What comes to mind when you think of unity? Maybe words like being one, conformity, in harmony, or agreement pop in your head.
The definition you probably won’t find in the dictionary is “obedient.” But if we look at the early Israelites as our example, we see how obedience and unity work together.
Moses had to lead a lot of people to the Promised Land—people who were in close quarters and saw each other every day. They were people with differing opinions and interests, no doubt.
The Bible gives numerous accounts of the Israelites exemplifying unity under Moses, as well as accounts of disarray. My favorite example of unity is found in Exodus 24:3, which says the people “responded with one voice, ‘Everything the Lord has said we will do.’”
The Israelites may not have agreed on the details, but they chose to agree on one basic thing: obedience.
What would it be like if we shifted our focus from agreeing on the details to doing what the Lord asks of us? If we would all commit individually to obeying God’s commands instead of negotiating with one another to reach unity?
I have a feeling if we made obedience our focus, we would become more united than if we simply tried to agree with one another. Through our obedience, He could put us together like the pieces of a puzzle to make us one, to unify us into what He wants us to be.
When Moses went and told the people all the Lord’s words and laws, they responded with one voice, “Everything the LORD has said we will do.” —Exodus 24:3, NIV
Prayer: Lord God, help us to obey. As you give us opportunities to obey on an individual basis, may we be faithful in order to reach unity in your name. Amen.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Jana Burnham works as an Administrative an Media Assistant at the Global Ministry Center in Colorado Springs, Colo.
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Nicely stated.
“I have a feeling if we made obedience our focus, we would become more united than if we simply tried to agree with one another.”