Construction Workers and Singers – Say What?
Genealogies – ugghh!! Let’s be honest, when we hit a long list of unpronounceable names in the Bible, it is kind of a bummer! Consider how many times you have set out to read your Bible in a year and then you hit the book of Numbers and all those long names. I dare say that Numbers has been the graveyard of many who have attempted the “read your Bible in a year” program!
The book of Nehemiah is just fascinating to me even though it too contains a list of long names. It records how one simple man had a burden for the destroyed city of Jerusalem (destroyed by the Babylonians) and longed to rebuild it. Obviously Nehemiah would need skilled people to help rebuild the city and its great walls; carpenters, masons, plumbers, metal workers, and singers. Say what – singers? This list makes me think of the song from “Sesame Street”, “One of these things is not like the others; one of these things does not belong…” Can you pick it out? Singers and musicians played a definite role in the rebuilding of the city!
Nehemiah 7 is one of those “graveyard” chapters, filled with names 10 feet long! But look at verse 44 – it mentions that there were 148 singers from the family of Asaph that came out of the Babylonian captivity. Ok, a couple of questions: first, who is Asaph; and second, who cares that singers survived the captivity?
Asaph is mentioned in the book of 1 Chronicles 15. He was one of the appointed musicians that would provide “praise music” as David and his men recovered the Ark of the Covenant from Obed-Edom’s house. Recall the Ark had been stolen by heathens and carted all over the place. Everywhere it went while in the wrong hands, the people broke out with tumors. David and his men were heading back to Jerusalem with the Ark as these musicians, including Asaph, provided the music. David was so ecstatic to have the Ark back, he danced a jig before the LORD (2 Samuel 6:14). Talk about an expression of whole-hearted praise! The descendents of these singers would set the stage for the dedication of the walls of Jerusalem in Nehemiah’s day!
This month, as we explore whole-hearted praise, I want us choir members to always remember what a vital role singers/musicians play in preparing the congregation’s heart for worship. When we walk into the sanctuary, be aware that we are preparing hearts for corporate praise and worship. Let’s be intentional about expressing the joy of our salvation on our faces. Do we look like we are praising the King or do we look like we are getting a root canal? Sing from the overflow of your heart and a freedom of worship will break out in our midst!
Be faithful to your spot in the choir and sing with whole-hearted praise to the King of Kings. Dance a little jig in your heart to God like David did and let it show up on your face! ♫
