587_The refreshing oil of harmony among brothers (Psalm 133)

Psalm 133 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!
3 It is like the dew of Hermon,
which falls on the mountains of Zion!
For there the Lord has commanded the blessing,
life forevermore.

Stand in the middle of a forest just before dawn and listen. You will hear creation wake up in layers. First comes the soft wind brushing through treetops, then the call of a distant bird, then another call answering from another direction. Moments later, leaves tremble as small animals begin to move, and soon a chorus of voices — none alike — fills the morning air. No single sound is dominant, but together it becomes something soothing, rich, and full.

Or picture a meadow after rain. The scents of pine, wild mint, rich earth, and blooming flowers mingle. Each fragrance is distinct, yet together they bring something refreshing — something you could never smell from one plant alone. Nature has a miracle built into it: different things, different shapes, different sounds and scents, coming together to create harmony and life. Creation is full of diversity, yet it is not chaotic when it functions as God intended. It becomes a symphony and a fragrance.

Psalm 133 takes us into that same miracle — but among people.

This short but refreshing psalm sheds light on why David was called a man after God’s own heart. He is reflecting what is foremost in the mind of God: unity among His people. Jesus in His high–priestly prayer in John 17:20–21 prayed, “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you… so that the world may believe that you have sent me.”

David likely saw the children of Israel traveling up to Jerusalem from all twelve tribes, converging to worship God. That was a sight to behold. Different family lines, different regions, different stories, different experiences — yet one purpose, one joy, one God. Immediately he exclaims that sight as something spectacular, something noteworthy.

Because from the beginning of human history, brothers — even those who shared the same blood — struggled to live in harmony. Cain and Abel, Abraham and Lot, Isaac and Ishmael, Jacob and Esau, Joseph and his brothers, and even David’s own sons — the list goes on. Conflict, competition, suspicion, rivalry, and division run through the pages of Scripture. When you look through Israel’s long history, unity was rare. Even after the nation was formed, hostility between Judah and Israel continued for generations.

So when David saw brothers from different tribes, with different backgrounds, different levels of wealth, different traditions, all coming together in harmony for the glory of God, his heart rejoiced. “Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell together in unity.” Good — because it is right. Pleasant — because it is beautiful to experience. Pleasing to God — because it reflects His nature.

Then David reaches for two vivid images to help us understand this kind of unity.

“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.”

The oil poured on Aaron’s head during his consecration was not ordinary oil. It was a sacred mixture. Its ingredients were known, but its use was forbidden for any common purpose. Exodus 30:32–33 says it must not be poured on an ordinary person, nor duplicated or imitated. It was holy. Anyone who tried to recreate it for themselves would be cut off.

That points to a powerful truth: the unity of God’s people is something unique, something not produced by human effort or copied from human organizations. It is a work of God. The moment that oil touched Aaron, he was marked. Everyone knew he was the high priest because the fragrance could not be contained. It flowed from his head, down his beard, and even to his robes — touching everything connected to him.

That anointing begins with Christ, our great High Priest. Real unity is not some agreement we create, negotiate, or maintain by force. It flows from Jesus. Without Him, unity becomes hollow and temporary. With Him, it becomes a fragrance recognized by all. Jesus said in John 13:35, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

David gives a second image:

“It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion.”

Mount Hermon is known for its abundant dew, covering its slopes with moisture even during dry seasons. It makes the land green, fertile, and alive — unlike many other arid areas of Israel. The dew comes quietly, gently, yet faithfully. By morning, everything is refreshed.

Unity among God’s people works the same way. It brings life where there would otherwise be dryness. When believers truly live together in harmony, they create an atmosphere where spiritual fruit grows — love, joy, peace, patience, kindness — fruit that cannot grow in the climate of criticism and division. Unity is like morning dew on a dry soul, a refreshing presence that brings healing, nourishment, and growth.

Then David concludes with a promise:
“For there the Lord has commanded the blessing, life forevermore.”

Where brothers dwell in unity — not occasionally, not accidentally, but intentionally — God commands a blessing. Not suggests. Not hopes. Commands. And that blessing is life — flourishing life now, and eternal fellowship with Him forever.

Yet today, we see the sad reality of the body of Christ fragmented. There are divisions over doctrines, denominations, personalities, traditions, and worship styles. Each group often claims to possess the full truth and the perfect understanding. But if the children of God cannot maintain the unity of the Spirit, why would the world believe we belong to Christ? Paul admonishes the Ephesians in 4:1–3 to walk worthy of their calling “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.”

Notice it: unity of the Spirit is not created — it already exists. We are simply called to maintain it. By virtue of being born into God’s family, believers are already united through Christ. The Spirit has made us one. Our task is to guard and preserve that unity.

Later in Ephesians 4:11–14 we read of another unity — “the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God.” That unity takes time and growth. God gives apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds, and teachers to help the church mature, so that we are not tossed by every wind of doctrine. Sadly, many believers break fellowship early, saying they cannot walk together because they do not yet share the unity of faith. But we are called to maintain unity even while we grow toward deeper unity.

So how do we do this?

We begin with humility — seeing others not as competition but as fellow travelers toward Christlikeness. We practice gentleness — not crushing others with opinions or arguments. We choose patience — recognizing that growth is slow. We bear with one another in love — not because we agree on every detail, but because we belong to the same Savior.

Through unity, the church becomes a fragrance, like sacred oil — noticeable, beautiful, unmistakably divine. Through unity, the church becomes like refreshing dew — bringing life, fruitfulness, and healing where the world experiences dryness and division.

Today, ask God to help you become an instrument of unity:
Are there grudges to release? Conversations to seek? Encouragement to give? Differences to set aside?

Let us strive to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, and work toward the unity of the faith by submitting to the gifts God has placed in His church. Unity is a unique fragrance that leads to real life and fruitfulness — a place where the Lord commands His blessing, and life forevermore.