Singers to Sing

1 Chronicles 15:1-16:6

Key verse 15:16

[Refer to 1 Chronicles 23:5 and 25:1-8 for further insight]

This passage shows us that music ministry is an essential part of worshipping the Lord. 

Throughout the passage the word “ark” is repeated. How many times is it repeated? What does the ark consist of? (Exodus 25:10-22; 30:6; 31:18)

** 18

** It consists of what is inside and what is above. In it were the two stone tablets of the Moses’ Ten Commandments (they also put the gold jar of manna and Aaron’s staff as Heb 9:4 says, but the main thing is the two stone tablets of Moses which are called the tablets of Testimony. Because it is so important they call the ark even the ark of the Testimony); above is located the atonement cover also known as the mercy seat where there were two cherubim; the Lord promised to meet the Israelites there and speak. Ex 29:42

It is symbolic of Jesus Christ who represents the meeting place where the impossible is made possible, that is, the meeting/fellowship between the holy God and sinful men takes place. It is a pre-figure of the church revealed in the New Testament era.

What do the following expressions indicate about the significance of the ark?

The ark of the Lord, the God of Israel

The ark of the covenant of the Lord (cf. Ex 25:13,22)

The Levites to minister, to make petition, to give thanks, and to praise the Lord [before the ark of the Lord].

** It is God’s idea, for it came from God, showing what God has in mind, that is, how he wants us to have a fellowship with him, and on what conditions. 

** The word “covenant” has the meaning of promise or contract. Simply it refers to the agreement/promise (such as a marriage vow between a husband and a wife, promising to each other that the two are going to love one another and remain faithful to each other, not committing adultery with someone outside the covenant relationship.)

** Minister – it means to serve or to attend; in other words it means to live before God worshiping him and serving him. 

Make petition – pray (talk to him, listen to him, ask him, etc.)

Give thanks – for his loving presence and provision

Praise – for who he is. 

Consider what David said in 15:2,12-13, and what the priests and the Levites did in 15:14-15. Why do you think God commanded the Israelites to carry the ark “on their shoulders” [using poles]? (Matthew 15:8-9; John 4:23)

** Most likely God commanded to do things this way [rather than carrying it on a new cart] to teach them the value of the relationship with Him, for it is when you work for it, you end up cherishing it better. God wants to keep His words inside of our hearts, so we would not become like a bunch of hypocrites. 

Notice: God’s word is above us; we should not keep the Bible aside like on a book shelf. Rather we must carry the Bible and cherish the word. And we must put it into practice. 

The Bible is a living book. It is God-breathed, so it should inspire us to be a living chariot of fire. 

[Think about how a mother who had to carry a baby for 280 days in her womb cherishes her baby ever so dearly as the baby is born.]

[Consider also that as you carry on your shoulders, you go on foot, that the word of God would be reflected in your ‘footsteps’, each and every day. After all we are called to live in the footsteps of faith of Abraham. Romans 4:12]

What do the following words indicate about the way in which music ministry in the house of the Lord is to be conducted? 

Appoint…singers to sing joyful songs, accompanied by musical

instruments

The musicians…were to sound bronze cymbals…to play the lyre and to play harps

Kenaniah…was in charge of the singing

that was his responsibility because he was skillful at it 

The singers of the choirs

All Israel brought up the ark…with shouts, with the sounding of ram’s horns and trumpets, and of cymbal, and the playing of lyres and harps

They were to play lyres and harps, Asaph was to sound the cymbals, and …the priests were to blow the trumpets regularly before the ark of the covenant of God.

** Combination of choir and orchestra, singers and the players of musical instruments working together.

** Musical instruments – all different kinds

** Someone is to be in charge

** Qualifications of the man or woman in charge

** Possibility for multiple choirs

** It is to celebrate the Lord coming to our midst that we can enjoy the fellowship with the Lord and be blessed by Him

** Each person or group in charge of different instruments, with the worship taking place on a regular basis, remembering the blessed covenant relationship the Lord gave us. 

The end

 They are called a testimony for collectively they are the testimony to God’s unchanging holiness and unchanging standing standards he requires of his creatures. 

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