THE BLESSEDNESS OF UNITY
I. THE COMMENDATION
V 1. How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!
1. THE HAPPINESS OF FELLOWSHIP
Good:- Beautiful –Best
Pleasant:- Delightful
"pleasant", is used in the Hebrew for a harmony of music [William Bridge].
What is our true estimation of the fellowship of the saints? Are we really delighted with it? Do we really think it is beautiful, and the best? That is what the Lord thinks of us!
2. THE HARMONY OF FELLOWSHIP
Brethren:- Relationship.
Dwell:- lit. to sit down at ease.
Together:- To be as one.
Unity:- The same Hebrew word is used, is ‘YACHAD’. We have a double emphasis on ‘being as one’
The type of fellowship the Psalmist is speaking of, is between those who are in the same family. Sitting down at complete ease with one another. No grudge, no complaint, but as one. This is true unity, and bears the commendation of the Lord, and must result in His blessing.
II. THE COMPARISON
V 2 & 3a. 2 It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down upon the collar of his robes. 3 It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion.
1. THE REACTION TO THE BLESSING
This should be consecration – anointed for consecrated service.
Precious:- Not in monetary values, although the Old Testament anointing oil was very valuable.
Ointment:- Holy anointing oil.
As the fragrant oil is refreshing, so this affords delight.
Is this the reaction that the blessing of the Lord has on us? Do we set ourselves apart for the Lord’s service as a result of His blessing? Do we realise that the blessing of the Lord is to equip us for service, not just for us to enjoy?
2. THE REFRESHMENT OF THE BLESSING
The dew of Hermon:- Travellers have reported that the dew on the mountain is so great it is as if it has rained all night!
a) The Abundance of God’s Blessing
The dew on the mountain of Zion:- lit. Jerusalem. The City of God. The place of God’s presence. The implication is the true unity of God’s people, which brings . . .
As the copious dew, such as fell on Hermon, falls in fertilising power on the mountains of Zion, so this unity is fruitful in good works. JFB.
b) The Awareness of God’s Presence
If we do not feel God’s presence, it may be that we are not in unity!
III. THE COMMANDMENT
V 3b. For there the LORD bestows his blessing, even life for evermore.
1. THE PLACE COMMANDED
Where? There! The place of unity! The place of God’s presence.
Commanded:- Appointed.
Blessing:- lit. the blessing of God.
By implication –prosperity.
2. THE PROPERTY CONTAINED
Life:- Springing life. Lively.
Evermore:- Without end. Continuous.
What a tremendous blessing is this; a continuos sense of the touch of God upon our lives; of His life within us, springing up even in barren times, times of drought – because God has commanded it! Because there is unity among the family of God – they are as one. The appointing of the blessing by the Lord follows the unity in the family.
If we will truly be aware of the relationship brought about by our salvation, and ‘sit down at ease’ with one another – being as one, we shall begin to appreciate the true beauty of the fellowship of the saints. It will become a delight to us. The result will be an awareness of the blessing of the Lord in our lives every day.
