May the mumbling commence!
And now for some of those details that I promised! You know how I just love to wade through those details! Today was a harder day than most for me in my reading of the chronological Bible. Today, I will turn to the first eight verses of 1 Chronicles 25. Read them below:
David, together with the commanders of the army, set apart some of the sons of Asaph, Heman and Jeduthun for the ministry of prophesying, accompanied by harps, lyres and cymbals. Here is the list of the men who performed this service:
From the sons of Asaph: Zaccur, Joseph, Nethaniah and Asarelah. The sons of Asaph were under the supervision of Asaph, who prophesied under the king's supervision.
As for Jeduthun, from his sons: Gedaliah, Zeri, Jeshaiah, Shimei, Hashabiah and Mattithiah, six in all, under the supervision of their father Jeduthun, who prophesied, using the harp in thanking and praising the Lord.
As for Heman, from his sons: Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shubael and Jerimoth; Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti and Romamti-Ezer; Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir and Mahazioth. All these were sons of Heman the king's seer. They were given him through the promises of God to exalt him. God gave Heman fourteen sons and three daughters.
All these men were under the supervision of their fathers for the music of the temple of the Lord, with cymbals, lyres and harps, for the ministry at the house of God. Asaph, Jeduthun and Heman were under the supervision of the king. Along with their relatives – all of them trained and skilled in music for the Lord – they numbered 288. Young and old alike, teacher as well as student, cast lots for their duties.
Here we have two things combined that many people would not anticipate. Prophesying and music are interwoven together in these verses. How about that! Think about these words next time you choose music for a worship service or the next time you sing or play an instrument during worship. The Spirit of the Lord is enabling you to prophesy.
The Chronicler lists these instruments: harps, lyres, and cymbals. These instruments, as well as the human voice, are lifted up in song to thank and praise and exalt God. These instruments help us to recall the promises of God. Herein lies a much more complex concept of prophesy.
Prophesy is much more than prediction of future events. To prophesy is also to proclaim the praises of God. To prophesy is also to thank the Lord. To prophesy is also to remember what the Lord has done for us in the past. To prophesy is also to remember the promises of God that have been fulfilled and those that will be. To prophesy is to look at the present day world through the lens of God’s steadfast love and faithfulness.
Let us sing and make music. Let us praise the Lord in joyful song. When we do, we are prophesying to all who will hear – the Lord God Almighty is Lord of all.
Enough mumbling for now…
Peace Out
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