"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 forevermore."
Psalm 133:1-3
These descriptive verses show us with memorable word pictures the beauty of “brothers” living in unity with each other. Whether it be in the church or in a family, unity is an essential part of the body’s ability to function.
Part 1
Today: Dwelling Together in Unity
“Behold.”
Pay attention here! David wants to show us something that is rarely seen. We need to take a long, close look! Here is God’s ideal for each believer in His church. And this is God’s desire for each member of a family. This is something so unusual and valuable that it is worthy of our time to examine it and for each of us to put it into practice. God places His “seal of approval” on this!
“How good, and how pleasant.”
God does not tell us “how good and how pleasant” this unusual “item” is, but He invites us to see it for ourselves. It is a good thing; surely, it will not disappoint anyone who faithfully puts this into practice.
“And how pleasant.”
It’s not just “good,” but also “pleasant.” Spurgeon tells us that “for a thing to be ‘good’ is good, but for it to be pleasant is better.”[1] There are things in this world that are “pleasant” but are not “good.” Sin is like that. If sin were not pleasurable, no one would join in. In our verse, the word “pleasant” means “lovely, charming, attractive; that which fills the mind with delight”[2] (Barnes). Here, the things that are “pleasant” are good. He goes on to say,
“It is descriptive of the pleasure which we derive from a picture, from a landscape, from sweet sounds and gentle voices, or from love”[3] (Barnes).
As God’s child, we also have pleasure by worshipping Him.
“Praise the LORD; for the LORD is good: sing praises unto his name; for it is pleasant” (Psalm 135:3).
What is this fragile but seldom seen thing that David wants us to “behold?”
“It is for brethren to dwell together in unity!”
David is pointing us to “unity.” He says it is unusual to see “brothers” who are unified as they live together. Why is this uncommon? If it is a “good” and right thing for brothers to dwell in “unity,” then it must be an awful, sinful thing for them to be living with “discord” between themselves. That certainly is not what God has planned for His child.
The ancient word translated “unity” here means “one”[4] (Bullinger). It is “one unit.”
The many men of Judah were as “one man” in their agreement with David. Here’s real unity.
“And he bowed the heart of all the men of Judah, even as the heart of one man; so that they sent this word unto the king, Return thou, and all thy servants” (2 Samuel 19:14).
Again, Judah’s numerous men during Hezekiah’s reign were given “one heart” to obey. That is unity.
“Also in Judah, the hand of God was to give them one heart to do the commandment of the king and of the princes, by the word of the LORD” (2 Chronicles 30:12).
To be many individuals, but as “one man,” and with “one heart” seems to be a fair description of “unity,” whether in the family, or the church body.
“We must not only be one in God’s purpose, but must be willing to dwell together, that is, to manifest our unity in outward action”[5] (Meyer).
“Unity” can not happen when each individual in the body is seeking their own way. “Unity” comes at a price. The personal cost for unity is the voluntary bending of the individual’s will to the group’s desire. In the home, if everyone is trying to get the family to go his/her way, unity is impossible. But if each family member is willing to yield their wishes to the group, the family’s unity can be built. Then there is harmony in the home.
A “Christian home” is one in which Jesus Christ, and everyone’s love for Him and His Word, is central. Unity in the home must begin and end with Jesus.
What does family unity smell like? Yes, you read that right! Tomorrow, let’s look together into the fragrance of unity.
Quote: Jesus said, “And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand” (Mark 3:25).
[1] C.H. Spurgeon, Treasury of David, the electronic version in eSword. Psalm 133:1.
[2] Albert Barnes, Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible, the electronic version in eSword. Psalm 133:1.
[3] Ibid.
[4] E.W. Bullinger, The Companion Bible, the electronic version in eSword. Psalm 133:1.
[5] F.B. Meyer. Through the Bible Day by Day, the electronic version in eSword. Psalm 133:1-134:3.