Psalm 133:1-3 "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! (2) 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; (3) 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."
How many times have you heard verse one quoted? We know it's true for we have
all experienced it to one degree or another. Whether it be the unity of the
family unit or a community coming together for a common cause, it's wonderful
to see people loving each other and working together. It's heaven on earth when
the people of God come together for the sole purpose of worshiping and praising
our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. It's sad to say, but most of us have
experienced times when the opposite was also true. Why is it that people cannot
live in unity with one another? Well, the Word of God tells us the reason.
Jesus said, "And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax
cold." (Matthew 24:12) James, the half brother of Jesus, tells us,
"From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even
of your lusts that war in your members? " (James 4:1) So I ask again,
why is it that people cannot live in unity with one another? I think pride and
selfishness are the greatest causes of upheaval. We all want it to be our way
and no other.
Yet, the truth remains... "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for
brethren to dwell together in unity!" David uses two examples that were
common knowledge for the people of that day to show just how wonderful unity is
to the child of God. Before the high priest would enter into the holiest of holies,
"precious ointment" would be poured on his head and would run down
his beard even to his garments. This was a unique ointment that was forbidden
to be copied by anyone other than the high priest. When the people could smell
the sweet aroma of the ointment, they knew the high priest was going to go into
the very presence of God to make a sacrificial offering for their atonement.
Unity with the Lord was accomplished. Do you remember what Mary did for Jesus
before He was betrayed and crucified? Yes, precious ointment was poured upon
Him. The aroma of the ointment filled the house where they were sitting. Jesus,
our Great High Priest, was about to enter into the very holiest of holies
(Heaven itself) to present the sacrificial offering of His blood to the Father
on our behalf. We cannot naturally take in that aroma, but by faith, the
sweetness of that aroma assures us that Jesus is our Great High Priest. When
His name is the focus of our lives, we can experience that sweet unity that is
so good and pleasant. We may come back to the "dew of Hermon"
tomorrow, but for now let us be unified in our thoughts of the blessed work of
our Saviour, Jesus!
1 How sweet the name of Jesus sounds
in a believer's ear!
It soothes our sorrows, heals our wounds,
and drives away our fear.
2 It makes the wounded spirit whole
and calms the troubled breast;
'tis manna to the hungry soul,
and to the weary, rest.