The Blessing of Brotherly Unity

How many of you have ever taken something for granted? No show of hands necessary, as we all certainly are guilty. We are riddled with that guilt constantly in our modern culture and our society of convenience. We take people for granted, we take our cars for granted, we take our food for granted, we take our healthcare for granted, we take our freedoms for granted.

Perhaps a most absurd, yet applicable, example of this phenomenon is oxygen. It is most certainly true that hardly one of us examines with any great detail the breath that we inhale at any given moment. We rarely pause to give it a thought, and if we give it a single thought, we certainly don’t give it a second. The oxygen with which we are provided on earth is totally essential to our survival, it is expected to be available and prevalent around us, it is taken advantage of constantly both consciously and subconsciously, yet hardly a moment is spent in consideration of it. Truly, oxygen is one of those things of which it can be said, “we hardly consider the value of its presence until we experience the detriment its absence.”

“We hardly consider the value of its presence until we experience the detriment of its absence.”

addresses another such thing, only this thing is not physically measurable and tangible like oxygen, rather it is transcendent and spiritually vital. It is that of Brotherly Unity. is, in its short and sweet form, about unity. Specifically the unity of those who dwell together as brothers, and by implication, sisters as well.

It is one of the Psalms of Ascent, or Psalms of Degrees, depending on what translation you are reading out of. The Psalms of Ascent are believed to be either songs that would have been sung by those making pilgrimage up to Jerusalem, or those ascending the temple mount or temple steps themselves. In either case, they were songs sung in preparation of the mind to worship. In other words, the idea of unity would have been one of the major facets of the worshiper’s thinking as he journeyed closer to that appointed time.

This specific one is attributed to David. And although David never saw complete unity during his reign, it seems most likely that this could have been written to commemorate or encourage the general sense of unity in Israel that was present at the beginning of his reign. Later in Israel’s history as the uprising of war came, the nation split, and ultimately both sides were carried separately into captivities by pagan nations, this Psalm would become a lament and a distant memory. While David may have originally sung it in praise to God for giving the blessing of unity, People of God throughout the ages have often and unfortunately seen it only as a wish of what could and should be, rather than a testimony to what is.

Because, after all, when it comes to unity, we hardly consider the value of its presence until we experience the detriment of its absence.

In itself is a short but beautiful poem. An English pastor of years gone by put it this way, “Nowhere has the nature of true unity—that unity which binds men together, not by artificial restraints, but as brethren of one heart—been more faithfully described, nowhere has it been so gracefully illustrated, as in this short ode.”

Unity, as it is used specifically here in the Hebrew, is pictured well in a large group acting as one. As in a choir and orchestra all cooperating and functioning together as one body for a beautiful production, so it ought to be with the brothers and sisters in Christ.

I have been told, although I have not experienced it in my lifetime, that in our culture we have experienced a fundamental shift in the way that persons view themselves. It seems to many who have lived much longer than most here, that the shift that has taken place is that of morphing out of a sense of greater responsibility to our fellow man, and morphed into a greater sense of the needs and desires of self. Self-reliance, self-sufficiency, american individualism, selfishness, whatever you may coin it as.

Boice, J. M. (2005). : An Expositional Commentary (p. 1159). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books.

When i say i have not experienced it, i mean that I have not experienced the shift. Rather what I have experienced in being brought up in our modern culture is a pattern in which the greatest factor in any given decision or situation is the satisfaction and fulfilment of individual desires. We see the destructive patterns that this mindset creates. But of course, this is not a new beast. Scripture does not speak blindly as if unity in brotherhood is the automatic position that human beings take, and that is why here in our text it is so highly extolled. It is extolled exactly for the reason that it is not the default position. Rather, really, it is the opposite of the default. And for this reason, because we wrestle against spiritual wickedness, we find that same detriment trying to rear its ugly head in our congregations. It is ugly enough when an individual in a secular context is self-seeking, but there can be nothing more heart-wrenching and painful to experience than when we find that pattern in church life - the pattern in which the greatest factor in any given decision or situation is the satisfaction and fulfilment of individual desires.

extols unity because it is rare, it is miraculous, but it is so essential to the lives of brothers and sisters both in the days of temple worship in Jerusalem, and transcending now to Christ’s Church.

So together as we briefly view this short psalm, may we see that

Brotherly unity is a blessing from God that stems from Christ’s work of reconciliation.

In doing so, I want to point out

The Wonder of Unity

The Working of Unity

The Wellspring of Unity

1. The Wonder of Unity - Vs. 1

Notice that the first word in the text of the Psalm itself is “Behold!” “Look Intently” “Pay attention to this.” If, in fact, David was writing this during the time when Israel was experiencing some level of peace and unity, he certainly was not taking that for granted. Rather, he chooses here to place great emphasis on the presence of it. To lengthen in paraphrase, we might say, “Pay attention to what God has blessed us with!” “Don’t be jaded and calloused to the experience of unity.” And that should be our first warning in this regard as well. If God has blessed us with the presence and sense of unity, don’t take it for granted! Don’t imagine for a moment that it is the automatic outcome of human nature.

He extols the wonder of Unity in two ways. He says it is good, and it is pleasant.

That unity is good refers to its inherent nature.

It is an inherently good thing to be at unity with your brothers and sisters. It is Good because it is part of God’s design, part of His will of command for us, to dwell together and have the same mind.

Ephesians 4:1–6 ESV

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

Just as David extols unity as being inherently good, Paul URGES believers to maintain the unity of the Spirit. In other words, although it is not something that is the default position of human nature, unity is something that is worked within us spiritually as reflecting the very nature of God.

That it is pleasant refers to its experiential nature. It is an experientially o

S0, that unity is good refers to its inherent nature.

That unity is pleasant refers to its experiential nature.

It is an experientially pleasant thing to have unity as brothers and sisters in Christ. Just as in any relationship, when there is strife and discord, there is no warm fuzzy feelings. If i may be candid, there are times in my marriage when i may act out in the flesh, when i may respond carnally and show the ugly head of my indwelling sin. In those moments, there is no enjoyment of the marital bond i have with Lizzy. The bond is still there contractually, but in the moment i have given in to the sin of strife or resentment, I have willfully traded the blessing of a peaceful bond of unity for the temporary satisfaction of wielding the power of my selfishness.

Listen to how Paul talks about unity in .

Romans 15:5–7 ESV

May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.

To paraphrase, Paul is saying, “My prayer is that God will bless you with harmony in Christ so that you can all live the life of glorifying God together.” You can hear the same tone that David has in . How good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell together in unity!

Although this is not explicit in the text, it certainly is implicit. If David says how good and pleasant it is for brothers to dwell in unity, then we may safely imply the opposite is true. That is to say,

“How evil and unpalatable it is when brothers dwell in discord.”

And this is not pastor Aaron speaking, but listen to Peter in .

1 Peter 3:8–12 ESV

Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. For “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

While encouraging unity in the lives of the believers, he brings the warning of to bear on those who seek to do the opposite.

The reason Unity is a wonder is because it is good, yes, and it is pleasant, yes, but it is miraculous. And we see that in the next verses.

2. The Working of Unity - Vs. 2-3a

After extolling the wonder of unity, David then gives two visual illustrations that would have been vivid pictures in the minds of his audience. We in 2019 need a bit of an imagination to see the imagery, but it really is not difficult.

The first picture he gives is that of the anointing oil running down the head of the high priest, Aaron. The Oil that moses used to anoint Aaron would have been made especially for that purpose, and it was done according to God’s design. It was a fragrant ointment, and it would have been poured so profusely upon the head of Aaron that it would run down and drip from his beard on to the collar of his robe. Anointing was done at God’s direction, in his way, and was a symbol of His authority.

The blessing of anointing of Aaron was a work of God, and such it is with unity.

The second picture he gives is that of the dew of mount Hermon. Mount Hermon is a 9,000 foot peak north of Israel, it is visible for over 100 miles in several directions, and it is known for its profuse precipitation. Perhaps David often gazed into the distance at mount Hermon. He thought of the rainfall there, the heavy dew as a blessing from heaven, and how that water eventually flowed down into Israel in the Jordan River. The Dew that descends on Mount Hermon and the Mountains of Zion was seen as a direct blessing of life from God himself. It breeds life, productivity, and success in an agricultural sense. So it is with unity. It is a blessing that flows directly from God, and in Christ’s church it breeds life, productivity, and success.

Roger Ellsworth puts it this way,

“A divided church is always a distracted church. The dissension becomes the focal point. But unity allows the church to focus on its high task and glorious privilege of preaching the gospel.” - Roger Ellsworth

If nothing else, David’s pictures of the oil on Aaron’s beard and the dew on the mountains shows us that unity comes from God himself, and it is a work of his hands. But another application that can be made here is this, as unity flows down from God to us, it also continues that flow as God uses us, his united people, to show his glory. So while unity is a work and a blessing of God, it is also our loving responsibility as his children to foster and pass it along. Consider a couple scriptures.

Romans 12:10 ESV

Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.

Galatians 6:10 ESV

So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.

Ephesians 4:32 ESV

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

We are encouraged, commanded really, to love, honor, do good to, be kind to, and forgive one another. And these are just a few of the natural instances of the flow of unity.

And because unity is a work of God and he commands us to foster and develop it, that means that there is absolutely no room for any personal agenda to exist in light of God’s desire for unity.

As selfish individuals, we are often so blind as to think “we will have unity as soon as my list of requirements or demands are met.” When we have this view of unity, we do nothing more than go back to that pattern in which the the greatest factor in any given decision or situation is the satisfaction and fulfilment of individual desires. This is not only in disobedience to Christ, but it is a very visible blight on the witness and testimony of a local body.

Just as the fragrant aroma and vivid picture of the oil on Aaron’s beard, and just as the refreshing and replenishing flow of water and dew from the mountains, may we see the working of unity as a gift from God above that cannot be wrought by our hands and our personal agendas. Rather, may we foster his blessing of unity, and see it as it truly is.

And that is...

3. The Wellspring of Unity - Vs. 3b

In verse 3, David connects the dew of Zion with the place of blessing. For the Jew in Israel, Zion was seen as a direct picture of God’s reign, of his victory over enemies, of his stronghold, of his peace. Especially during the peaceful times of David’s reign.

From here, this place of God’s reign and of his peace, God commands the blessing - life forevermore. And it is here that we see unity’s greatest picture. Brotherly unity is a small but potent foretaste of the blessing of eternal life itself. Put in other words, dwelling together in unity with you turkeys now is a little taste of heaven here and now.

How is this so?

It is so because brotherly unity is rooted first in the unity of the Godhead, and then in God’s choosing to redeem people for his own glory. In Jesus’ High Priestly prayer in , much of the theme is the unity of the believers.

John 17:21 ESV

that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.

Here we see the prayer for unity of the believers, and the basis of that is the unity of the Godhead.

John 17:6 ESV

“I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word.

Lets ask the question bluntly, Ok? How did we all get stuck together. I mean, out of all the motliest bunches of ragtag unrelated and problematic people we could associate with.. us? I mean, seriously, why us? Why are we together in this and why is it that we are all somehow tied together in this whole thing.

Well from a human perspective, that is what it seems like. It seems like a disorganized and unrelated group of people that all find some form of belonging together and so we congregate all over the world and try to stick together on some main points of belief.

But in reality, it is much more precise and much more glorious than that. Why are we stuck together? I’ll tell you why, it is because God ordained it from before the foundation of the world to be so. He ordained that out of a people who were on the fast track to rebellion and fall he would redeem some from every kindred, tongue, tribe, and nation that in the age to come he might eternally display the riches of his grace toward us in Christ.

Why are we tied together in this whole thing? It is because from eternity past the plan of the Godhead was in unity to choose you and I out of the world to be the very bride of Christ. It was his will to reconcile us to himself, we who were enemies and foreigners.

Colossians 1:21–22 ESV

And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him,

Colossians 1:19–22 ESV

For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him,

Why are we stuck together? Because He stuck us together by his own will and for his own glory. That is why in Moses says that Yaweh’s portion is his people. He has chosen us, his people, for his inheritance. Imagine that. So the next time you find id difficult to live in unity with your brother or sister and you think, “well I would be happier if i didn’t have to try and if i could just remain indifferent,” remember that this whole business of Brotherly unity is not for you, its for God’s glory! An if you cannot be motivated by that, then may God help you to catch a vision for his glory, because that is the only thing that will drive us forward as fellow laborers in his kingdom.

God’s sovereign choosing of a people for his own glory is the reason for Christian unity, but there is a human aspect to it as well. He does not desire for us to simply tolerate one another. Consider Christ’s New commandment in

John 13:34–35 ESV

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

God has sovereignly ordained that we, his people, would show his possession of us by our love for one another. And what is Christ’s example in that love? It is his love for us. And let me tell you, if Christ’s love can look with redeeming pardon on every filthy, disgusting, vile stench and stain of sin withing my being, then why do we struggle to look at one another, our equals, with love and unity? God’s choosing of us for his possession and Christ’s redeeming and reconciling love for us displayed on the Cross is the reason why, now, when I do look over this group of misfit, ragtag, disorganized, unrelated bunch of people, i don’t see the ugly stain of sin that is yours and mine by nature, rather, through the eyes of the gospel i see what Christ sees, and that is a beautiful bride. A the portion of Yaweh Himself. Brothers and sisters who have been adopted together with me into the same glorious family by the loving and sovereign hand of God.

Don’t diminish Brotherly unity to “just getting along” or “just tolerating one another because Jesus told me to.” See it as it is - a wellspring of blessing that points our gaze ultimately upward into heaven where we see God’s hand at work in our lives sanctifying his people, his portion, his inheritance. So in stead of living in a pattern in which the greatest factor in any given decision or situation is the satisfaction and fulfilment of individual desires, may we seek to live in brotherly unity for the glory of God. May it not be like oxygen in that we hardly consider the value of its presence until we experience the detriment of its absence.

"Brotherly unity is a blessing from God that stems from Christ's work of reconciliation."