In Psa. 50:5, the Psalmist says:"Gather my saints together UNTO ME; those that have made a
covenant WITH ME by sacrifice." There are two expressions in this verse to which I wish to draw
your attention. The first_UNTO ME_gives the Person to whom the saints are gathered; the
second_WITH ME_gives the authority for their gathering. We must never confuse these two
truths, nor reverse their order. In Matt. 18:20 (J.N.D. Trans.) we have the same order:viz.,
"UNTO MY NAME" and "THERE AM I IN THE MIDST OF THEM."

By referring to Lev. 18:3,4, we see that the children of Israel were not to do after the manner of
the Egyptians, in whose land they had dwelt; nor were they to do after the manner of the people
of the land of Canaan! whither the Lord was bringing them. They were to be safeguarded by doing
the judgments of the Lord and keeping His ordinances, to walk therein; for "I am Jehovah your
God" (J.N.D. Trans.). There was no gathering to the Lord’s name in Egypt or in Canaan by the
people of those lands. Consequently, the people of God must preserve their distinct character as
such by refusing to be linked with them in their religious practices.

It was impossible for the Israelites to remain with the Egyptians or Canaanites and be gathered
UNTO HIS NAME to God’s glory. All Christians are right positionally _i.e., "in Christ"; but
to be right practically, we must seek to be gathered according to Deut. 16, "in the place which the
Lord shall choose to place His name there."

In I Cor. 12:12,13, we learn that there is one body, that we are all baptized by one Spirit into one
body, and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. This unity, thus briefly described, is in the
sight of the Lord, whatever may be the outward condition as seen by men. The question is:Are
Christians so gathered that the oneness of the body of Christ, as taught in the Scriptures, is made
manifest to God’s glory?

Coming to the New Testament, we see the Lord calling and gathering disciples to follow Him.
Andrew and Peter, Philip and Nathanael are seen following Jesus in John 1, while James and John
are noticed in Matt. 4:21,22. By the time we reach Matt. 10, the number has increased to twelve.
Passing into the Acts, we see the grand culmination of this wonderful truth in the formation of the
Church; and all with the specific purpose of having a people together to His glory, as they follow
Him in this world.

One very subtle form of temptation which the enemy employs in seeking to get the people of God
to dishonor Him is an appeal to what is natural. This is seen in Pharaoh and his several
propositions. In Exodus 5, Moses and Aaron tell Pharaoh that they are commanded to go three
days’ journey into the wilderness to hold a feast to the Lord. Pharaoh bluntly refuses to let them,
whereupon the taskmasters lay upon the children of Israel even heavier burdens than before.

Finally, in chapter 8, Pharaoh proposes a compromise:"Go ye, sacrifice to your God in the land."
Then later, he says he will let them go to sacrifice in the wilderness, "only ye shall not go very
far away."

In chapter 10, after further judgments have been visited upon Egypt, Pharaoh’s servants tell him
to "let the men go," inferring that their families be left behind. Then, lastly, Pharaoh proposes that
they take their little ones with them, but leave their flocks and herds in Egypt. How subtle is the
enemy in seeking to hinder the people of God! Let us never be deceived or misled by any of his
wiles!

Regardless of reproach or persecution, let us always remember that the path of obedience to the
Word of God is the path of blessing in every age.