"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
“Christian families” are not perfect, for we are only “sinners saved by grace.” But with the Lord’s help, we are growing in His grace and living for His glory.
Part 3
Yesterday: The Fragrance of 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.”
Unity among believers is like the fragrant anointing oil that affected Aaron’s entire person. Everywhere he went, and everyone who met him knew that He was the Lord’s anointed. He wore the aroma of God’s man. When our homes are unified by God’s grace, we too, can bear witness to others that we belong to Him!
Today: Godly Unity is Like the Dew
A second beautiful word picture is given to us by David. Here he describes unity as the gentle dew.
“As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion.”
Unity among believers has the same effect on them as the dew that comes in the night. It is said that the dew on Mount Hermon was “copious,” that is plentiful and abundant to the point that some mornings everything was soaked.
“…with this dew, even in dry weather, their tents were as wet as if it had rained the whole night”[1] (Maundrell).
“Hermon is the very loftiest peak in all the land of Palestine, and from its snowy cap, when all the surrounding country is parched, the refreshing dew descends upon the mountains of Zion…”[2] (Mackintosh).
The Hebrew word translated “dew” is used thirty-one times in the Old Testament. Each time it is used it seems to be in the context of blessing those who benefit from it. When has dew ever harmed anyone? Never, but it has been a blessing to untold millions!
Dew is ever gentle: it is not heard coming or going, but it drifts in and covers everything, softly. When we awaken in the morning, there it is, blanketing the ground.
Dew consistently waters: in the garden of Genesis, it was the sole means of watering the plants on the earth. Ever since Noah’s flood, the dew has been lightly watering the grass.
Dew vibrantly sparkles: when the sun shines on the dew, it is as if there are millions of diamonds reflecting the heavenly light.
Dew casually refreshes: the air is cleaner, and the dry earth is recharged by its soothing soaking. Plants and people are re-energized in the cool morning dew.
“Dew is a symbol for what is refreshing, quickening, invigorating; and the Psalmist compares the influence of brotherly unity upon the nation to the effect of the dew upon vegetation. From such dwelling together individuals draw fresh energy; the life of the community, social and religious, is revived and quickened.”[3]
The morning dew refreshes everything it touches. And so the family that enjoys unity is blessed and refreshed and it becomes a source of blessing to others.
As the anointing oil poured on him, “descended” from Aaron’s head to beard, to robes (v. 2). So to the dew descending from Hermon’s height to the mountains of Jerusalem (v. 3) is the very picture of the kind of unity God expects of His children, which produces His blessing. William Kethe wrote of God’s blessing and care, back in the 1500s,
“Your bountiful care, what tongue can recite?[4]
It breathes in the air, it shines in the light;
it streams from the hills, it descends to the plain,
and sweetly distills in the dew and the rain.”
The blessings of unity move from the top-down until all are blessed.
“For there the LORD commanded the blessing.”
Where does the LORD command the blessing?
“That is, in Zion, or better still, in the place where brotherly love abounds. Where love reigns, God reigns. Where love wishes blessing, there God commands the blessing. God has but to command, and it is done. He is so pleased to see his dear children happy in one another that he fails not to make them happy in himself”[5] (Spurgeon).
God blesses us in our obedient, godly unity.
“Even life forevermore.”
God’s greatest blessing to us is His “life to eternity.”[6] His “forever life” is granted to all those who are His “redeemed by the blood of the Lamb,” people. How crucial it is that we are actively sharing the Gospel with our family. Parents, be praying for each of your children’s salvation, and live as steadfast examples of God’s “Born again” believers. Consistently layout the truth before your family and ask the Father to drive it deep into each heart.
It is a huge opportunity for believing families to share Jesus Christ with others they are close to. Believers, we must remember that “life is short, and eternity is sure.”
“Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand, there are pleasures forevermore” (Psalm 16:11).
Quote: “Live together in peace with each other. Don’t be proud, but be willing to be friends with people who are not important to others. Don’t think of yourself as smarter than everyone else” (Romans 12:16, HSB[7]).
[1] Maundrell’s quote is given by Adam Clarke. Adam Clarke’s Commentary on the Bible, the electronic version in eSword. Psalm 133:3.
[2] Mackintosh’s quote comes from his article, “The Dew of Hermon,” at the biblecentre.com site. Downloaded: Saturday, January 30, 2021. From: http://biblecentre.org/content.php?mode=7&item=482.
[3] Cambridge Bible, the electronic version in eSword. Psalm 133:3.
[4] “O Worship the King,” the third verse (it is the fourth stanza in the original text), text by William Kethe, pub.1561, recast by Robert Grant, pub.1833. Tune LYONS. Music by Joseph M. Kraus, ca.1785, arr. by William Gardiner, pub.1815. Copyright status, Public Domain.
[5] C.H. Spurgeon, Treasury of David, the electronic version in eSword. Psalm 133:3.
[6] Albert Barnes, Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible, the electronic version in eSword. Psalm 133:3.
[7] The Harvest Study Bible, available through Harvest Ministries, Guam.