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!
Comments:
We think we get verse 1... it is good to get along with your family, neighbors, community, etc. But living in unity is far more than merely getting along with each other. It refers to something stronger and more relational than simple quiet coexistence. It implies a sharing together, united purpose, as well as assuming a proximity of location.
In our culture we suffer a relational poverty as a result of
the breaking of relationships with our nuclear and extended families. As a
result of such alienation we are increasingly at risk financially, emotionally,
and physically. One of the things we often notice in dealing with people in financial
crisis is that they are alienated from their family, broken relationships that
must be reconciled. When brothers (and sisters) dwell together in unity—of heart,
purpose, mission—it is remarkable good, pleasant, and refreshing (v.3)! Jesus
repeatedly commanded his followers to love one another.
“This is my
commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you… These things I
command you, so that you will love one another.” (John 15:12, 17)
Paul echoes this message and urges unity.
“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.” (Ephesians 4:1-3)
The Apostle John, in his gospel and epistles, reminds his
readers of this command at least ten times.
“Beloved,
if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No
one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is
perfected in us.” (1 John 4:11-12)
But what about verse 2…the part about oil running down the
beard of Aaron? This verse refers to the anointing of the new high priest in
the temple. Instructions about this anointing are given in Exodus 29-30 and Aaron’s
actual anointing is recorded in Leviticus 8:12. It would have been a time of
joy because it involved the preparation of the mediator to minister on the
people’s behalf before God. Could it be that the love and unity we show among
the brethren is a sign that we are prepared by the anointing of the Holy Spirit
to minister on behalf of others?
One other aspect of this I was thinking about today was that
of the cities of refuge where those convicted of manslaughter were allowed to
remain under house arrest until the death of the current high priest. For those
people trapped by the mistakes or the accidents of their past, the anointing of
a new high priest would have been joyful in the sense of release from the
burden of the past. Perhaps when we love each other and dwell in unity it may release
us to bring deliverance to others. What do you think?
I am so very thankful that Jesus, as our High Priest, has cancelled our "house arrest" when we come to Him and receive Him as Savior and Lord of our lives; we needn't live in bondage any longer to the "house" of sin in which we once dwelt.
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