Class 5 from this series was used in GCT Episode 338.
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Our second speaker this morning
is Brother Roger Lewis of the
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Our second speaker this morning
is Brother Roger Lewis of the
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Christchurch Ecclesia in New
Zealand.
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The theme for Brother Lewis’s
classes this week is The House
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of Asaph Family of Faith,
Masters of Music, and today’s
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class is entitled The Zeal of
the House of Asaph, Brother
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Lewis.
Well, thank you, Brother
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Chairman, and my three brothers
and sisters in the Lord Jesus
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Christ this morning.
Then we come to the next story
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or the next stage of the House
of Asaph.
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As we trace them through the
divine record.
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You’ll remember that in our
previous session, we found that
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that we we took the House of
Asaph from the time that David
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had first appointed them through
to the time of their singing of
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praise at the consecration of
the Temple.
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And that when the House of Asaph
LED that singing of praise in
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the days of Solomon, that this
was about 40 years from the time
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that David had first selected
Asaph that he might be in charge
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of the music of praise.
So we’ve gone from about BC 1000
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down to BC 960 at the time of
the dedication of the Temple.
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And then from the time of
Solomon we moved to the crisis
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of Jehoshaphat, and we found
that that’s about another 100
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years later on in time.
We’ve gone from BC 960 down to
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BC 860, and therefore the sons
of Asaph who sang that song at
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the front of the choir in the
days of Jehoshaphat, 100 years
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after the time of Solomon, must
be about two or three
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generations later on in that
family.
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They’re not the same people.
They’re not the same singers.
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This would be the grandsons of
those who would have sung at the
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time of the celebrations in the
temple.
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Now after the death of
Jehoshaphat, disaster struck the
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Kingdom of Judah for almost 20
years.
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Because in those 20 years where
we we find from the divine
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record that Etheliah, who was of
course Jehabel’s daughter, was
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the power behind the throne,
both in the reigns of her
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husband, who was Jehoram, and
also in the reign of her son,
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who was a Hesiah.
And finally, after the death of
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both her husband and her son,
she took the Kingdom for herself
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and she ruled Judah for a period
of six years.
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And for one brief moment of
time, brothers and sisters, the
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House of Jezebel was in control
of both the northern Kingdom,
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heaven and the southern Kingdom.
The House of Jezebel ruled all
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Israel.
And her taste most certainly did
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not run to the songs of the
House of Asaph.
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But during that time, the time
of Atheliah’s reign, Jehoiada
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the priest and his faithful wife
Jehoshabeth were planning a
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spiritual revival.
They wanted to reinstate the
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Davidic line, which had all but
been wiped out by Atheliah.
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And after six years of
preparation, they acted.
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And we’re told of this in the
Second of Chronicles chapter 23.
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So now we’ve come to BC 835.
So this is about 25 years now
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after the crisis in the life of
Jehoshaphat.
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We’re now 25 years further on,
probably another generation on
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in the family of the House of
Asaph.
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And in the Second of Chronicles
chapter 23, we’re told of the
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arrangements that Jehoiada made
that he might reinstitute the
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the Davidic line.
We’re told there in the third
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verse it says that all the
congregation made a covenant
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with the king in the House of
God.
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And he said unto them, Behold,
the King’s son shall reign, as
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Yahweh has said of the sons of
David.
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And, and I’ve no doubt by the
way, that that as as Jehovah
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said those words in verse 3,
behold, the King’s son shall
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reign, that he brought out from
behind him this little boy, the
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little boy Joash.
And there must have been great
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weeping and lamentation on that
day as the nation realized that
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one child of the line of David
had been miraculously preserved
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in the Providence of God.
And they made covenant with
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Jehoiada on that day that truly
they would enthrone this boy to
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be king, that the Davidic line
might be preserved.
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So the arrangements that
Jehoiada made were verse six,
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that none were to come into the
House of God save the priests,
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and they that minister and the
Levites, verse seven were to
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compass the king round about
every man with his weapon in his
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hand.
And we’re told in the eighth
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verse that the Levites and all
Judah did according to all
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things, that Jehoiada, the
priesthood commanded and took
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every man, his men that would
come in on the Sabbath with them
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that were to go out on the
Sabbath for Jehoiada the priest
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dismissed, not the courses.
So by the way, you’ll see what
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it says there in verse eight,
that the courses, the courses of
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the priests, the 24 courses of
the priests and the courses of
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the singers were changed over
each Sabbath day.
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So one course finished and left
and a new course arrived and the
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courses crossed over on the
Sabbath each week.
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Well, on this occasion Jehoiada
cancelled all leave.
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No one was allowed to leave on
this occasion, including the
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singers.
And verse 10 says he set all the
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people, every man having his
weapon in his hand, from his
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from the right side of the
temple to the left side of the
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temple along by the altar, and
the temple by the king
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roundabout.
And they brought out the King’s
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son and put upon him the crown
and gave him the testimony,
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which I’m sure was a scroll of
the law, and made him king.
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And Jehoiad and his sons
anointed him, and said, God save
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the king.
Now when Ephemiah heard the
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noise of the people running and
praising the king, she came to
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the people into the House of the
Lord.
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And she looked.
And behold, the king stood at
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his pillar at the entering inn.
And the Princess and the
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trumpeters by the king, and all
the people of the land bejoiced
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and sounded with trumpets.
Also the singers with
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instruments of music and such as
taught to sing praise.
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So here on this occasion of the
coronation of the boy king, the
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singers were there and also the
priests on trumpets, says the
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13th verse.
And I think that the presence of
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the singers here turn this
matter of the royal coronation
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into an act of worship before
Almighty God.
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And it wasn’t just any singers.
Do you notice that it wasn’t
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just that the singers were
present because verse 13 says
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that specifically those who sang
on that occasion were the were
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those who were singers with
instruments of music and such as
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taught to sing praise or as
rather hymns says, such as led
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the offering of praise.
Now these were the elite among
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the singers.
If you come back to the first of
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Chronicles, chapter 25, I
believe that this is the group
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that I referred to on this
occasion because who Jehoiada
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really assembled to sing on that
occasion were the leaders of all
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the singers.
And in chapter 25 of the first
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of Chronicles, we’re we’re told
of these in the seventh verse it
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says there.
So the number of them with their
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brethren that were instructed in
the songs of Yahweh, even all
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that were coming was 204 score
and eight.
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So these particular ones, the
288 members of the first of
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Chronicles 25, verse 7, they
were the specially skilled
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singers who led all the others.
Remember how we said that on an
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early occasion there was
actually 4000 who sang in the
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choirs?
But these 288 members of the
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first of Chronicles 25 and verse
7, they were the instructed
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ones.
They were the leaders of all the
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singers, and they were broken up
into courses.
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And we’re told that the courses
from verse 8 to 31, well, there
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was 24 courses, and the first of
all those courses says the ninth
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verse.
Now the first lot came forth for
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Asaph to Joseph.
And so the very first of all the
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courses of the elite singers
were none other than the House
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of Asaph.
So coming back to the the Second
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of Chronicles now and Chapter
23, when we’re told that
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Jehoiada assembled those singers
such as taught to sing praise
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who he gathered together on that
occasion were the leaders
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themselves and amongst those we
believe was the House of Asaph.
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Why did Jehoiada ask for these
to be present on this day?
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And I think is it is brothers
and sisters, because he saw in
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this event the coronation of a
man of David to be a true
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milestone in the spiritual
revival of the nation.
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And he wanted the very best.
He wanted the highest standard
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from the beginning of this boy’s
reign that it might be a
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benchmark for all to follow.
So he said on this day we’ll get
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the very best of all the singers
that they might sing on the
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occasion of the coronation of
this king.
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And the House of Asaph were
there and they sang.
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And we’re told in the 18th verse
that as a result of that,
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Jehoiada established that
because it says verse 18,
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Jehoiada appointed the officers
of the House of of Yahweh by the
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hand of the priests, the
Levites, whom David had
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distributed in the House of
Yahweh, to offer the burnt
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offerings of Yahweh as it is
written in the law of Moses,
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with rejoicing and singing, as
it was ordained by David.
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So he ordained priests to offer
after the law of Moses, and he
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ordained singers to praise after
the ordinance of David.
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In fact, I think that there was
a concern here that there be no
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unauthorized change from these
standards that had been set on
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an early occasion by David
himself.
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Now, isn’t this remarkable,
brothers and sisters, that here
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again, at the moment of the
coronation of Joas, what we
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really have organized by
Jehoiada is a spiritual revival
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in the nation.
And the moment there’s a
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spiritual revival in the nation,
who’s there quick as a flesh.
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But the House of Asaph, whenever
there was a moment of spiritual
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revival in Judah, you’ll always
find the House of Asaph there,
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ready to sing the songs of
praise and to lift the nation
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back to spiritual heights.
Marvellous family, this one.
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Now this is 25 years after the
crisis of Jehoshaphat in the
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Second of Chronicles chapter 20.
Well the the reign of of the
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young king began well, but after
Jehoiada was dead it
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deteriorated.
And if you come to the Second of
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Chronicles chapter 24 and verses
17 to 19, we find that in the
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latter part of Joash’s reign
that everything began to
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deteriorate spiritually.
We’re told there it says now
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after the death of Jehoiada came
the Princess of Judah and made
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obeisance to the king.
Then the king hearkened unto
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them, and they left the House of
Yahweh, Elohim of their fathers,
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and served Groves and idols, and
wrath came upon Judah and
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Jerusalem for this their
trespass.
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Yet He He sent prophets to them
to bring them again unto Yahweh,
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and they testified against them,
but they would not hear.
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And so the nation again
deteriorated into a period of
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spiritual apostasy.
In fact, the next king, Amaziah,
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come and have a look at him in
the Second of Chronicles chapter
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25 and verse 14.
Just imagine what it would be
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like to be a member of the House
of Asaph during this time.
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In the Second of Chronicles 25
and verse 14 it says this came
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to pass after that Amaziah was
come from the slaughter of the
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Edomites, that he brought the
gods of the children of Seir and
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set them up to be his gods.
Isn’t it a remarkable thing how
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perverse the flesh is?
By the way, brothers and
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sisters, you see, Amazon has
just successfully defeated the
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Edomites, so therefore Yahweh,
the God of Israel, is greater
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than the gods of Edom.
But he promptly brought home the
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gods of Edom, and set them up to
be his gods and worship them.
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Isn’t the flesh strange,
brothers and sisters?
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And verse 15 says that the anger
of Yahweh was kindled against
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Amaziah.
And he sent unto him a prophet,
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which said unto him, Why hast
thou sought after the gods of
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the people, which could not
deliver their own people out of
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thine hand?
And it came to pass, as he
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talked with him, that the king
said unto him, Art thou made of
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the King’s counsel for bear?
Why shouldst thou be smitten?
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Now, do you know that in the
Authorized Version, the 16th
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verse is probably a little
little lacking in punch?
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Because this is what Amazon
really said, and I’m reading
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from the Revised Standard
Version.
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It came to pass, as he talked
with him, that the King said
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00:14:28,120 –> 00:14:34,720
unto him, Have we made you a
royal councillor?
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00:14:36,320 –> 00:14:41,320
Stop.
Why should you be put to death?
215
00:14:43,320 –> 00:14:47,200
So a man that stood up to
proclaim the truth of God was
216
00:14:47,200 –> 00:14:50,640
threatened with immediate death
by this particular king.
217
00:14:50,640 –> 00:14:54,040
How would you like to be one of
the singers trying to sing the
218
00:14:54,040 –> 00:14:57,920
songs of praise in the days of
this man who worshipped the gods
219
00:14:57,920 –> 00:15:01,880
of Eden?
If you come to the time of Ahaz,
220
00:15:02,000 –> 00:15:05,440
just a short while later in the
Second of Chronicles chapter 28,
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00:15:05,640 –> 00:15:08,480
we’re told this in the 22nd
verse.
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00:15:09,760 –> 00:15:14,880
These were not good times in the
history of Judah, and we’re told
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00:15:15,000 –> 00:15:18,440
in the Second of Chronicles
chapter 28 and verse 22 that in
224
00:15:18,440 –> 00:15:23,840
the time of his distress did he
trespass yet more against
225
00:15:23,840 –> 00:15:29,240
Yahweh.
This is that king Ahaz, for he
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00:15:29,240 –> 00:15:32,440
sacrificed unto the gods of
Damascus, which smote him.
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00:15:33,160 –> 00:15:36,480
And he said, Because the gods of
the kings of Assyria help them,
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00:15:37,120 –> 00:15:40,680
therefore will I sacrifice to
them, that they may help me,
229
00:15:41,040 –> 00:15:44,360
that they were the ruin of him
and of all Israel.
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00:15:45,160 –> 00:15:47,720
And they has gathered together
the vessels of the House of God,
231
00:15:48,240 –> 00:15:50,840
and cut in pieces the vessels of
the House of God, and shut up
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00:15:50,840 –> 00:15:53,000
the doors of the House of
Yahweh.
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00:15:53,640 –> 00:15:57,320
And he made them altars in every
corner of Jerusalem, and in
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00:15:57,320 –> 00:16:00,200
every several city of Judah.
He made high places to burn
235
00:16:00,200 –> 00:16:04,360
incense unto other gods, and
provoked to anger the Lord God
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00:16:04,360 –> 00:16:06,080
of his fathers.
Do you know, brothers and
237
00:16:06,080 –> 00:16:13,160
sisters, that between the time
of Joash and Hezekiah, who will
238
00:16:13,160 –> 00:16:16,120
now come upon the throne after
the death of Ahaz, his father,
239
00:16:16,120 –> 00:16:21,720
between Joash and Hezekiah the
words sing.
240
00:16:23,040 –> 00:16:29,520
Singers and singing are never
once found.
241
00:16:31,680 –> 00:16:35,600
It’s as if the whole story of
songs of praise disappear out of
242
00:16:35,600 –> 00:16:37,920
the record.
And So what did the House of
243
00:16:37,920 –> 00:16:41,920
Asaph do in this era of
spiritual darkness?
244
00:16:45,000 –> 00:16:46,880
Well, I know what they did,
brothers and sisters.
245
00:16:48,640 –> 00:16:53,400
They preserved their faith and
they went on the ground.
246
00:16:55,920 –> 00:16:59,920
You see, there would be no daily
choir practices with the doors
247
00:16:59,920 –> 00:17:02,760
of the temple nailed up, would
there?
248
00:17:04,839 –> 00:17:07,560
You couldn’t get into the temple
in the days of Ahaz.
249
00:17:07,680 –> 00:17:13,480
He’d lock them out.
But in their private homes, the
250
00:17:13,480 –> 00:17:17,200
House of Asaph upheld their
family standards.
251
00:17:18,240 –> 00:17:23,520
And in their private homes they
continued to ascend into the
252
00:17:23,520 –> 00:17:27,040
divine presence.
Remarkable story, this
253
00:17:27,040 –> 00:17:30,480
particular family, so much so
that when Hezekiah comes to the
254
00:17:30,480 –> 00:17:33,840
throne in the second of
Chronicles chapter 29, we read
255
00:17:33,840 –> 00:17:37,920
these words in the third verse.
It says, It says of him, Well,
256
00:17:38,200 –> 00:17:42,600
he in the first year of his
reign, in the first month opened
257
00:17:42,600 –> 00:17:46,120
the doors of the House of
Yahweh, and repaired them.
258
00:17:47,120 –> 00:17:49,480
And he brought on the priests
and Levites, and gathered them
259
00:17:49,480 –> 00:17:53,480
together under the East St., and
said unto them, Hear me, ye
260
00:17:53,480 –> 00:17:58,360
Levites, sanctify yourselves,
and sanctify the House of
261
00:17:58,360 –> 00:18:02,320
Yahweh, God of your Father’s,
and carry forth the filthiness
262
00:18:02,600 –> 00:18:04,960
out of this place.
Verse 11.
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00:18:05,160 –> 00:18:10,040
My sons, be not now negligent,
for Yahweh have chosen you to
264
00:18:10,040 –> 00:18:13,920
stand before Him, to serve Him,
that you should minister unto
265
00:18:13,920 –> 00:18:17,280
Him and burn the incense.
So the appeal that Hezekiah
266
00:18:17,280 –> 00:18:20,640
makes at the time of this
beginning of his reign, this
267
00:18:20,760 –> 00:18:23,920
this period of spiritual
revival, by the way, is not to
268
00:18:23,920 –> 00:18:26,240
the priests, you’ll notice, but
to the Levites.
269
00:18:27,000 –> 00:18:30,760
And he asked the Levites to help
him, that they might revive the
270
00:18:30,760 –> 00:18:33,800
nation again.
Now look what verse 12 says, who
271
00:18:33,800 –> 00:18:38,320
responded?
Then the Levites arose Mahath
272
00:18:38,320 –> 00:18:41,200
the son of Emissiah, and Joel
the son of Ezoriah, of the sons
273
00:18:41,200 –> 00:18:45,160
of the caliphates and of the
sons of Marahi, kissed, the son
274
00:18:45,160 –> 00:18:48,920
of Abdi and Ezzoriah, the son of
Jehalil and of the Gershonites,
275
00:18:49,000 –> 00:18:53,520
Joah, the son of Zimmer and Eden
the son of Joah, and of the sons
276
00:18:53,520 –> 00:18:59,920
of Eliza than Shimrai and Jahil,
and of the sons of Asaph.
277
00:19:01,480 –> 00:19:08,320
Verse 13.
Zechariah and Matanar So here
278
00:19:08,320 –> 00:19:13,880
now as the Levites responded to
the call of Hezekiah that they
279
00:19:13,880 –> 00:19:18,720
might renew the nation, Why The
sons of Asaph are there, and
280
00:19:18,720 –> 00:19:21,600
they’re amongst the Levites who
respond at the time that
281
00:19:21,720 –> 00:19:25,880
Hezekiah asks them to respond.
And of course, you know what
282
00:19:25,880 –> 00:19:28,320
they did?
Because verse 16 says the
283
00:19:28,320 –> 00:19:30,920
priests went into the inner part
of the House of Yahweh to
284
00:19:30,920 –> 00:19:32,880
cleanse it.
And they brought out all the
285
00:19:32,880 –> 00:19:35,760
uncleanness that they found in
the temple of Yahweh into the
286
00:19:35,760 –> 00:19:39,520
court of the House of Yahweh.
And the Levites took it to carry
287
00:19:39,520 –> 00:19:41,560
it out abroad under the brook
key.
288
00:19:41,560 –> 00:19:43,360
John.
Now you realize what we’re being
289
00:19:43,360 –> 00:19:47,280
told in the 16th verse, brothers
and sisters, you see these, This
290
00:19:47,280 –> 00:19:51,080
is the House of Asaph.
These are the singers.
291
00:19:51,960 –> 00:19:54,960
They’ve got the delicate fingers
of musicians.
292
00:19:55,120 –> 00:19:57,640
These are they who pluck the
sultry.
293
00:19:58,920 –> 00:20:02,720
And yet here they are, with cuts
and scratches, broken nails and
294
00:20:02,720 –> 00:20:06,240
bruised thumbs, lugging the
rubble of apostasy out of the
295
00:20:06,240 –> 00:20:07,600
temple.
Do you think that would stop the
296
00:20:07,600 –> 00:20:10,440
House of Asaph?
Count us in, they say to
297
00:20:10,440 –> 00:20:13,720
Hezekiah.
Or there was no hesitation, was
298
00:20:13,720 –> 00:20:17,800
there as far as this family was
concerned to be involved in this
299
00:20:17,800 –> 00:20:21,600
matter of spiritual revival.
They were there in the thick of
300
00:20:21,600 –> 00:20:24,240
it.
It only took 16 days because the
301
00:20:24,240 –> 00:20:28,400
17th verse says that they began
on the first day of the month.
302
00:20:28,600 –> 00:20:32,640
And at the end of the verse it
says in the 16th day of that
303
00:20:32,640 –> 00:20:38,200
first month they made an end.
And it was, says verse 20, on
304
00:20:38,200 –> 00:20:43,320
the very next morning that
Hezekiah the king rose early and
305
00:20:43,320 –> 00:20:45,920
gathered the rulers of the city
and went up to the House of
306
00:20:45,920 –> 00:20:47,960
Yahweh.
And they brought, and they
307
00:20:47,960 –> 00:20:51,360
brought offerings, that they
might make a sacrifice of
308
00:20:51,360 –> 00:20:55,760
atonement for the nation, and
not for Judah only, because
309
00:20:56,200 –> 00:21:01,560
verse 24 tells us that the
priests killed them, and they
310
00:21:01,560 –> 00:21:04,880
made reconciliation with their
blood upon the altar to make an
311
00:21:04,880 –> 00:21:10,600
atonement for all Israel.
For the king commanded that the
312
00:21:10,600 –> 00:21:15,080
sin offering should be made for
all Israel.
313
00:21:15,080 –> 00:21:18,560
You see, Heather Car intended
not just to revive Judah,
314
00:21:18,560 –> 00:21:21,160
brothers and sisters, He wanted
to bring the whole nation back
315
00:21:21,280 –> 00:21:23,880
to the things of the worship of
the Father.
316
00:21:23,960 –> 00:21:27,360
He had great ambitions, did this
king for the greatest good of
317
00:21:27,360 –> 00:21:29,520
the nation.
And so now there is this
318
00:21:29,640 –> 00:21:34,360
sacrifice of atonement made.
And having made atonement, we’re
319
00:21:34,360 –> 00:21:39,040
now told of the celebrations
that were set forth in the House
320
00:21:39,040 –> 00:21:43,360
of God.
And verse 25 to verse 29 tells
321
00:21:43,360 –> 00:21:48,840
us what happened.
He set the Levites in the House
322
00:21:48,840 –> 00:21:54,200
of Yahweh with symbols, with
psalteries, and with harps,
323
00:21:55,000 –> 00:21:59,320
according to the commandment of
David and of Gad the King’s
324
00:21:59,320 –> 00:22:03,600
seer, and Nathan the prophet.
For so was the commandment of
325
00:22:03,600 –> 00:22:07,080
Yahweh by his prophets.
And the Levites stood with the
326
00:22:07,080 –> 00:22:09,760
instruments of David, and the
priests with the trumpets.
327
00:22:10,400 –> 00:22:13,160
And Hezekiah commanded to offer
the burnt offering upon the
328
00:22:13,160 –> 00:22:14,800
altar.
And when the burnt offering
329
00:22:14,800 –> 00:22:18,920
began, the song of Yahweh began
also with the trumpets and with
330
00:22:18,920 –> 00:22:21,720
the instruments ordained by
David, king of Israel.
331
00:22:22,400 –> 00:22:25,280
And all the congregation
worshipped, and the singers sang
332
00:22:25,480 –> 00:22:29,120
and the trumpeters sounded.
And all this continued until the
333
00:22:29,120 –> 00:22:32,240
burnt offering was finished.
And when they had made an end of
334
00:22:32,240 –> 00:22:35,880
offering, the king and all that
were present with them bowed
335
00:22:35,880 –> 00:22:40,680
themselves and worshipped.
Now notice the order, brothers
336
00:22:40,680 –> 00:22:43,640
and sisters, notice the
tremendous spirit of this order.
337
00:22:43,640 –> 00:22:47,800
You see, what we’re told here is
first there is the offering of
338
00:22:47,800 –> 00:22:55,680
atonement verses 21 to 24, and
then the song of the Lord verses
339
00:22:55,680 –> 00:22:58,640
25 to 28.
And isn’t there a marvellous
340
00:22:58,640 –> 00:23:02,880
lesson in that order of events
that took place on this day?
341
00:23:02,880 –> 00:23:08,240
Because you see, only a person
who knows the blessing of
342
00:23:08,240 –> 00:23:15,800
forgiveness can truly sing from
the heart God’s praise in
343
00:23:15,800 –> 00:23:20,800
fullness.
So forgiveness first, and then
344
00:23:20,800 –> 00:23:24,360
the song of praise that came
from grateful hearts
345
00:23:24,360 –> 00:23:26,760
subsequently.
You know, I think that there are
346
00:23:26,760 –> 00:23:31,240
two big questions about the
songs that were sung this day by
347
00:23:31,240 –> 00:23:36,000
the House of Asaph. 2 obvious
questions that I think emerged
348
00:23:36,000 –> 00:23:40,600
from this record.
Now the first question is how
349
00:23:40,600 –> 00:23:47,720
long did they sing for?
Well, it seems, says verse 27,
350
00:23:48,440 –> 00:23:53,840
that the singers began when the
burnt offering began to be
351
00:23:53,840 –> 00:23:58,280
offered.
And verse 28 says that they
352
00:23:58,280 –> 00:24:02,640
continued until the burnt
offering was consumed.
353
00:24:06,600 –> 00:24:11,520
Now normally, at the very least,
in such a burnt offering as
354
00:24:11,520 –> 00:24:16,320
would represent the nation,
there would be as a minimum the
355
00:24:16,320 –> 00:24:19,280
offering of a Bullock.
According to Leviticus chapter
356
00:24:19,280 –> 00:24:27,160
1.
How long does it take to burn a
357
00:24:27,160 –> 00:24:30,960
Bullock to ashes?
Any idea?
358
00:24:33,240 –> 00:24:39,480
30 minutes, An hour?
Several hours to reduce the
359
00:24:39,480 –> 00:24:44,360
whole animal to ashes, so that
the smoke of dedication might
360
00:24:44,360 –> 00:24:48,560
ascend to the father.
Well, during that time, says the
361
00:24:48,560 –> 00:24:55,080
second of Chronicles 29, these
singers sang their song with all
362
00:24:55,080 –> 00:25:01,120
their words from memory.
How did they do that?
363
00:25:04,280 –> 00:25:08,560
And as the burnt offering was
offered, this family sang their
364
00:25:08,560 –> 00:25:11,440
song because that was their
burnt offering to the Father.
365
00:25:13,320 –> 00:25:17,080
And here’s the second question.
Now you see what we’re told
366
00:25:17,080 –> 00:25:20,440
verse 17.
It only took 16 days to cleanse
367
00:25:20,440 –> 00:25:23,720
the temple.
The very next day, Hezekiah had
368
00:25:23,720 –> 00:25:27,000
these offerings organized and
had these singers ready in the
369
00:25:27,000 –> 00:25:28,800
temple of God to sing.
In fact, if you come to the very
370
00:25:28,800 –> 00:25:33,560
last verse of the chapter, we’re
told in verse 36 of the Second
371
00:25:33,560 –> 00:25:36,600
of Chronicles 30.
And Hezekiah rejoiced, and all
372
00:25:36,600 –> 00:25:40,160
the people that God that
prepared the people for the
373
00:25:40,160 –> 00:25:45,080
thing was done suddenly.
Now just stop and think about
374
00:25:45,080 –> 00:25:48,600
this.
In one single fortnight,
375
00:25:48,600 –> 00:25:52,440
brothers and sisters, these
singers were asked to sing by
376
00:25:52,440 –> 00:25:55,440
Hezekiah and to be there on that
day when the temple was
377
00:25:55,440 –> 00:25:58,000
cleansed.
And they stood up and they sung,
378
00:25:58,120 –> 00:26:00,520
and they played their
instruments perfectly.
379
00:26:00,680 –> 00:26:05,320
The moment Hezekiah asked them
How did they do that after two
380
00:26:05,320 –> 00:26:13,880
weeks, given that there had been
absolute apostasy prior to this,
381
00:26:13,960 –> 00:26:20,440
in the days of Ahaz and earlier.
And yet when Hezekiah said I
382
00:26:20,440 –> 00:26:24,560
want you there to sing on that
day, they were there just like
383
00:26:24,560 –> 00:26:27,720
that.
So how did they do it?
384
00:26:30,000 –> 00:26:34,640
And the answer can only be,
brothers and sisters, that even
385
00:26:34,640 –> 00:26:40,880
in those times of apostasy, this
family had practiced their songs
386
00:26:42,080 –> 00:26:46,520
and practiced their instruments.
They were barred from the
387
00:26:46,520 –> 00:26:49,640
temple, but they trained in
secret.
388
00:26:51,320 –> 00:26:55,200
They were determined never to
lose their faith or to forfeit
389
00:26:55,200 –> 00:26:59,320
their responsibilities to the
nation, so that whenever they
390
00:26:59,320 –> 00:27:01,480
were needed, they were
immediately ready.
391
00:27:01,680 –> 00:27:05,360
Ready to sing without floor,
ready to sing without mistake,
392
00:27:05,520 –> 00:27:07,800
ready to sing without
hesitation.
393
00:27:07,920 –> 00:27:10,600
You know what’s unutterably sad,
I think about the story,
394
00:27:10,600 –> 00:27:13,800
brothers and sisters, is that
some of this family of the House
395
00:27:13,800 –> 00:27:19,640
of Asaph may have practiced all
their life and never once had
396
00:27:19,640 –> 00:27:22,440
the chance to sing before the
ark of God.
397
00:27:26,200 –> 00:27:34,600
Never once, but they practiced
father to son, son to grandson,
398
00:27:36,600 –> 00:27:41,160
so that when the day might come
that a good king would arise,
399
00:27:42,920 –> 00:27:47,400
this family would always be
there, ready to sing their
400
00:27:47,400 –> 00:27:52,040
songs.
And what this family believed
401
00:27:52,040 –> 00:27:57,840
was that even their daily
practice was in itself an
402
00:27:57,840 –> 00:27:59,520
offering of praise to the
Father.
403
00:28:01,560 –> 00:28:05,440
All that we might learn, the
spirit brothers and sisters of
404
00:28:05,440 –> 00:28:08,760
this particular family.
Now this episode in the Second
405
00:28:08,760 –> 00:28:14,920
of Chronicles chapter 29 is BC
715.
406
00:28:16,480 –> 00:28:24,000
So that’s 120 years after the
coronation of Joash in the
407
00:28:24,000 –> 00:28:31,160
Second of Chronicles Chapter 23.
This is 120 years after the
408
00:28:31,160 –> 00:28:35,760
coronation of Joash in the
Second of Chronicles chapter 23.
409
00:28:35,760 –> 00:28:40,120
So those who are singing of the
House of Asaph on the occasion
410
00:28:40,240 –> 00:28:45,160
of this celebration of Hezekiah
would be the great grandsons of
411
00:28:45,160 –> 00:28:47,600
those who stood up when Jehoiada
asked them.
412
00:28:47,800 –> 00:28:51,840
Wonderful family.
This is 4 generations later in
413
00:28:51,840 –> 00:28:54,200
the same family.
Have they lost any of their
414
00:28:54,200 –> 00:28:57,160
spirit?
No, I think not.
415
00:28:57,400 –> 00:28:59,880
You see, the great lesson that
we’re going to look at today,
416
00:28:59,880 –> 00:29:03,200
brothers and sisters, in terms
of, of the benchmark standard of
417
00:29:03,200 –> 00:29:05,960
the, of this house is this,
remember that we’ve, we’ve
418
00:29:05,960 –> 00:29:08,360
already looked at several of
these as we’ve come down through
419
00:29:08,360 –> 00:29:10,280
the list.
We’ve looked at the matter of
420
00:29:10,280 –> 00:29:14,360
the supremacy of God, their
solemnity of worship, their
421
00:29:14,360 –> 00:29:17,720
preeminence of principle.
Well, this morning we want to
422
00:29:17,720 –> 00:29:22,240
dwell for a few moments on the
principle of the excellence of
423
00:29:22,240 –> 00:29:27,000
endeavour that this family stood
for, the principle of the
424
00:29:27,080 –> 00:29:32,760
excellence of endeavour in all
that they did and in all their
425
00:29:32,760 –> 00:29:34,640
singing.
Now, I’d like you to come back
426
00:29:34,640 –> 00:29:38,280
to the first of Chronicles,
Chapter 25, because the
427
00:29:38,280 –> 00:29:42,920
benchmark of how this family
practised was really set there
428
00:29:43,160 –> 00:29:44,880
at the time of their
appointment.
429
00:29:45,240 –> 00:29:53,600
This is what we’re told.
In the first of Chronicles
430
00:29:53,600 –> 00:29:56,920
chapter 25.
Now here’s the the story now in
431
00:29:56,920 –> 00:30:01,200
a little more detail of exactly
what did happen concerning the
432
00:30:01,200 –> 00:30:06,120
practicing of this family.
It says in verse 1 David and the
433
00:30:06,120 –> 00:30:10,000
captains of the hosts separated
to the service of the sons of
434
00:30:10,000 –> 00:30:15,960
Asaph of Heman and of Judithan,
who should prophecy with harps
435
00:30:15,960 –> 00:30:19,920
and psalteries and with symbols.
And the number of the workmen
436
00:30:19,920 –> 00:30:23,720
according to their service was.
And now it’s going to outline
437
00:30:23,720 –> 00:30:27,040
for us the details of the 24
courses.
438
00:30:27,320 –> 00:30:31,600
And we’re told in verse 2 that
there were four courses for the
439
00:30:31,600 –> 00:30:36,240
House of ASA.
We’re told in verse three that
440
00:30:36,240 –> 00:30:39,840
there were six courses of the
House of Jedothan.
441
00:30:40,480 –> 00:30:45,960
And we’re told in verses four
and five that there were 14
442
00:30:45,960 –> 00:30:51,480
courses of the House of Heman.
So here’s the make up then of
443
00:30:51,480 –> 00:30:57,040
the 24 courses as they’re drawn
from these different families. 4
444
00:30:57,040 –> 00:31:02,960
from Asaph, verse 26 from
Juduth, and verse 3 and 14 from
445
00:31:02,960 –> 00:31:06,400
Haman in verses four and five.
And I believe that what
446
00:31:06,400 –> 00:31:09,080
happened, you see, is that each
family practiced together,
447
00:31:09,080 –> 00:31:14,360
firstly in their family groups.
So those of Asaph would practice
448
00:31:14,360 –> 00:31:17,640
together under the tutelage and
under the control of their
449
00:31:17,640 –> 00:31:23,160
father, and those of of Jedusan
would would come together under
450
00:31:23,160 –> 00:31:27,920
the hands of Jedusan, their
father, and those of the House
451
00:31:27,920 –> 00:31:31,520
of Heman would practice together
in the first instance within the
452
00:31:31,520 –> 00:31:36,280
House of Heman.
Now, you know, brothers and
453
00:31:36,280 –> 00:31:39,920
sisters, if you came to the
House of Lewis and you walked
454
00:31:39,920 –> 00:31:42,920
into my house, you would
probably hear the following on
455
00:31:42,920 –> 00:31:47,040
most days of the week in one
room.
456
00:31:47,040 –> 00:31:50,080
You would probably hear
Rachmaninoff’s Second Piano
457
00:31:50,080 –> 00:31:55,360
Concerto being played by CD,
preferably by ever Guinea Kissen
458
00:31:55,360 –> 00:31:57,760
or or some other some other such
notable.
459
00:31:57,760 –> 00:32:01,920
That’s probably my study because
generally when I’m at the at the
460
00:32:01,920 –> 00:32:04,840
height of writing something down
and I think I’ve got it right, I
461
00:32:04,840 –> 00:32:07,160
would generally play
Rachmaninoff at that crucial
462
00:32:07,160 –> 00:32:09,480
moment.
Sometimes Brahms, sometimes
463
00:32:09,480 –> 00:32:12,080
Schubert, but definitely
Rachmaninoff at the height of
464
00:32:12,080 –> 00:32:15,200
getting it all down.
So that would be my study.
465
00:32:16,000 –> 00:32:18,840
In another room you will hear
the cello playing, probably
466
00:32:18,840 –> 00:32:22,360
something by Elgar.
That would be my daughter
467
00:32:22,600 –> 00:32:25,160
practicing for her next
examination.
468
00:32:26,160 –> 00:32:29,200
In another room you’ll probably
hear the Trumpet Concerto.
469
00:32:29,280 –> 00:32:33,680
Concerto by Hummel.
That’s my 14 year old son who’s
470
00:32:33,680 –> 00:32:36,200
struggling at the moment because
he has braces on his teeth, but
471
00:32:36,200 –> 00:32:39,400
he’s determined to learn that
trumpet nevertheless if he
472
00:32:39,400 –> 00:32:42,040
possibly can.
In another room you’ll hear the
473
00:32:42,040 –> 00:32:44,880
piano being played for another
examination.
474
00:32:44,960 –> 00:32:48,480
And that’s my 11 year old son.
In another room you’ll hear
475
00:32:48,480 –> 00:32:52,080
something being played, probably
by my wife in the kitchen.
476
00:32:52,240 –> 00:32:56,240
And you’ll hear this glorious
admixture of sound right through
477
00:32:56,240 –> 00:32:59,440
the House of Lewis.
Now if you think that that’s
478
00:32:59,440 –> 00:33:02,680
bad, brothers and sisters, Can
you imagine verses four and
479
00:33:02,680 –> 00:33:06,200
five, what it must have been
like in the House of Heman when
480
00:33:06,200 –> 00:33:10,000
fourteen sons all got together
with their musical instruments,
481
00:33:10,000 –> 00:33:12,920
that they might do their
practice every day as Dad
482
00:33:12,920 –> 00:33:16,320
required.
And having got all the families
483
00:33:16,320 –> 00:33:19,120
together, I think that what then
happened is this.
484
00:33:19,240 –> 00:33:24,480
We’re told in verse 6, all these
were under the hands of their
485
00:33:24,480 –> 00:33:27,840
father for song in the House of
Yahweh.
486
00:33:28,080 –> 00:33:31,320
And on the occasion of verse 6,
I believe that the father
487
00:33:31,320 –> 00:33:36,560
referred to is Asaph himself as
the chief musician of the whole
488
00:33:36,560 –> 00:33:39,280
lot.
So now having practiced in their
489
00:33:39,280 –> 00:33:43,160
family groups, they were brought
together under the watchful eye
490
00:33:43,320 –> 00:33:47,480
of Father Asaph himself.
All the family practices now
491
00:33:47,480 –> 00:33:51,120
finished, now they’re brought
into the temple compound that
492
00:33:51,120 –> 00:33:53,400
they might practice under the
chief conductor.
493
00:33:53,680 –> 00:33:57,480
And woe betide the boy who
plucked a wrong note on their
494
00:33:57,480 –> 00:34:02,400
psaltery, who or who lost their
words in a Psalm because Asaph
495
00:34:02,600 –> 00:34:07,320
wanted it to be just perfect.
Because this was the song of the
496
00:34:07,320 –> 00:34:10,800
Lord.
And they learned 4 things these
497
00:34:10,800 –> 00:34:14,080
boys.
They learned firstly how to play
498
00:34:14,080 –> 00:34:17,719
their instrument.
They learned secondly how to
499
00:34:17,719 –> 00:34:21,719
sing the song.
They learned, thirdly, how to
500
00:34:21,719 –> 00:34:26,080
memorize the words, and they
learned, fourthly, how to
501
00:34:26,120 –> 00:34:29,560
understand the principles behind
the words.
502
00:34:29,719 –> 00:34:33,560
And only when they had those
four things perfect did Father
503
00:34:33,560 –> 00:34:38,280
Asaph consider that they might
be ready for the songs of
504
00:34:38,280 –> 00:34:41,880
worship in the temple of God,
because this man demanded the
505
00:34:41,880 –> 00:34:47,080
excellence of endeavour in all
that he organized as far as this
506
00:34:47,080 –> 00:34:50,400
family was concerned.
So when it says in verse seven
507
00:34:50,520 –> 00:34:55,960
that they were instructed in the
songs and they were coming, in
508
00:34:55,960 –> 00:34:58,560
fact, one of those words, I
think it’s the word instructed.
509
00:34:58,720 –> 00:35:01,480
It’s actually the Hebrew word
for goad.
510
00:35:03,600 –> 00:35:07,320
And guess who held the goad?
You know what a goad is?
511
00:35:07,320 –> 00:35:10,320
GOAD.
It’s what we would call an ox
512
00:35:10,440 –> 00:35:16,560
prod and it was used to
encourage in the right
513
00:35:16,560 –> 00:35:21,160
direction.
And Father Asaph no doubt held
514
00:35:21,160 –> 00:35:25,120
that in order order, they might
give the odd piece of
515
00:35:25,120 –> 00:35:27,000
encouragement wherever
necessary.
516
00:35:27,000 –> 00:35:30,160
So they weren’t instructed and
cunning by accident, brothers
517
00:35:30,160 –> 00:35:32,840
and sisters.
They were instructed and cunning
518
00:35:32,960 –> 00:35:36,480
because of the spirit of
endeavour that whatever they
519
00:35:36,480 –> 00:35:38,720
would do, they would do their
very best for the sake of the
520
00:35:38,720 –> 00:35:41,320
truth in being ready to sing
these songs.
521
00:35:41,560 –> 00:35:47,200
Now, by the way, 288 members,
verse 7, split into 24 courses,
522
00:35:47,200 –> 00:35:52,320
tells us that there were 12
members in each of these 24
523
00:35:52,320 –> 00:35:55,200
courses.
So each course was led by one of
524
00:35:55,200 –> 00:36:00,360
these sons, but there were 12
members in each course, which
525
00:36:00,360 –> 00:36:05,520
made-up the total of the 288
mentioned in the seventh verse.
526
00:36:05,720 –> 00:36:08,280
The excellence of endeavour,
brothers and sisters.
527
00:36:08,280 –> 00:36:10,640
This family stood for that
principle.
528
00:36:10,880 –> 00:36:13,480
Can we have a look at the First
of Chronicles Chapter 9?
529
00:36:14,160 –> 00:36:19,360
In the First of Chronicles
Chapter 9, we’re told this verse
530
00:36:19,360 –> 00:36:34,010
33.
And these are the singers, chief
531
00:36:34,010 –> 00:36:38,530
of the Fathers of the Levites,
who remaining in the chambers
532
00:36:38,530 –> 00:36:43,520
were free, for they were
employed in that work day and
533
00:36:43,520 –> 00:36:45,200
night.
You know that Justinius
534
00:36:45,200 –> 00:36:49,280
translates the word free there
in the 33rd verse.
535
00:36:49,280 –> 00:36:55,520
Justinius says it means that
they were exempt from duty.
536
00:36:57,320 –> 00:37:00,480
And obviously what it’s telling
us is that these who were the
537
00:37:00,480 –> 00:37:05,640
singers, were relieved of any
other duties in the temple.
538
00:37:07,040 –> 00:37:10,880
But whilst they were on temple
service, they had
539
00:37:10,880 –> 00:37:14,960
responsibility, as the verse
says, to sing every day and
540
00:37:14,960 –> 00:37:18,600
every night.
But you wouldn’t want to think
541
00:37:18,600 –> 00:37:20,800
for a moment, brothers and
sisters, that when the verse
542
00:37:20,800 –> 00:37:23,680
says that they were free, that
it meant that they were really
543
00:37:23,680 –> 00:37:25,880
free.
Because as far as Asaf was
544
00:37:25,880 –> 00:37:28,040
concerned, that meant that when
they weren’t singing in the
545
00:37:28,040 –> 00:37:33,120
temple, they were free to do
some more practice because that
546
00:37:33,120 –> 00:37:36,320
was the spirit of this family.
They never ever gave up as as
547
00:37:36,320 –> 00:37:40,240
far as that diligence of
preparation was concerned.
548
00:37:41,600 –> 00:37:45,320
In the Second of Chronicles
chapter 34 in the days of
549
00:37:45,320 –> 00:37:49,320
Josiah, we’re told this at the
time that they went about the
550
00:37:49,320 –> 00:37:53,880
repairing of the temple.
Second of Chronicles chapter 34
551
00:37:54,240 –> 00:38:09,280
and reading verse 12.
And the men did the work
552
00:38:09,280 –> 00:38:15,400
faithfully, and the overseers of
them were Jar Hath and Obadiah,
553
00:38:15,400 –> 00:38:20,480
the Levites of the sons of
Murari and Zechariah, and
554
00:38:20,480 –> 00:38:24,440
Musulum of the sons of the
caliphates, to set it forward,
555
00:38:26,000 –> 00:38:33,600
and other of the Levites that
could skill of instruments of
556
00:38:33,600 –> 00:38:37,680
music.
They also were over the bearers
557
00:38:38,160 –> 00:38:42,440
of the burdens.
Now who were these other Levites
558
00:38:42,440 –> 00:38:45,520
at the end of verse 12?
And I think the answer is that
559
00:38:45,520 –> 00:38:49,560
since those of Mararai and
Kohath have already been
560
00:38:49,560 –> 00:38:53,480
mentioned, and yet they are
singers with instruments, that
561
00:38:53,480 –> 00:38:56,280
they can be none other than the
House of Asaph, which is the
562
00:38:56,280 –> 00:38:59,560
only other division of the
singers not yet mentioned in
563
00:38:59,560 –> 00:39:02,880
this particular text.
So what we’re being told here is
564
00:39:02,880 –> 00:39:08,400
that the singers were put in
charge of the reconstruction of
565
00:39:08,400 –> 00:39:10,560
the temple.
Now what do they know about
566
00:39:10,600 –> 00:39:14,400
building?
Well, they probably didn’t know
567
00:39:14,400 –> 00:39:19,880
all that much.
So why did Josiah put the sons
568
00:39:19,880 –> 00:39:25,920
of Asaph in charge of the
building of the temple amongst
569
00:39:25,920 –> 00:39:29,600
the Levites that could skill of
instruments of music?
570
00:39:29,760 –> 00:39:32,880
And the answer is, brothers and
sisters, that their spirit of
571
00:39:32,880 –> 00:39:37,440
excellence in music qualified
them for other spiritual
572
00:39:37,440 –> 00:39:42,440
responsibilities where likewise
the excellence of endeavour was
573
00:39:42,440 –> 00:39:44,320
needed.
And this family would leave
574
00:39:44,320 –> 00:39:46,200
nothing to chance.
Even in the building of the
575
00:39:46,200 –> 00:39:47,840
temple.
Everything will be done.
576
00:39:47,840 –> 00:39:51,240
Just so Josiah says.
I’ll put the singers in charge
577
00:39:53,440 –> 00:39:55,520
because I know their standard of
excellence.
578
00:39:56,200 –> 00:39:59,880
Everything will be done as it
should be done.
579
00:40:02,120 –> 00:40:05,200
The excellence of endeavour.
You know, brothers and sisters,
580
00:40:05,200 –> 00:40:09,600
I believe that as a general
principle, as a general trend,
581
00:40:09,960 –> 00:40:12,280
there has been a movement away
from.
582
00:40:12,800 –> 00:40:17,080
Driving for excellence in many
fields of endeavour in life and
583
00:40:17,080 –> 00:40:19,880
amongst those is the matter of
music.
584
00:40:20,920 –> 00:40:23,400
Now, I don’t know what it’s like
in in this part of the world.
585
00:40:23,400 –> 00:40:25,920
So I can freely speak in the
knowledge that truly I’m
586
00:40:25,920 –> 00:40:28,880
ignorant of, of what goes on in
America and Canada.
587
00:40:28,880 –> 00:40:31,960
But what what I can tell you is
that in our part of the world,
588
00:40:32,160 –> 00:40:35,400
there’s been a trend in recent
times, even in the brotherhood,
589
00:40:35,400 –> 00:40:42,440
towards what you might call easy
listening, easy playing, easy
590
00:40:42,440 –> 00:40:49,800
learning, simple chords, simple
melodies, simple words.
591
00:40:50,920 –> 00:40:53,240
You don’t want to go go in for
anything that might involve
592
00:40:53,280 –> 00:40:55,680
effort because, well, that would
be hard.
593
00:40:57,120 –> 00:41:01,520
Easy is much better.
Something that enables us to at
594
00:41:01,520 –> 00:41:04,080
least feel that we can play an
instrument, but without any
595
00:41:04,080 –> 00:41:05,640
particular degree of
application.
596
00:41:05,640 –> 00:41:07,640
Well, well, that’s a good thing,
is it not?
597
00:41:09,640 –> 00:41:13,120
Now you see, I think that even
learning musical instruments,
598
00:41:13,120 –> 00:41:15,400
which by the way I think is a
wonderful thing for
599
00:41:15,400 –> 00:41:18,240
Christadelphian children to
learn, but I think that the
600
00:41:18,240 –> 00:41:22,480
principle of examinations is how
they learn the discipline of
601
00:41:22,480 –> 00:41:26,720
striving for excellence and of
mastering the skills that they
602
00:41:26,720 –> 00:41:29,640
will really need if they’re
going to play good music.
603
00:41:31,000 –> 00:41:33,160
I don’t know if you have
examinations here, but in New
604
00:41:33,160 –> 00:41:36,840
Zealand we still have the good
old Royal Schools of London.
605
00:41:37,040 –> 00:41:40,200
We’re very patriotic really to
the English in New Zealand
606
00:41:40,200 –> 00:41:42,640
still.
And so we have the Royal College
607
00:41:42,640 –> 00:41:45,840
Examiners who still come out on
an annual basis to examine
608
00:41:45,840 –> 00:41:47,680
children.
But you see, it’s the way that
609
00:41:47,680 –> 00:41:51,480
you get to know how to play
things and you learn your scales
610
00:41:51,480 –> 00:41:54,480
and arpeggios, not for the sake
of learning scales and
611
00:41:54,480 –> 00:41:57,880
arpeggios, but so you can play
wonderful music because without
612
00:41:57,880 –> 00:42:01,840
those you never shall.
And I think it would be good if
613
00:42:01,840 –> 00:42:05,040
we provided opportunities in
ecclesial life for those
614
00:42:05,040 –> 00:42:08,160
children that learn musical
instruments to have the ability
615
00:42:08,160 –> 00:42:12,160
to play in ecclesial life at
various occasions.
616
00:42:12,440 –> 00:42:15,200
There’s no substitute for
excellence, brothers and
617
00:42:15,200 –> 00:42:17,440
sisters, when it comes to
harmony.
618
00:42:17,640 –> 00:42:19,960
Good harmony.
Well, it’s just good.
619
00:42:19,960 –> 00:42:23,200
You can tell it, it’s, it’s a,
it’s a wonderful thing.
620
00:42:23,840 –> 00:42:27,840
You feel the excellence of, of
that harmonic structure.
621
00:42:27,840 –> 00:42:32,160
And when harmony is not good and
it goes back to being very
622
00:42:32,160 –> 00:42:36,360
simple, what do you do to make
the music more interesting?
623
00:42:38,000 –> 00:42:43,840
Well, you increase the rhythm
and you accentuate the beat.
624
00:42:45,520 –> 00:42:48,960
It’s what you do when the
harmony itself is is somehow
625
00:42:48,960 –> 00:42:53,080
lacking.
You know that the focus of a
626
00:42:53,080 –> 00:42:58,320
Symphony Orchestra is on the
conductor, as one conductor once
627
00:42:58,320 –> 00:43:00,120
said, a very famous conductor,
he said.
628
00:43:00,120 –> 00:43:03,720
You know, an orchestra is simply
a collection of people who are
629
00:43:03,720 –> 00:43:07,040
blowing, scraping, or banging
things.
630
00:43:08,720 –> 00:43:11,560
But it’s when the conductor
stands up that it all finally
631
00:43:11,560 –> 00:43:14,080
comes together.
And when it does, what appeared
632
00:43:14,080 –> 00:43:17,160
to be a cacophony of noise
suddenly turns out to be a
633
00:43:17,160 –> 00:43:21,840
glorious harmony of sound under
the hands of the man who stands
634
00:43:21,840 –> 00:43:24,760
at the front as the conductor or
the chief musician.
635
00:43:25,000 –> 00:43:26,960
You know, if you’ve ever seen,
if you’ve never knew anything
636
00:43:26,960 –> 00:43:30,320
about art and, and someone
showed you a stick figure, man,
637
00:43:30,480 –> 00:43:32,240
you’d probably think that’s
quite good.
638
00:43:36,720 –> 00:43:41,360
But once you’ve seen a
Rembrandt, you don’t think stick
639
00:43:41,360 –> 00:43:43,360
figures are quite so good after
all.
640
00:43:45,920 –> 00:43:47,600
Well, I think music’s like that
too.
641
00:43:49,520 –> 00:43:52,400
I think there is a standard of
excellence in music, but once
642
00:43:52,400 –> 00:43:55,240
you’ve discovered it and once
you’ve found it, and once you’ve
643
00:43:55,240 –> 00:43:57,640
understood it is, you’ll
appreciate that there is
644
00:43:57,760 –> 00:44:01,080
something worth striving for.
You know the very Best Song and
645
00:44:01,080 –> 00:44:03,400
praise evenings.
As our Sister Julie will tell
646
00:44:03,400 –> 00:44:07,120
you, the very Best Song and
praise evenings come after a
647
00:44:07,120 –> 00:44:11,400
great deal of effort when
there’s been practice, when
648
00:44:11,400 –> 00:44:15,200
there’s been earnest endeavour
to master the parts, to strive
649
00:44:15,200 –> 00:44:18,160
for excellence, to offer the
sacrifice of praise.
650
00:44:18,280 –> 00:44:21,920
And yet The funny thing is that
the more the choir tries and the
651
00:44:21,920 –> 00:44:24,880
more effort they put in,
probably the higher they will
652
00:44:24,880 –> 00:44:28,320
rise on the evening.
Because somehow that chemistry
653
00:44:28,320 –> 00:44:32,520
of effort linked to the final
offering of praise lifts us to a
654
00:44:32,520 –> 00:44:35,960
higher standard because of the
excellence of endeavour that
655
00:44:35,960 –> 00:44:39,880
went in behind it.
Don’t ever let take second best
656
00:44:39,880 –> 00:44:43,600
brothers and sisters in our
songs and in our music.
657
00:44:43,600 –> 00:44:46,560
And, and just as with a song and
praise, I think so with our
658
00:44:46,560 –> 00:44:49,560
hymns.
I think that our hymns, we ought
659
00:44:49,560 –> 00:44:53,160
to have far greater focus on the
words, on the meaning of the
660
00:44:53,160 –> 00:44:56,560
words, on the scriptural
background of the words, on the
661
00:44:56,560 –> 00:44:59,720
variance of tempo, on the change
of volume.
662
00:44:59,840 –> 00:45:03,040
That tells everyone that we
really believe and that we
663
00:45:03,040 –> 00:45:06,520
really understand what we’re
singing and that the hymns have
664
00:45:06,520 –> 00:45:08,840
become a powerful adjunct to our
worst.
665
00:45:09,360 –> 00:45:11,440
And their faith before Almighty
God.
666
00:45:11,440 –> 00:45:15,320
The excellence of endeavour.
This is what this particular
667
00:45:15,320 –> 00:45:19,480
family stood for.
Davids own standard of
668
00:45:19,480 –> 00:45:21,920
musicianship was one of
excellence.
669
00:45:22,360 –> 00:45:26,320
A man that can play well and the
coming player on a harp.
670
00:45:26,840 –> 00:45:32,640
Epithet supplied to the king.
His personal skill was such on
671
00:45:32,640 –> 00:45:36,160
his chosen instrument, and given
that that was the case, he would
672
00:45:36,160 –> 00:45:40,800
certainly expect no less from
those chosen to lead the songs
673
00:45:40,800 –> 00:45:43,200
of Yahweh on behalf of all
Israel.
674
00:45:44,320 –> 00:45:47,720
The instruments were intended to
help lift up the voice in
675
00:45:47,720 –> 00:45:52,240
praise, and to do this they
needed to be played with passion
676
00:45:52,400 –> 00:45:56,160
and skill.
There was no casual spirit in
677
00:45:56,160 –> 00:46:00,200
the House of Asaph to offer
thanks, and praise in the
678
00:46:00,200 –> 00:46:04,520
presence of God demanded their
supreme effort in reaching the
679
00:46:04,520 –> 00:46:09,320
highest standard of excellence.
Their skill came only through
680
00:46:09,320 –> 00:46:14,480
patient and incessant practice,
and sprang from a mutual spirit
681
00:46:14,480 –> 00:46:17,440
of striving to give up their
very best in praise.
682
00:46:17,840 –> 00:46:22,680
That they were finally both
instructed and cunning is the
683
00:46:22,680 –> 00:46:25,880
Divine testimony concerning
their efforts.
684
00:46:26,040 –> 00:46:29,400
How glorious it would be,
brothers and sisters, if in all
685
00:46:29,400 –> 00:46:32,720
our songs of worship to the
Father, we captured the spirit
686
00:46:32,720 –> 00:46:36,600
of this family, ever ready to
sing, ever ready to play,
687
00:46:36,800 –> 00:46:41,440
without mistake, without flaw,
without hesitation, as best as
688
00:46:41,440 –> 00:46:44,200
they could.
In this present mortal life, let
689
00:46:44,200 –> 00:46:48,760
us take up the spirit of the
excellence Oven did.
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