Our Heavenly Destiny - God's Musicians

The King and His Musicians

(1 Chronicles 25, Preaching: Pastor Stephen Magee, April 15, 2018)

[1] 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. The list of those who did the work and of their duties was: [2] Of the sons of Asaph: Zaccur, Joseph, Nethaniah, and Asharelah, sons of Asaph, under the direction of Asaph, who prophesied under the direction of the king. [3] Of Jeduthun, the sons of Jeduthun: Gedaliah, Zeri, Jeshaiah, Shimei, Hashabiah, and Mattithiah, six, under the direction of their father Jeduthun, who prophesied with the lyre in thanksgiving and praise to the LORD. [4] Of Heman, the sons of Heman: Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shebuel and Jerimoth, Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti, and Romamti-ezer, Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir, Mahazioth. [5] All these were the sons of Heman the king's seer, according to the promise of God to exalt him, for God had given Heman fourteen sons and three daughters. [6] They were all under the direction of their father in the music in the house of the LORD with cymbals, harps, and lyres for the service of the house of God. Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman were under the order of the king. [7] The number of them along with their brothers, who were trained in singing to the LORD, all who were skillful, was 288. [8] And they cast lots for their duties, small and great, teacher and pupil alike.

[9] The first lot fell for Asaph to Joseph; the second to Gedaliah, to him and his brothers and his sons, twelve; [10] the third to Zaccur, his sons and his brothers, twelve; [11] the fourth to Izri, his sons and his brothers, twelve; [12] the fifth to Nethaniah, his sons and his brothers, twelve; [13] the sixth to Bukkiah, his sons and his brothers, twelve; [14] the seventh to Jesharelah, his sons and his brothers, twelve; [15] the eighth to Jeshaiah, his sons and his brothers, twelve; [16] the ninth to Mattaniah, his sons and his brothers, twelve; [17] the tenth to Shimei, his sons and his brothers, twelve; [18] the eleventh to Azarel, his sons and his brothers, twelve; [19] the twelfth to Hashabiah, his sons and his brothers, twelve; [20] to the thirteenth, Shubael, his sons and his brothers, twelve; [21] to the fourteenth, Mattithiah, his sons and his brothers, twelve; [22] to the fifteenth, to Jeremoth, his sons and his brothers, twelve; [23] to the sixteenth, to Hananiah, his sons and his brothers, twelve; [24] to the seventeenth, to Joshbekashah, his sons and his brothers, twelve; [25] to the eighteenth, to Hanani, his sons and his brothers, twelve; [26] to the nineteenth, to Mallothi, his sons and his brothers, twelve; [27] to the twentieth, to Eliathah, his sons and his brothers, twelve; [28] to the twenty-first, to Hothir, his sons and his brothers, twelve; [29] to the twenty-second, to Giddalti, his sons and his brothers, twelve; [30] to the twenty-third, to Mahazioth, his sons and his brothers, twelve; [31] to the twenty-fourth, to Romamti-ezer, his sons and his brothers, twelve.

Learning from David's Preparation for Temple Music

The King's Passionate Priority: The king of Israel, David, was passionate about the worship of the Lord. God had given David a plan for temple life that would go beyond his days. Prior to departing he was putting everything in place so that Solomon could lead the nation well in this central function of humanity. One important part of this worship would be instrumental and choral music under the direction of three families, of Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman, who composed 11 of our 150 psalms in the Bible.

A Ministry of Word and Spirit: We are surprised to learn from our passage that these musicians with their sons and brothers “prophesied,” which tells us that the singing of songs to God was a part of the prophetic ministry. This conclusion is reinforced in one important New Testament passage, Colossians 3:16, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” When worshipers sing rightly they do so as those who are filled with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:15-21).

[Here's another interesting Scriptural truth: Singing is an element of biblical spiritual warfare. Remember how David's music was used to make a harmful spirit depart from Saul? “Saul was refreshed and was well” (1 Samuel 16:23). When Jehoshaphat went out to battle, he sent the Levitical singers out first: “And when he had taken counsel with the people, he appointed those who were to sing to the LORD and praise him in holy attire, as they went before the army, and say, 'Give thanks to the LORD, for his steadfast love endures forever'” (2 Chronicles 20:21). The Word of God was spiritually powerful in the mouths of His servants as they thanked Him in life's most difficult moments.]

In 1 Chronicles 25 the playing of instruments was a part of the beautiful ministry set up by David, for the “sons” and “brothers” of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun “prophesied with lyres, with harps, and with cymbals.” The content of their songs was also noted, for they “prophesied with the lyre in thanksgiving and praise to the LORD.” Impressive.

An Orderly and Excellent Service to God: These “trained” and “skillful” musicians had a chain of command which began with God (note the casting of lots) and His anointed King and continued through the leadership structure of their clans. Everyone knew that they were “under the order of the king” and the Great I-AM who was the king's God.

Participating in New Testament Resurrection Worship

Why would God make music to be a part of His worship? What is the purpose of music in God's plan, and is it important for our service of Him both now and in eternity? We find the answer in God and in us as His image-bearers. It may help us to go back to creation, since God says in Job 38:7 that “the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God (angels) shouted for joy.” Among human beings we read of one “Jubal” in Genesis 4:21 who “was the father of all those who play the lyre and pipe.” When the Lord wanted Israel to remember essential truths, He gave them the Song of Moses in Deuteronomy 32. Even more amazing, God also sings. Will you hear His voice? (John 20:16, “Mary”) Zephaniah 3:17 says “He will exult over you with loud singing.”

We have 150 songs in the Bible (Psalms) that we still sing today, but we are not restricted to these since we see other Scriptural songs beyond those 150. In 1 Corinthians 14:15, 26, Paul writes about the composition and singing of new hymns, “I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind also,” and a few verses later, “When you come together, each one has a hymn.” That kind of creativity and involvement was not despised, provided that all was done in a decent and orderly way, for God is not a God of confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33, 40).

Our worship now is a step forward from what David was organizing in 1 Chronicles 25. His was a picture of heavenly worship and ours a participation in glorious devotion. We have come “to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant” (Hebrews 12:22-24). Jesus, our Priest and King is preparing us for an eternal existence with perfect songs of praise and the most worthy musical endeavors (Revelation 5). Even more impressive.

The best thing that we can do to prepare for that new life is to be filled with the Spirit according to Ephesians 5:15-21. When the days feel “evil,” take a moment to be still and know that the Lord is God (Psalm 46:10). Then do what Paul says:

1. Rejoice in the presence of our heavenly family (even when we are alone),

2. Give thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of Jesus, and

3. Humbly serve one another out of reverence for Christ.

Sing a new song to the Lord. Here's one I discovered yesterday:

Be Still, and Know

How can I stop the noise?

I hold my ears in pain.

The clashing sound of hate and fear

Soon covers me again.

“Be still, be still, and know that I am God.”

How can I stop the blare

Of ignorance and pride?

I hear them marching in the street.

There is no place to hide.

“Be still, be still, and know that I am God.”

How can I stop the blast

Of anger, vengeance bold

That fills each day with clashing words

Of hatred loudly told?

“Be still, be still, and know that I am God.”

Lord, help me be Your peace

With every word I speak

That they may hear your love and know

The promises You keep.

“Be still, be still, and know that I am God.”

And quietly we'll rest.

Your majesty will show

Within the noise we hear your voice,

“Be still, be still and know.

Be still, be still, and know that I am God.”

Sharon Fernie, 2018

Sing to MARION S.M.ref, ArthurH. Messiter, 1885, (Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart)