THE DEW OF HERMON

“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! 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; 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 evermore.”

I wonder if we are able to catch all that this writer is trying to impart. These are words fill with extremely deep meaning. These are words needed to be heard in the society in which we live. Today, our society and our world are in desperate need of the message given in these three short verses. The profound message should go deep within the recesses of our being and assist us in finding a better understanding of what unity is all about.

Here we have two wonderful illustrations of unity among brethren. It is like the ointment descending from the head of the high priest to the skirts of his garments, and it is like the dew descending in refreshing power, from Hermon’s snowy top. It is one thing to talk about unity, and another thing altogether to dwell in it. We may profess to hold “the unity of the body, and “the unity of the Spirit,” the most precious and glorious truths, and all the while be really full of selfish pride, party spirit, and sectarian feeling, all of which are entirely destructive of practical unity. If Brethren dwell together in unity, they must be receiving the ointment from the refreshing showers from the true Hermon.

See the proof of the excellence of Brotherly Love, where Brethren dwell together in unity and the Lord commands the blessing. If we could persuade people to live together in peace, it would be wonderful. Most of the time our experience in life tends to be a life where there is everything but harmony. Our fast-pace, more or less, demands that we seek to achieve or climb a ladder. When this becomes the norm in life, there are too many occasions when we do not take the time to understand what others are thinking or feeling. We are always looking over our shoulder wondering who is creeping up on us, trying to by-pass us, or perhaps trying to push us out of line for something we seek. It is important that, when we come to this point in life, we take time to know who we are and what we are. We must examine our lives and feel the goodness that can be there when all is harmonious. I am sure there have been times in our lives when we have known this feeling of tranquility, peace or calm. Perhaps it has come when the kids are finally in bed and settled down. All is quiet, and for a few moments, you can sit back and enjoy the peace of life. The writer is saying that it is this kind of feeling that is great, and should be the norm in our lives. How good and how pleasant it is when we can dwell in unity. It is good for our honor and comfort, and brings constant delight to those who do live in unity. The pleasantness of this is similar to the holy anointing oil. It is profitable as well as pleasing. It cools the scorching heat of men’s passions, just as the dews cool the air and refresh the earth. It moistens the heart, and makes it fit to receive the good seed of the word, and to make it fruitful.

During my lifetime, I have witnessed all too often, when people disagree on issues, it is not just a difference of opinion, but it is like a wedge that separates and divides. People state their side of an issue and then immediately shut off their hearing. There does not seem to be any willingness to attempt to hear what the other person is trying to say.

Nor, is there an effort made to try to find a way where things can be worked out in agreement between the parties. Somehow, there must come a moment, when we take the initiative, and become the person who is willing to listen, and seek to dwell in unity. We are living in a time when there is great discord in our society. People are running here and there, each doing their own thing, not being mindful of others, and are bound and determined, to be there first.

By dwelling together, we confirm ourselves as Brothers united together in our search for truth. During that gathering, we invigorate each other by having the attentive ear listen to the instructive tongue of a Brother, as he exercises that instructive tongue to impart wisdom and speak from the heart. Finally, we use the faithful breast as a repository, not only for the secrets of Freemasonry, but also for the confidence entrusted to us, by our Brethren.

So remember my Brothers, to strive to be in unison with another, upon the level, with love, helping your Brother. In closing let me leave you with his thought:

We stand as a force, united together,
In rain and in snow,
Not only in fair weather.

As Brothers, we stand united forever.
Traveling upon the level as we endeavor
To reach that spiritual house, not made with hands,
While the hourglass slowly releases, those grains of sand.

We are standing and living by the golden rule.
Until that day when we lay down our working tools.
To that glorious light of yours we hasten
As your Creation, your children, and as Freemasons.


“BEHOLD, HOW GOOD AND HOW PLEASANT IS FOR BRETHREN TO DWELL
TOGETHER IN UNITY”

Historical note:
Mount Hermon’s summit is on the border between Syria and Lebanon. The southern slopes have been in Israeli control since the six - day war in 1967. Mount Hermon supplies the bulk of the Jordan’s river water, and is Israel’s only ski resort.

Hiram Abiff
The Widow’s Son

"No man has ever knelt at our altar of Obligation an arose the same man."
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