Letter to the Congregations: 31st May 2025

Our Dear Brethren,

“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious oil upon the head, running down on the beard, the beard of Aaron, running down on the edge of his garments. It is like the dew of Hermon, descending upon the mountains of Zion; for there the Lord commanded the blessing—life forevermore” (Psalm 133:1-3).

This brief but very beautiful psalm reflects the peace that king David observed and felt as he looked out over the land of Israel. This psalm was meant to be sung as the people of God went up to Jerusalem to keep the Feasts. In particular this psalm might have been written during the time of year when rainfall was scarce and much of the land was watered by dewfall. This would have been sometime between May and October meaning this psalm might have been written to be sung in preparation for Pentecost or for one of the fall Feasts.

David was inspired to include symbols of oil and water, both blessings from God upon the land. An abundance of oil meant that the land and trees were healthy. Dew meant that God was watering the crops even in times with little or no rain. Both oil and water are also symbolic of the gift of the Holy Spirit in the Bible. The Feast of Pentecost that we will be celebrating very shortly, is a reminder of the fact that God has poured out His Spirit upon us. We have been anointed and set apart for His special purposes. And the gift of the Holy Spirit which He has given us is a guarantee (or downpayment) of the everlasting life to come:

“Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee” (2 Corinthians 1:21-22).

Furthermore we are unified together with God and Christ, and with one another as spiritual brethren, through the power of the Holy Spirit. Just as David was delighted by the blessings from God and the thought of God’s people going up to Jerusalem to gather for the Feasts, our God is greatly delighted at the sight of His Spirit filled children gathering on His Feast of Pentecost.

Our love is with you,

Lewis VanAusdle

Pastor, United Church of God

NYC, NJ, CT, Malawi, Zimbabwe