The Sweet Smell of Unity in the Nostrils of God
Words fail to describe the beauty of brethren living together in unity. This little Psalm pictures it for us by recalling the dedication of Aaron, Israel’s High Priest. We find the account of it in Exodus 29:4-7,
And Aaron and his sons you shall bring to the door of the tabernacle of meeting, and you shall wash them with water. Then you shall take the garments, put the tunic on Aaron, and the robe of the ephod, the ephod, and the breastplate, and gird him with the intricately woven band of the ephod. You shall put the turban on his head, and put the holy crown on the turban. And you shall take the anointing oil, pour it on his head, and anoint him.
Notice, they didn’t just put a little dab of oil here, and a little dad there. They were told to pour it over Aaron’s head. Its fragrance must have been amazing. Doubtless it permeated the atmosphere all around and wafted on the breeze for no telling how far. It’s ingredients were prescribed by God to Moses in Exodus 30:22-25:
Then the LORD said to Moses, “Take the following fine spices: 500 shekels [a] of liquid myrrh, half as much (that is, 250 shekels) of fragrant cinnamon, 250 shekels [b] of fragrant calamus, 500 shekels.. of cassia—all according to the sanctuary shekel —and a hin [c] of olive oil. Make these into a sacred anointing oil, a fragrant blend, the work of a perfumer. It will be the sacred anointing oil.
Footnotes:
a. Exodus 30:23 That is, about 12 1/2 pounds or about 5.8 kilograms; also in verse 24
b. Exodus 30:23 That is, about 6 1/4 pounds or about 2.9 kilograms
c. Exodus 30:24 That is, probably about 1 gallon or about 3.8 liters
When God sees unity of heart and purpose in his people, it is like the sweet smell of this in his nostrils.
Beloved, need I remind you that -- all we believers in the Lord Jesus Christ are a sacred priesthood too? We are not Aaronic priests, however, we are Melchizedekan priests, of whom our Jesus is the High Priest (1 Pet 2:9; Heb 5:5-10; 4:14).
It is very painful to observe disunity wherever it exists in the Body of Christ. It occurs when we lose sight of the fact that our unity is centered in our common believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. He is our focal point. We don’t have to agree with each other to be unified as long as we keep Jesus at the center of our fellowship with one another. Then, in all other areas, all we have to do is agree to disagree agreeably!
So, let’s forever keep in mind that, as believers, we are all one in Christ. He’s the main thing. Whoever names the name of Christ is my brother and my sister. Centered on him, we can have sweet fellowship with one another and present sweet unity to the world around us.
Jn 13:34-35 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.
When this happens, beloved, Psalm 133 is fulfilled in you and me.
Rom 12:16 Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.
1 Cor 1:10 Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
Phil 2:2 …fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
Phil 4:2 I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord.(Someone has labeled these two saints, “Odorous and SoonTouchy” .. ha)
One other thing is expressed in this little Psalm. Did you catch it? In the last verse, as it is picturing the unity of the brethren being like the dew coming down on the mountains Zion… the thought shifts and it says,
For there the LORD commanded the blessing—Life forevermore.
When this was written, this was a prophecy. Now, however, it has become a reality. Jesus’ death on the cross took place there, you see, and because of it, you and I can have eternal life. As we have it in John 3:16,
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
A blessing indeed ... and the prophecy to Abraham fulfilled ... that through his.. seed..all the nations of the world would be blessed (Gen 26:4).
Created 10 months ago
