Blessed by Unity
#THE BLESSING OF UNITY
Psalm 133
A SONG OF ASCENTS. Of David.
How good and pleasant it is
when God’s people live together
In unity!
It is like precious oil poured on
the head,
running down on the beard,
running down on Aaron’s beard,
down on the collar of his robe.
It is as if the dew of Hermon
were falling on Mount Zion.
For there the LORD bestows his blessing,
Even life forevermore.
As you may remember, Psalm 132 was unusually long for the Psalms of Ascent, but this month we are back to a short psalm. Psalm 132 celebrates God coming to dwell with his children and had as its theme David bringing the ark of the covenant to Zion and then starting the process of building a permanent dwelling for God in Jerusalem. Psalm 133 celebrates when his children dwell together in love and harmony and discusses the divine blessing associated with that. Its inclusion in the 15 Psalms of Ascent brings to mind pilgrims from all twelve tribes travelling from across the Kingdom of Israel to attend the three feasts in Jerusalem. This is also the fourth and last psalm in the Psalms of Ascent that is attributed to David. As the twelve tribes was first united under his leadership, it is very fitting indeed that he would write a psalm about living together in unity.
The use of the word, “Behold” invites the reader or listener to consider the significance of what follows and emphasizes the importance of the message. Within the context of the pilgrims travelling to Jerusalem, unity was not only important on a national level as different clans came together, but also within individual families, friends and neighbours, young and old, male and female getting along with each other as they competed for the same lodging, food and water after long days of travelling.
In the NIV translation, the word ‘brothers’ is translated as ‘God’s people.’ While Israelites were literally ‘brothers’, we as Christians are also brothers and sisters, adopted into God’s family and addressing Him as Our Father! I love how Eugene Peterson says, “No Christian is an only child.” Secondly, it is very significant that brotherly unity is both good AND pleasant. The word translated “pleasant” is a word that means “beautiful, sweet or lovely.” In Hebrews 12:11 we read that discipline is good but not pleasant at the time it is administered, while other things are pleasant but not good, like too much honey. Yet, living together in unity is both good and pleasant. I love the old poem I came across that addresses the challenge of unity very tongue in cheek: “To live above with saints we love, oh, that will be such glory. To live below with saints we know, well that’s a different story!”
Okay, so let’s move on and take a closer look at the two images David used to describe this inner concord. Living together in unity is like oil poured on Aaron’s head and it is like the dew of Hermon, falling on Mount Zion. In both images the same word, “flows down” is used and is very much the key to the meaning. In both cases the blessing comes from above and then pours down on us and reminds us of James 1:17: “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father.” Thus, these are divine gifts with God the source, for living together in unity is a grace gift from God.
The imagery of oil in the Bible often symbolizes blessing, consecration and the presence of the Holy Spirit. Not only was it common to anoint one’s head with oil as we hear from Jesus himself in Luke 7:46, but the High Priest of Israel was anointed with fine oil – suggesting a special and sacred anointing. The specific formula used for the oil and specifically for the anointing of Aaron, the first high priest, is found in Exodus 30 and consisted of olive oil, myrrh, cinnamon, cassia and cane. The oil flowed down his head, beard and shoulders, down his breastplate, containing the names of the 12 tribes of Israel, to the edge of his robe. It is important to add that the High priest’s robes were intricately designed and held great significance for they symbolized holiness, service and the beauty of God’s presence.
For us as Christians, we understand that the anointing of Aaron points forward to Jesus, who is our High Priest and promised Messiah. Therefore, as born-again believers we understand that as God poured out His Holy Spirit on Jesus, the head, Jesus poured out the Spirit on his body the church. As believers in Christ, we too are called to be a royal priesthood, living lives that reflect God’s holiness and unity.
Boice, a Bible commentator, draws our attention to the threefold repetition ‘running down,’ ‘running down,’ and ‘down’. The Hebrew uses the same verb each time emphasizing that the blessing of Aaron’s anointing was from above himself, that is, from God. In other words, true unity, like all good gifts, is bestowed rather than contrived, a blessing far more than an achievement.
In the second image, Mount Hermon in the far north is the highest mountain in Israel with an altitude of over 9,000 feet and known for its cool nights and heavy dew. While it is covered with snow in the winter, it is green and moist in the summer. Mount Zion again, located in the southern part of Israel, is only 2400 ft above sea level. This region receives very little dew, or rain at all during the summer months. What an amazing thing it would be if the dew of Mount Hermon were to fall on Mount Zion! The dew is probably another symbol for the Holy Spirit, for the Holy Spirit is essential to our unity in Christ. For example, Ephesians 4 tells us: “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”
The word translated ‘falling” here is the same word used for ‘running down’ in verse two. Once again God’s blessing of unity comes down to us from heaven. It is a gift from God and apart from this rich blessing, we are indeed like the dry, arid land of Mount Zion. In other words, unity among God’s people makes life thriving and healthy.
As we reach the last lines ‘For there the LORD bestows his blessing, even life forevermore,’ it is critical for us to understand that as Christians we need to love, apologize, reconcile and forgive our brothers and sisters. When we do this, we will experience Christian unity and God will send his blessing. The more we focus on him, the greater our unity will be, for worship, unity and blessing are all tied up together. Such unity is a foretaste of the perfect fellowship we will share in heaven.
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