suggest the tropic
of an idea. In this psalm, the psalmist extols the beauty and the loveliness of
harmony among brothers and sisters.
The
psalmist’s emphasis is upon the advantage of a close and compact settlement,
the unity of common blood and tradition. Paul says in Romans 15:5 to be
of “like mind.” For unity is a rare and blessed thing, nevermore so when
it influences spreads to the whole of society.
We
can learn a lot from this psalm. For Church history is littered with splits in
groups of Christians, and even in our smallest communities we tend to allow
natural quarrelsomeness to spill over even into Christian relationship.
1.
Verse one, Unity.
1 Behold, how good and how pleasant
it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!”
The
pilgrims return, scattered centuries after centuries. “It was good and pleasant.”
To be reunited after the separation and depression of bondage. David writes as
if all the tribes are bound together as one family in the unity of the national
and religious life of Israel.
How
happy is the heart, the home, the church, and the nation into which such unity
comes and abides?
“Brethren.” Sons
of a family are brothers and contributed to a happy home when they strive to
live in unity. But here this speaks of a “spiritual brotherhood,” such a
relationship comes because of regeneration when we are made children of God,
and therefore, spiritual brothers and sisters.
Such
a fellowship of believing hearts is so precious and sacred a bond that lack of
harmony is a disgrace.
“Behold.” Is
a warning, Satan is daily trying to destroy the unity of the home, church, and
the world itself.
Not
also “true unity” when seen is admired. It influences those that behold it.
“It is good.” Unity
is always good in the work and influence of the church, and in the lives of its
members. For united, we can stand against the dark forces of evil.
“It is pleasant.” Unity
among the people of God is always an attractive, bound together by the same
Lord, the same Spirit, and the same vision.
“Dwell together.” Means
to live continually together in unity, having one heart, one soul, one passion,
one vision. Such oneness gives strength and reward, not just outward
uniformity, by regulations and rules, but an inherent substantial and spiritual
vision, which promotes the glory and the Kingdom of God.
And
represents a heart union of cheerful people ready to work together for one supreme
purpose, all serving God with their own gift and personalities.
2. Verse
two, Unity in oil.
2 It is like the
precious oil upon the head, running down on the beard, the beard of Aaron, running
down on the edge of his garments.”
The psalmist illustrates
the blessing of unity in two ways, oil, and dew.
First,
it is like the special consecration oil of the High Priest. Oil has the general
sufficient of joy, Psalm 23:5; Psalm 104:15, with the related ideas of
fragrance, Psalm 1:3 and of comfort. Isaiah 1:6, but mainly the
oil of priestly anointing was a sanctifying thing, Exodus 30:22-33.
The
abundance of the anointing oil suggested how abundantly the Lord blesses and
sanctifies His people through their fellowship. The oil of concentration
symbolises the priest’s separation from all evils, for it was the oil of
holiness. Brethren able to dwell together in unity are those who live the holy
life of the Temple in the City of God.
Oil
is also the chosen symbol of the Holy Spirit because it is only through His
grace that it is possible to love. For the love of the brethren is the manifestation
of the love of God to us. Is love wanting? Then seek a baptism of the Holy Spirit
in your life.
3. Verse 3, Unity in the
dew.
3 It is like the
dew of Hermon, descending upon the mountains of Zion; for there, the LORD commanded the blessing-- Life
forevermore.”
In
the second place the psalmist likens unity to the refreshing dew, heavy as that
on high Hermon mountain, and falling also in Zion.
The
main idea of dew expresses divine refreshment. God’s gift of life and fruitfulness,
Psalm 110:3, and fellowship is a miracle of divine grace, Ephesians 2:11-22,
therefore individual blessings are shared with mutual profit. Such fellowship
is something God delights to bless and is proof of the possession of life for evermore,
1 John 3:14.
Dew
was the agent of renewal, of refreshment, and of fertilising the land.
Jesus
drops the dew of the Holy Spirit as blessing upon the lowlands of our life, and
that blessing is life for evermore.
Conclusion:
When
brethren dwell in unity, communal brotherhood, kindness, there the Lord
commands the blessing Leviticus 25:21.
