One Unit – A force for the Kingdom

A couple of weeks ago Nel sent me a mechanical translation of Deuteronomy 6:4 via Jeff A Benner (Ancient Hebrew Research Centre).  In part this was related to my study of the Trinity in the Old Testament for the purpose of sharing with both Jews and Muslims who believe Christians have three Gods (we have one God; in three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit).

Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one!

Here is the mechanical translation:

HEAR {שְׁמַע / shê’ma} Yisra’eyl {יִשְׂרָאֵל / yis’ra’eyl} YHWH {יְהוָה / YHWH} Elohiym~us {אֱלֹהֵינוּ / e’lo’hey’nu} YHWH {יְהוָה / YHWH} UNIT {אֶחָד / e’hhad}

This then unlocked a stream of revelation from Holy Spirit which I will unpack here.

The first thing to note is that Elohiym is a plural word.  This is very significant in understanding the trinity but I will leave that for a later post.

Secondly, one  {אֶחָד / e’hhad} is unit, not just a singular one.  The word is strongly connected to the word unity {יְחָד / yakh’·ad} in Psalm 133:1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!

Holy Spirit then showed me a picture of army units, a section, a company, a regiment, a brigade, a division, and a complete army.  Each unit was tasked with an objective, each working together with other units for a single overall purpose of defeating an enemy and establishing sovereign ruler-ship. Whilst any sub-unit may have a specific task and goal, the overall purposes are the same.

I then saw each army unit being specialised ministries, home groups, local congregations, movements, and ultimately the whole body of Christ working together for the Kingdom purposes; ministering salvation, healing, and freedom for the captives.  As a unit we are one; God’s power manifested as a force to transform our region, city, state, and nation.

The next thing that Holy Spirit reminded me of was 1 Corinthians 12 and that the body is one (unit) but many diverse parts. All the parts contribute to the unit objectives.  All the parts are vitally needed.  So whether you are an up front ministry, or a prayer warrior in the quiet place; or on the streets, on the mission field, or working in any of the seven mountains you are vitally important to His Kingdom.  There is no difference between the calling to ministry or to the market place.  In fact all the 12 disciples were market place people.

Finally we are reminded of Jesus’ prayer in John 17:20-21

‘I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word;
21 that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.’

We see here that the oneness is that of a unit and is very much the nature of God to reconcile and bring people together in Him.

It is out of being one in unity with each other and the Lord that we have true power over the forces of darkness and are able to manifest the Kingdom and God. The Lord commands a blessing when we are one unit (in unity) (Psalm 133:3).

Opportunities to bless and manifest the Kingdom are not limited to what takes place among gatherings of Christians (local Church).  The Lord calls us to serve Him in many ways. As Colossians 3:17 teaches, ‘And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.‘
So as a unit (with other brothers and sisters in Christ) we have many ways to manifest the Kingdom of God!