Jdg 1:3 And Judah said unto Simeon his brother, Come up with me into my lot, that we may fight against the Canaanites; and I likewise will go with thee into thy lot. So Simeon went with him.

Judah and Simeon were brothers from the same mother Leah. Judah invited Simeon his brother to join hands in the conquest of Canaan. Simeon agreed and so together they joined hands in making war upon the Canaanites.

The lots of Judah and Simeon were closely united. If you look at a map of the divisions of Canaan, you will see that the lot of Simeon was located within the lot of Judah. Therefore, it made sense for them to join forces together to chase out the common enemy residing in that region. Judah, being a stronger tribe, would be a great help to Simeon, a weaker tribe. Simeon would ride on the strength of his brother to fight off the enemies.

On this occasion Judah lost nothing while Simeon secured a powerful ally to guarantee victory for his own. As a proverb says: Unity is strength. Together, they went on to claim victories in its battles with the Canaanites.

It is an example to our brethren, and a witness before the world to the unity of God’s people. Our Lord says: “If a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand” (Mark 3:25). Paul says: “For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building” (1 Corinthians 3:9). Not only are we labourers, but we are labourers together with God. It is our Lord’s will that we not only be one in doctrine but also one in work (1 Corinthians 12:12-30).

There are mutual benefits in co-operation. Judah helped Simeon; Simeon in turn helped Judah. The advantage of mutual help is seen in businesses, in education, in work, and in governments. In like manner, the work of God is best done by co-operation of workers. Hence, the exhortation: “Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2).

If you are wondering which law Paul is referring to, it is the law of love. He said it earlier in the same epistle: “For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself” (Galatians 5:14). Loving a brother means helping him in his burden.

The success of mutual co-operation can be seen in Nehemiah building the wall of Jerusalem. It was a difficult task. They faced famine, poverty and enemies attack. Yet, they finished the job in fifty-two days (Nehemiah 6:15). The secret of their success: They were working together.

In Mark 2:3-5, we read of four men carrying a paralytic to Jesus. They couldn’t have done it alone. It shows how important mutual help is to ensure success. Inventors needed their support workers to succeed. Businessmen need their workers to keep the business going. Paul needed his co-workers Silas, Timothy, Epaphroditus, Aquila and others. Jesus had His twelve apostles. In church, the elders need the preachers and members help the church to grow.

No man is an island: “And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you” (1 Corinthians 12:21). The eye cannot scratch itself if it has an irritation. The head cannot go anywhere without the legs. Every member of the body has its place and is needed by every other member.

So in the church, the seemingly stronger members needed the seemingly weaker ones. Everyone has his place in the kingdom. Therefore, let us work together to ensure the growth of the kingdom: “I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase” (1 Corinthians 3:6).

Jimmy Lau

Psa 119:97  Oh how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day.

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