Year 1, Week 34, Day 5 Bible Reading Observations

Year 1, Week 34, Day 5

I have a brief observation for today’s reading of 1 Chronicles 6.

Today’s reading provides genealogical details for the Levites: “The sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari” (1 Chronicles 6:1). This genealogical listing is second only to Judah in terms of length and details. The other tribes do not receive as much detail for the purpose of the Chronicler, who is not merely providing genealogical details, but who is expressing the importance of godly worship in the life of Israel. The tribe of Judah, from whom the kingly line comes, as well as the tribe of Levi, from whom the priestly line comes, play a vital role in promoting and protecting the prescribed worship of the LORD. The genealogical details of the Levites, just as with Judah, extends all the way into the period of Israel’s exile.

One of the things that struck me from today’s reading is the importance placed on music as a part of Israel’s proper worship: “Oh sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth! Sing to the LORD, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples! For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; he is to be feared above all gods. Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice” (Psalm 96:1-4,11). Not all Levites were priests, but all priests were to be Levites: “O house of Levi, bless the LORD! You who fear the LORD, bless the LORD!” (Psalm 135:20). The Levitical priests came from the line of Aaron: “Then bring near to you Aaron your brother, and his sons with him, from among the people of Israel, to serve me as priests—Aaron and Aaron's sons, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar” (Exodus 28:1). With the deaths of Nadab and Abihu (see Leviticus 10:1-3), Levitical high priests came from the line of Aaron’s son, Eleazar. The sacrificial system was central to Israel’s worship, during both the Tabernacle and Temple eras: “But Aaron and his sons made offerings on the altar of burnt offering and on the altar of incense for all the work of the Most Holy Place, and to make atonement for Israel, according to all that Moses the servant of God had commanded” (1 Chronicles 6:49). But music played an important role as well. Levites who were not priests, took on other obligations within the Tabernacle/Temple. 

A large section of genealogical attention is given to the Levites whom David put in charge of the worship music: “These are the men whom David put in charge of the service of song in the house of the LORD after the ark rested there. They ministered with song before the tabernacle of the tent of meeting until Solomon built the house of the LORD in Jerusalem, and they performed their service according to their order” (1 Chronicles 6:31-32). While much more detail will be devoted later in Chronicles to musical roles and responsibilities (see 1 Chronicles 23-26), the focus on the men appointed to be in charge of singing already shows the importance that music played in Israel’s worship. David appointed three descendants—Heman (1 Chronicles 6:33) from the line of Kohath, Asaph (1 Chronicles 6:39, from the line of Gershom, and Ethan (1 Chronicles 6:44), from the line of Merarite [Ethan is probable also known as Jeduthun]—to coordinate Israel’s worship music. All three appointed men probably formed three separate groups or guilds of musicians. When, later in Chronicles, we read of the Ark being properly brought into Jerusalem, we find these three men leading out in the music and singing: “David also commanded the chiefs of the Levites to appoint their brothers as the singers who should play loudly on musical instruments, on harps and lyres and cymbals, to raise sounds of joy. So the Levites appointed Heman the son of Joel; and of his brothers Asaph the son of Berechiah; and of the sons of Merari, their brothers, Ethan the son of Kushaiah” (1 Chronicles 15:16-17). The music selected fit the festive occasion as their singing and loud playing expressed joy.

Israel’s hymnbook came to be known as the Psalms. That is not to say that we have all the songs that they sang, but the Psalms represent the kinds of songs that Israel sang in various contexts and situations. All three men have specific Psalms that have been ascribed to them: Heman, who wrote Psalm 88; Asaph, who wrote Psalms 50, and 73-83; and Ethan, who wrote Psalm 89. The Psalms have other authors ascribed to them as well: David, Solomon, the sons of Korah (who is mentioned in 1 Chronicles 6:37), Jeduthun, and even Moses.

While the Levitical works of offering sacrifices does not continue into the New Covenant: “there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins” (Hebrew 10:26b); there is still a sacrifice of praise: “Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name” (Hebrews 13:15). Since Christ has made all believers into a corporate priesthood, we all sing Christ’s praises: “you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 2:5). Singing is to be a combination of expressing to God His worth, but also explaining that worth to others: “Sing to the LORD, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day” (Psalm 96:2)

What struck you in today’s reading? What questions were prompted from today’s reading?

Pastor Joe