Psalm 133 (King James version) :
01 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
02 It is like the precious ointment upon the head that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments;
03 As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life for ever more.
I have always been very interested in Psalm 133, which tells about harmony in shared dwellings. I am especially interested in the last line of verse 3, where it says that it is there where God sends blessing and eternal life. My interest in this part of the psalm is due to the fact that God has always answered my prayers by stating that He has a special blessing for His church, and that in order to receive this blessing we must actually be part of the church.
Whenever I read this psalm and got to this point, I would ask God which blessing is this that comes from living together and in harmony. And then I asked myself, does that mean that those brethren that do not live together are missing on that blessing? For a long time, even years, that was a real mystery to me. However, God is faithful and just and He gave me an answer.
One day while I asked myself which this blessing mentioned in Psalm 133 was, God led me to the book of Exodus, chapter 17, verses 08 to 16. It says in Exodus 17:06-16
08 Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim
09 And Moses said unto Joshua: choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in my hand.
10 So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron and Hur went up to the top of the hill.
11 And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.
12 But Moses hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.
13 And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.
14 And the Lord said unto Moses, Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: for I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven.
15 And Moses built and altar, and called the name of it Jehovah-nissi:
16 For he said, Because the Lord has sworn that the Lord will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.
If we analyze this part of the Scripture closely, we can see a series of revealing details that shows that blessing that Psalm 133 deals with. These details are:
1-Moses told Joshua to choose young men to fight against Amalek. This makes me understand that whenever I am with and am part of the Church, there will always be somebody willing to fight for me in times of war (this struggle may occur through the prayers for those who are going through a time of conflict or testing)
2-Moses told Joshua that while the latter fought, he, Moses, would be over the top of the hill with God’s rod (the staff) in his hand. That hill was a high landmark, and in those ancient times at times of war such high places were searched de to the strategic advantage they offered. They allowed for a better view of what may happen at the battlefield. This means that the Church gives us a strategic position in the war against the enemy, since it gives us a better view of what may be happening. This better view comes to us as we are able to see through God’s eyes and from God’s position. Regarding God’s staff in the hand, it was a symbol of authority; more precisely, God’s authority. Thus it shows that being together and in unity gives us God’s authority against the enemy.
3-When Moses got tired and would lower his hands, Amalek prevailed, but then Moses’ friends helped him raise his hands again and Moses’ troops once again prevailed against Amalek.
During times of trouble, many times spiritual tiredness and lack of motivation will come to one’s life, but we can count on somebody who will always help me to raise my hands against the enemy. Even more, to command with God’s authority. Let us remember that God’s staff was in the hands of Moses and that Aaron and Hur helped him to keep them up. In togetherness we also find rest. The passage says that Moses had a stone to sit on while the battle raged on. How many times we, amidst difficult situations, find rest among our church’s brethren who fight for us, are there for us, and give us support throughout the battle?
4-Victory is ours. In this part of the Scriptures we see how Amalek was destroyed, and God announced He would fight Amalek for ever (from generation to generation). This means the enemy will always wage war against God’s people, but in the unity of His Church, God has promised us the victory. Thus, this passage is about teamwork.
Currently, one of the main areas of motivation for people that must belong to any kind of group is the concept of teamwork. This concept includes making each group member realize their importance inside the group, and the way their work is of value for their group mates and for the group’s success. Teamwork is used to motivate from great enterprises and companies to sport teams: any human organization whose success depends on the members’ unity needs to work as a team.
The Church, as a human group, is not outside the need to work as a team for its success. This is clearly shown in the excerpt from the Exodus we have analyzed. God knew His people very well and so He made it clear, if we pay close attention, that Israel’s victory was possible because each of the characters fulfilled and played an essential role.
We are one body in Christ to show that God understands teamwork very well, we may see it mentioned in the following quotes from the Scriptures:
Colossians 1:18 (King James version)
18: And he is the head of the body, the church
1 Corinthians 12:12-30 (King James version)
12: For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. 13: For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. 14: For the body is not one member, but many. 15: If the foot shall say, “Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body”; is it therefore not of the body? 16: And if the ear shall say, “Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body”; is it therefore not of the body? 17: If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? 18: But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. 19: And if they were all one member, where were the body? 20: But now are they many members, yet but one body. 21: And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. 22: Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: 23: And those members of the body, which we think to be less honorable, upon these we bestow more abundant honor; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. 24: For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honor to that part which lacked: 25: That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. 26: And whether one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. 27: Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. 28: And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that, miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. 29: Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? 30: Have all the gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?
Romans 12:04-09 (King James version)
4: For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: 5: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. 6: Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; 7: Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; 8: Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness. 9: Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
Conclusion:
Psalm 133 tells us that God sends a blessing there where the brethren live together in harmony. We can understand this blessing as the benefit obtained from belonging to the body of Christ, which is His church. In order to let this blessing flow, each of the members of the church must be committed to use the gifts God has given them to serve their brethren, which will allow each one to enjoy the other one’s gift. God calls us, all the members of His people, to be of one mind and one accord for the benefit of the Church.
We can say that that being committed to serve the Church means being at Christ’s service, for we must remember He is the head of the church. It means being willing to work as a team, which shall benefit all of us equally. As we can see then, the teamwork that must take place in the Church is described by God when he tells us we are part of the body of His Son Jesus Christ. This relationship not only gives us, the Church members, benefits but also responsibilities.
Those passages analyzed show us the way God has given to each one of us a series of gifts to be used to serve the Church. We must then keep in mind that the success of the church will correspond to the amount of commitment given by each of the members of the church to put his or her God-given gifts, for His purpose at the service of the church. This will bring forth a reciprocal relationship where I am able to enjoy the gifts given by God to other members of the Church, who will be using them for the benefit of their brethren.
Moses was able to enjoy victory against Amalek because Joshua fought for him. while Aaron and Hur held his arms up, which in turn held God’s staff. Aaron and Hur enjoyed the victory against Amalek because Joshua fought for them while Moses held God’s staff for them. Joshua enjoyed the victory against Amalek because Moses held God’s victorious staff for him, and at the same time Moses was helped by Aaron and Hur.
Where are "Moses", "Aaron", "Hur", and "Joshua" in our church today?
