The Power of Unity

‘Beneath this surface the wings of each living being stretched out to touch the others’ wings, and each had two wings covering its body. As they flew, their wings sounded to me like waves crashing against the shore or like the voice of the Almighty or like the shouting of a mighty army. When they stopped, they let down their wings’ (Ezek 1:23-24).

In the first chapter of the book of Ezekiel, he describes in detail his vision of God and the angelic host. Ezekiel describes each of the four living creatures, as having four faces and four wings. Let’s consider how he describes their faces, ‘Each had a human face in the front, the face of a lion on the right side, the face of an ox on the left side, and the face of an eagle at the back’ (Ezek 1:10). About these four faces and wings, Matthew Henry comments that, ‘They have the understanding of a man, and far more. A lion excels in strength and boldness. An ox excels in diligence and patience, and unwearied discharge of the work he has to do. An eagle excels in quickness and piercing sight, and in soaring high; and the angels, who excel man in all these respects, put on these appearances. The angels have wings; and whatever business God sends them upon, they lose no time. They stood straight, and firm, and steady. They had not only wings for motion, but hands for action’.

Considering these powerful and seemingly unlimited angels, some profitable lessons can be learnt from them. In this study the main lesson that is being learnt from them is their unity. Regardless of the tremendous power and strength each of the four living creatures possesses by virtue of their design by God, one striking thing is the unity with which they operate. In Ezekiel one, the eleventh and twenty third verses reveal that, ‘Each had two pairs of outstretched wings—one pair stretched out to touch the wings of the living beings on either side of it’. This clearly reveals that they were created to function as a unit and they see themselves as such, working together and depending on each other. Men were equally created to function as a unit.

Many at times we are tempted to think that because of some unique potentials we posses, we don’t need other people, and we can survive and be successful by going solo. It is interesting to note that when God was creating the world His words were ‘let Us make…’ (Gen 1:26). If God the Father saw the need to work together with the two other members of the Trinity, you surely need other people in your life to win the battles of life and get to your promised land. You even need those that you may disagree with on some issues. In 2 Tim 4:11 Paul said ‘Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry’. It is interesting to note that previously, in Acts 15:36-40, Paul and Barnabas went separate ways because they had a sharp contention over the same John Mark, their travelling companion. Paul didn’t want John Mark to accompany him in ministry anymore, since John Mark had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in their work’. You need others in life, don't give up on people so easily.

Finally, be reminded of this wisdom nugget, ^‘two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble… A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken' (Eccl 4:9-12).

Today, heal broken relationships, God brought those people into your life for a purpose, you will need them some day, don’t wait till then. Your strength lies in your ability to forgive, let go and let God.