Church Unity
Archibald G. Brown. Psalm 133:1-3 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity!… Short though this psalm be, it is difficult to find a sweeter. Some link it with the period of David's call to the throne, and imagine that it was suggested by all Israel coming to him at Hebron, and saying, "Behold, we are thy bone and thy flesh," and then anointing him king. The strength and health of a nation lies in its unity. And this is true, likewise, of a Church. Note — I. THE GRACE. What is meant by "dwelling together in unity"? It is no mere absence of quarrelling, for that may be owing to the quiet of death. Enter the mortuary attached to the hospice of St. Bernard. There are the frozen corpses of those who have perished ha the snow. They stand upon their feet against the wall. Some have been there for years waiting for friends to recognize and claim them. And there are no quarrels there. But it is the chili of death that keeps them so still. Nor is it dwelling apart in order to have peace. As Abraham separated from Lot. It is a humiliating way of obtaining peace. As if two souls were like two chemicals — kept apart they will do no harm, bring them together and they will explode and shatter everything. Nor is this unity merely engagement in one work. But it is for a member to be actuated as by one soul. One soul in many members. It includes serving one another in love, and it has often to be cemented by forgiveness. Now, such calls for special notice. "Behold." And it is "good." For it is God's will for us. It obeys the new command of Christ. It is one of the chief proofs of our discipleship. It makes the communion of saints good and edifying. II. THE ILLUSTRATIONS. This unity is said to be like — 1. The anointing oil upon Aaron's head (Exodus 30:23-25), which shows that it was made of several different compounds, all precious in themselves. Various are the spices, all "principal" in themselves. The myrrh of love. This takes the precedence. Full measure of this must be found. With this, also, there must be the sweet cinnamon of gentleness, the sweet calamus of meekness, the cassia of longsuffering, and the olive oil of forgiveness. No wonder that the compound was most fragrant. Aaron was not qualified to minister until thus anointed. 2. The dew of Hermon So this unity comes from above: cools the air and makes fruitfulness abound. Uniteth not for men. III. ITS BENEFIT. "There the Lord commanded the blessing." Not for us is it to command a blessing; we can but beg for it. But where is it that the Lord thus commands His blessing? Not where anger and strife, discord and division abound — these have turned many gardens of the Lord into howling wildernesses. But where love reigns — where the holy oil anoints pastor and people alike. May this oil never cease to flow upon the Church, and this Hermon never lack its dew. (Archibald G. Brown.) Parallel Verses KJV: {A Song of degrees of David.} Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! WEB: See how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to live together in unity!