Psalm 133 A Guide For The Climb #14 — War For Unity Welcome video venues (if any)

Psalm 133 (ESV)— A Song of Ascents. Of David. 1 Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! 2 It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes! 3 It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion! For there the Lord has commanded the blessing, life forevermore.

Today: Unity, amongst God’s people, is beautiful and ought to be fought for.

1 Unity — the good kind — comes from God (133:2-3)

2 It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes! 3 It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion! For there the Lord has commanded the blessing, life forevermore.

2-3 Running down / Running down / Which falls / The Lord has commanded: Unity comes from above, from God. He must bring it, because man cannot.

And Christ is the source of God’s unity. To quote the last phrase of the song, applying it to the cross — “there the Lord has commanded the blessing, life forevermore” (Psalm 133:3).

His great plan for the fullness of time — Ephesians 1:10 (ESV)—10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

Three areas of unity God works towards:

1 Unity with God:
2 Unity with others:
3 Unity within the self:

2 Unity is both healthy and enjoyable (133:1-3)

1 Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!

1 Good and pleasant: Unity is both good and pleasant, healthy and enjoyable. Like precious oil (2) and refreshing dew (3).

We always like “pleasant” things, while often acknowledging “good” things. Unity is not only good, but also pleasant. Example: Like flossing or sit-ups or certain taxes.

3 Unity enables us to dispense with uniformity (133:1)

1 Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!

1 Brothers: The tribes ascended to Jerusalem in unity, but not uniformity. But they realized their origin as tribes were twelve brothers. We easily forget they were comprised of tribes, clans, families, young, old, male, and female. In Jerusalem, they were reminded of their unity, partly by noticing their differences.

It is when believers are unified beauty results.

The church — centered around the gospel and word of God — will take different shapes throughout the nations. We are not uniform, but we are unified.

1 Corinthians 12:4–6 (HCSB)—4 Now there are different gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are different ministries, but the same Lord. 6 And there are different activities, but the same God activates each gift in each person.

Jesus is into unity, not uniformity.

4 Unity comes when I change my view of you (133:2-3)

2 Aaron: This example is from the ordination of the priests. For the oil to flow meant the priesthood was in full swing, operating strongly.

2 Dew: This example is from Israel’s topography. Hermon is a 9K’ tall mountain in Lebanon/Syria. The dew and snow and general moisture there was unknown in Jerusalem, especially during the months they would sojourn there. This dew is a picture of moisture and growth in an otherwise dry place.

Unity comes when I change my view of you. When I see you as a priest in my life.

A holy and royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:5, 9).
Your walk is important to the church, to me, for it impacts us all.

When I believe in the possibility of your growth.

5 Unity leads to life (133:2-3)

2 Oil on the head, running down the beard, on the beard of Aaron: Israel is healthy. Worship is healthy. Israel is healthy. Worship is healthy.

Cyclical life: Unity leads to worship. Worship leads to unity. Both lead to effectiveness.

3 Like the dew of Hermon / on / Zion!: Life on Zion/Jerusalem!

3 Life forevermore: A taste of heaven is what we’re tasting with unity. Eternity will be a place of beautiful community.

So unity leads to life. And discord leads to death.