As One Man

The phrase "as one man" is used several times in scripture.  The first time is in Numbers 14:15 when Moses is pleading with God not to destroy Israel:  "Now if you kill this people as one man..."  We find this phrase again in Judges 6:16 when God tells Gideon: "...But I will be with you, and you shall strike the Midianites as one man.”

The term "as one man" can also signify unity, gathering together in one accord, for a common purpose.  In Judges 20:11, the nation of Israel assembled as a united army against the tribe of Benjamin. "So all the men of Israel gathered against the city, united as one man."  In 1 Samuel 11:7, Saul put fear into the hearts of the people in an effort to get them ready for war by tearing up a yoke of oxen and sending it to them, "... Then the dread of the Lord fell upon the people, and they came out as one man."

In today's verse, the people gathered together "as one man" to rebuild the altar,  offer burnt offerings, and to observe the feasts that the LORD commanded.   Nehemiah 8:1 says: "And all the people gathered as one man into the square before the Water Gate..." They assembled "as one man" to hear the word.

Jesus prayer for His disciples, and for us, is that we would be one, “…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.” (John 17:21)

So as we go forward today. Let's be a voice of unity, not division, taking Paul's advice: “endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:3)