“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brothers to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious oil [of consecration] poured on the head, Coming down on the beard, Even the beard of Aaron, Coming down upon the edge of his [priestly] robes [consecrating the whole body]. It is like the dew of [Mount] Hermon Coming down on the hills of Zion; For there the Lord has commanded the blessing: life forevermore.”
Psalms 133:1-3 AMP
Strife. It’s all around us. We see it in the streets, on the news, and in our churches. I see disagreements rip families apart as one “side” asserts their right or hold up an offense like a flag pole.
The Bible is clear – we are to hate what is evil and cling to what is good, and unity is good and pleasant.
David penned Psalms 133, a song of ascent about the blessings found in unity with the people of G-d.
The Hebrew word for unity in this passage is yaḥaḏ- unitedness or union, alike or altogether. Matthew Henry Commentary describes the unity here as people having one heart, one soul, one interest. It’s not clear if David wrote this for his family, the armies he led, or the people he governed. Whoever the audience of this charge was, David was admonishing the listeners to come together under one, single purpose: the presence of G-d and advancing His kingdom.
David compares this type of unity to the oil that ran down Aaron’s beard onto the hem of his garments – anointing oil that was holy, unique, consecrated, and used for specific purposes – and, an abundance of it, covering his head, dripping off of his beard, and saturating the hem.
David’s words, though written long ago, are convicting. As Believers, how often do we argue over trivial matters? How often is there disagreements over things that just do not matter in the light of eternity?
When we come together and unite around one, singular purpose – rather Person – it is holy before Him.
Unity is holy. Strife is not.
Unity is a blessing. Strife is a curse.
I’m convicted and grieved today over this short, simple passage. There’s a difference between being a “peacemaker” and staying silent for the sake of peace and truly seeking unity – one heart, one purpose, one soul – all pointed towards Him. It will mean laying down our “rights” and embracing the altar. All of this is for Him, and at the end of the day, all of our petty disagreements will be as filthy rags before Him.
May we put off strife and put on unity, ever mindful that our unity, around One Person, One purpose, The One True G-d, is a fragrant, pleasant, holy offering unto Him.
Father, unite my heart to Yours. May Your will be done in and through me. Help me to put off strife and disagreements and put on the oil of unity. You are good. Your leadership in my life is perfect and You can be trusted. Amen.
Daily Reading: Psalms 133