Year 1, Week 41, Day 2 Bible Reading Observations

Year 1, Week 41, Day 2

I have a brief observation for today’s reading of 1 Chronicles 23-25.

Today’s reading continues a thread that started in the previous day’s readings with a primary focus on the Temple and the priestly functions surrounding the Temple. The material covered in 1 Chronicles 22-29 is unique to the Chronicler; the items recorded in these chapters do not have direct parallel in either Samuel or Kings. 1 Chronicles 23-25 details the assignments given the Levites in general (chapter 23), roles assigned to the Aaronic Priest in particular (chapter 24), and then the ministry structure outlined for the Levitical musicians. David continues the work of setting things up in preparation for Solomon’s reign: “When David was old and full of days, he made Solomon his son king over Israel. David assembled all the leaders of Israel and the priests and the Levites” (2 Chronicles 23:1-2).

One of the things that struck me from today’s reading was the instructional nature of Israel’s worship music: “Your statutes have been my songs in the house of my sojourning. I remember your name in the night, O LORD, and keep your law. This blessing has fallen to me, that I have kept your precepts” (Psalm 119:54-56). Music flows out of and also enters into many facets of the human heart: it inclines the human will and it incites human emotions. But music must also inform the human intellect. Music’s ability to impact all three elements of the human heart, is, in part, what makes it such a powerful tool. But powerful tools, such as music, can be deployed for building up the soul or tearing down the human soul. David’s rationale for Temple musicians is clear: “David and the chiefs of the service also set apart for the service the sons of Asaph, and of Heman, and of Jeduthun, who prophesied with lyres, with harps, and with cymbals” (1 Chronicles 25:1). The sons of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun were to utilize their instruments in such a way that the musical arrangements and the lyrics would be consistent with the nature of prophesying. In this context, the nature of this prophesying was that of declaring true things to the LORD: “and all the Levitical singers, Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun, their sons and kinsmen, arrayed in fine linen, with cymbals, harps, and lyres, stood east of the altar with 120 priests who were trumpeters; and it was the duty of the trumpeters and singers to make themselves heard in unison in praise and thanksgiving to the LORD), and when the song was raised, with trumpets and cymbals and other musical instruments, in praise to the LORD, “For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever,” the house, the house of the LORD, was filled with a cloud” (2 Chronicles 5:12-13). So, music in the context of God’s people gathered for worship is primarily to communicate God’s Word. Music is to focus on edification not entertainment.

Earlier, while David made arrangements to bring the Ark to Jerusalem, he also provided a preliminary structure of musicians to provide musical dimensions to the Tabernacle worship (see 1 Chronicles 15:16-24). But now, as the Temple construction plans are underway, David is seeking to set up structures that will insure the ongoing role of music as a vehicle for prophesying, that is, communicating God’s Word corporately. While it is common to make an attempt to justify singing sloppily by the use of the phrase, “Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth!” (Psalm 100:1); David’s structuring was to help promote skillful singing: “Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman were under the order of the king. The number of them along with their brothers, who were trained in singing to the LORD, all who were skillful, was 288” (1 Chronicles 25:6b-7). While music in the context of worship is not for the purpose of performance, but ministry; nevertheless, they were to seek excellence as they sang “to the LORD”. While this observation is not meant to disqualify any of God’s people from singing the praises of God’s truth, it suggests that our participation in singing should be done with a serious earnestness; and it suggests that those who lead in congregational singing should be well prepared and appropriately trained.

The church is blessed to have a special enablement to aid us in our singing: the Spirit of God fills us with the fullness of the presence of God. As a result, we sing: “be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:18b-20). Just as the Temple singers sang “to the LORD”, so does the church make, “melody to the Lord”. But also, just as the Temple singers declared God’s truth to those gathered through music, so the church uses music for the edification of the congregation: “addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs”. There is little doubt that music can and often does affect great emotion as music enters our ears and reaches our hearts, we should be aware of the focus that Paul has placed on our singing. Hearing others sing can and does incite emotion in our hearts, but Paul expresses a different take: music not only affects emotions but it also expresses emotion. Paul speaks of believers expressing God’s Word in a corporate gathering because their hearts were filled with affection with the LORD: "giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ”. As the Spirit awakens us to the presence of God filling us, our hearts are stirred with a deep gratitude and gladness. Such gladness and gratitude sings.

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

Pastor Joe