Class 5 from this series was used in GCT Episode 338.<\/p>\n
2
\n00:00:03,040 –> 00:00:04,880
\nChristchurch Ecclesia in New
\nZealand. <\/p>\n
3
\n00:00:05,480 –> 00:00:08,960
\nThe theme for Brother Lewis’s
\nclasses this week is The House <\/p>\n
4
\n00:00:08,960 –> 00:00:13,400
\nof Asaph Family of Faith,
\nMasters of Music, and today’s <\/p>\n
5
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\nclass is entitled The Zeal of
\nthe House of Asaph, Brother <\/p>\n
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\nLewis.
\nWell, thank you, Brother <\/p>\n
7
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\nChairman, and my three brothers
\nand sisters in the Lord Jesus <\/p>\n
8
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\nChrist this morning.
\nThen we come to the next story <\/p>\n
9
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\nor the next stage of the House
\nof Asaph. <\/p>\n
10
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\nAs we trace them through the
\ndivine record. <\/p>\n
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\nYou’ll remember that in our
\nprevious session, we found that <\/p>\n
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\nthat we we took the House of
\nAsaph from the time that David <\/p>\n
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\nhad first appointed them through
\nto the time of their singing of <\/p>\n
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\npraise at the consecration of
\nthe Temple. <\/p>\n
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\nAnd that when the House of Asaph
\nLED that singing of praise in <\/p>\n
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\nthe days of Solomon, that this
\nwas about 40 years from the time<\/p>\n
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\nthat David had first selected
\nAsaph that he might be in charge<\/p>\n
18
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\nof the music of praise.
\nSo we’ve gone from about BC 1000<\/p>\n
19
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\ndown to BC 960 at the time of
\nthe dedication of the Temple. <\/p>\n
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\nAnd then from the time of
\nSolomon we moved to the crisis <\/p>\n
21
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\nof Jehoshaphat, and we found
\nthat that’s about another 100 <\/p>\n
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\nyears later on in time.
\nWe’ve gone from BC 960 down to <\/p>\n
23
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\nBC 860, and therefore the sons
\nof Asaph who sang that song at <\/p>\n
24
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\nthe front of the choir in the
\ndays of Jehoshaphat, 100 years <\/p>\n
25
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\nafter the time of Solomon, must
\nbe about two or three <\/p>\n
26
\n00:01:50,880 –> 00:01:54,720
\ngenerations later on in that
\nfamily. <\/p>\n
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\nThey’re not the same people.
\nThey’re not the same singers. <\/p>\n
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\nThis would be the grandsons of
\nthose who would have sung at the<\/p>\n
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\ntime of the celebrations in the
\ntemple. <\/p>\n
30
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\nNow after the death of
\nJehoshaphat, disaster struck the<\/p>\n
31
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\nKingdom of Judah for almost 20
\nyears. <\/p>\n
32
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\nBecause in those 20 years where
\nwe we find from the divine <\/p>\n
33
\n00:02:20,760 –> 00:02:25,400
\nrecord that Etheliah, who was of
\ncourse Jehabel’s daughter, was <\/p>\n
34
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\nthe power behind the throne,
\nboth in the reigns of her <\/p>\n
35
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\nhusband, who was Jehoram, and
\nalso in the reign of her son, <\/p>\n
36
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\nwho was a Hesiah.
\nAnd finally, after the death of <\/p>\n
37
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\nboth her husband and her son,
\nshe took the Kingdom for herself<\/p>\n
38
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\nand she ruled Judah for a period
\nof six years. <\/p>\n
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\n00:02:45,280 –> 00:02:48,080
\nAnd for one brief moment of
\ntime, brothers and sisters, the <\/p>\n
40
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\nHouse of Jezebel was in control
\nof both the northern Kingdom, <\/p>\n
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\nheaven and the southern Kingdom.
\nThe House of Jezebel ruled all <\/p>\n
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\nIsrael.
\nAnd her taste most certainly did<\/p>\n
43
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\nnot run to the songs of the
\nHouse of Asaph. <\/p>\n
44
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\nBut during that time, the time
\nof Atheliah’s reign, Jehoiada <\/p>\n
45
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\nthe priest and his faithful wife
\nJehoshabeth were planning a <\/p>\n
46
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\nspiritual revival.
\nThey wanted to reinstate the <\/p>\n
47
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\nDavidic line, which had all but
\nbeen wiped out by Atheliah. <\/p>\n
48
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\nAnd after six years of
\npreparation, they acted. <\/p>\n
49
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\nAnd we’re told of this in the
\nSecond of Chronicles chapter 23.<\/p>\n
50
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\nSo now we’ve come to BC 835.
\nSo this is about 25 years now <\/p>\n
51
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\nafter the crisis in the life of
\nJehoshaphat. <\/p>\n
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\nWe’re now 25 years further on,
\nprobably another generation on <\/p>\n
53
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\nin the family of the House of
\nAsaph. <\/p>\n
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\nAnd in the Second of Chronicles
\nchapter 23, we’re told of the <\/p>\n
55
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\narrangements that Jehoiada made
\nthat he might reinstitute the <\/p>\n
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\nthe Davidic line.
\nWe’re told there in the third <\/p>\n
57
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\nverse it says that all the
\ncongregation made a covenant <\/p>\n
58
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\nwith the king in the House of
\nGod. <\/p>\n
59
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\nAnd he said unto them, Behold,
\nthe King’s son shall reign, as <\/p>\n
60
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\nYahweh has said of the sons of
\nDavid. <\/p>\n
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\nAnd, and I’ve no doubt by the
\nway, that that as as Jehovah <\/p>\n
62
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\nsaid those words in verse 3,
\nbehold, the King’s son shall <\/p>\n
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\nreign, that he brought out from
\nbehind him this little boy, the <\/p>\n
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\nlittle boy Joash.
\nAnd there must have been great <\/p>\n
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\nweeping and lamentation on that
\nday as the nation realized that <\/p>\n
66
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\none child of the line of David
\nhad been miraculously preserved <\/p>\n
67
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\nin the Providence of God.
\nAnd they made covenant with <\/p>\n
68
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\nJehoiada on that day that truly
\nthey would enthrone this boy to <\/p>\n
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\nbe king, that the Davidic line
\nmight be preserved. <\/p>\n
70
\n00:04:51,120 –> 00:04:54,760
\nSo the arrangements that
\nJehoiada made were verse six, <\/p>\n
71
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\nthat none were to come into the
\nHouse of God save the priests, <\/p>\n
72
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\nand they that minister and the
\nLevites, verse seven were to <\/p>\n
73
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\ncompass the king round about
\nevery man with his weapon in his<\/p>\n
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\nhand.
\nAnd we’re told in the eighth <\/p>\n
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\nverse that the Levites and all
\nJudah did according to all <\/p>\n
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\nthings, that Jehoiada, the
\npriesthood commanded and took <\/p>\n
77
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\nevery man, his men that would
\ncome in on the Sabbath with them<\/p>\n
78
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\nthat were to go out on the
\nSabbath for Jehoiada the priest <\/p>\n
79
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\ndismissed, not the courses.
\nSo by the way, you’ll see what <\/p>\n
80
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\nit says there in verse eight,
\nthat the courses, the courses of<\/p>\n
81
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\nthe priests, the 24 courses of
\nthe priests and the courses of <\/p>\n
82
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\nthe singers were changed over
\neach Sabbath day. <\/p>\n
83
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\nSo one course finished and left
\nand a new course arrived and the<\/p>\n
84
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\ncourses crossed over on the
\nSabbath each week. <\/p>\n
85
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\nWell, on this occasion Jehoiada
\ncancelled all leave. <\/p>\n
86
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\nNo one was allowed to leave on
\nthis occasion, including the <\/p>\n
87
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\nsingers.
\nAnd verse 10 says he set all the<\/p>\n
88
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\npeople, every man having his
\nweapon in his hand, from his <\/p>\n
89
\n00:06:04,040 –> 00:06:07,080
\nfrom the right side of the
\ntemple to the left side of the <\/p>\n
90
\n00:06:07,080 –> 00:06:09,880
\ntemple along by the altar, and
\nthe temple by the king <\/p>\n
91
\n00:06:09,880 –> 00:06:12,280
\nroundabout.
\nAnd they brought out the King’s <\/p>\n
92
\n00:06:12,280 –> 00:06:16,200
\nson and put upon him the crown
\nand gave him the testimony, <\/p>\n
93
\n00:06:16,240 –> 00:06:20,640
\nwhich I’m sure was a scroll of
\nthe law, and made him king. <\/p>\n
94
\n00:06:20,880 –> 00:06:24,160
\nAnd Jehoiad and his sons
\nanointed him, and said, God save<\/p>\n
95
\n00:06:24,160 –> 00:06:27,880
\nthe king.
\nNow when Ephemiah heard the <\/p>\n
96
\n00:06:27,880 –> 00:06:32,040
\nnoise of the people running and
\npraising the king, she came to <\/p>\n
97
\n00:06:32,040 –> 00:06:34,680
\nthe people into the House of the
\nLord. <\/p>\n
98
\n00:06:35,320 –> 00:06:39,760
\nAnd she looked.
\nAnd behold, the king stood at <\/p>\n
99
\n00:06:39,760 –> 00:06:43,520
\nhis pillar at the entering inn.
\nAnd the Princess and the <\/p>\n
100
\n00:06:43,520 –> 00:06:47,320
\ntrumpeters by the king, and all
\nthe people of the land bejoiced <\/p>\n
101
\n00:06:47,320 –> 00:06:50,480
\nand sounded with trumpets.
\nAlso the singers with <\/p>\n
102
\n00:06:50,480 –> 00:06:54,440
\ninstruments of music and such as
\ntaught to sing praise. <\/p>\n
103
\n00:06:54,800 –> 00:06:59,560
\nSo here on this occasion of the
\ncoronation of the boy king, the <\/p>\n
104
\n00:06:59,560 –> 00:07:04,800
\nsingers were there and also the
\npriests on trumpets, says the <\/p>\n
105
\n00:07:04,800 –> 00:07:08,040
\n13th verse.
\nAnd I think that the presence of<\/p>\n
106
\n00:07:08,040 –> 00:07:12,280
\nthe singers here turn this
\nmatter of the royal coronation <\/p>\n
107
\n00:07:12,480 –> 00:07:15,680
\ninto an act of worship before
\nAlmighty God. <\/p>\n
108
\n00:07:15,880 –> 00:07:19,400
\nAnd it wasn’t just any singers.
\nDo you notice that it wasn’t <\/p>\n
109
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\njust that the singers were
\npresent because verse 13 says <\/p>\n
110
\n00:07:23,240 –> 00:07:28,440
\nthat specifically those who sang
\non that occasion were the were <\/p>\n
111
\n00:07:28,440 –> 00:07:34,160
\nthose who were singers with
\ninstruments of music and such as<\/p>\n
112
\n00:07:34,160 –> 00:07:40,960
\ntaught to sing praise or as
\nrather hymns says, such as led <\/p>\n
113
\n00:07:41,000 –> 00:07:46,120
\nthe offering of praise.
\nNow these were the elite among <\/p>\n
114
\n00:07:46,120 –> 00:07:48,840
\nthe singers.
\nIf you come back to the first of<\/p>\n
115
\n00:07:48,840 –> 00:07:52,800
\nChronicles, chapter 25, I
\nbelieve that this is the group <\/p>\n
116
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\nthat I referred to on this
\noccasion because who Jehoiada <\/p>\n
117
\n00:07:57,680 –> 00:08:02,880
\nreally assembled to sing on that
\noccasion were the leaders of all<\/p>\n
118
\n00:08:02,880 –> 00:08:05,960
\nthe singers.
\nAnd in chapter 25 of the first <\/p>\n
119
\n00:08:05,960 –> 00:08:10,560
\nof Chronicles, we’re we’re told
\nof these in the seventh verse it<\/p>\n
120
\n00:08:10,560 –> 00:08:13,320
\nsays there.
\nSo the number of them with their<\/p>\n
121
\n00:08:13,320 –> 00:08:19,160
\nbrethren that were instructed in
\nthe songs of Yahweh, even all <\/p>\n
122
\n00:08:19,240 –> 00:08:25,440
\nthat were coming was 204 score
\nand eight. <\/p>\n
123
\n00:08:26,000 –> 00:08:31,040
\nSo these particular ones, the
\n288 members of the first of <\/p>\n
124
\n00:08:31,040 –> 00:08:36,120
\nChronicles 25, verse 7, they
\nwere the specially skilled <\/p>\n
125
\n00:08:36,120 –> 00:08:40,240
\nsingers who led all the others.
\nRemember how we said that on an <\/p>\n
126
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\nearly occasion there was
\nactually 4000 who sang in the <\/p>\n
127
\n00:08:44,120 –> 00:08:48,800
\nchoirs?
\nBut these 288 members of the <\/p>\n
128
\n00:08:48,800 –> 00:08:53,680
\nfirst of Chronicles 25 and verse
\n7, they were the instructed <\/p>\n
129
\n00:08:53,680 –> 00:08:57,560
\nones.
\nThey were the leaders of all the<\/p>\n
130
\n00:08:57,560 –> 00:09:00,280
\nsingers, and they were broken up
\ninto courses. <\/p>\n
131
\n00:09:00,600 –> 00:09:04,520
\nAnd we’re told that the courses
\nfrom verse 8 to 31, well, there <\/p>\n
132
\n00:09:04,520 –> 00:09:10,200
\nwas 24 courses, and the first of
\nall those courses says the ninth<\/p>\n
133
\n00:09:10,200 –> 00:09:14,800
\nverse.
\nNow the first lot came forth for<\/p>\n
134
\n00:09:14,800 –> 00:09:19,280
\nAsaph to Joseph.
\nAnd so the very first of all the<\/p>\n
135
\n00:09:19,280 –> 00:09:23,840
\ncourses of the elite singers
\nwere none other than the House <\/p>\n
136
\n00:09:23,880 –> 00:09:26,800
\nof Asaph.
\nSo coming back to the the Second<\/p>\n
137
\n00:09:26,800 –> 00:09:30,680
\nof Chronicles now and Chapter
\n23, when we’re told that <\/p>\n
138
\n00:09:30,680 –> 00:09:36,280
\nJehoiada assembled those singers
\nsuch as taught to sing praise <\/p>\n
139
\n00:09:36,520 –> 00:09:40,320
\nwho he gathered together on that
\noccasion were the leaders <\/p>\n
140
\n00:09:40,320 –> 00:09:44,960
\nthemselves and amongst those we
\nbelieve was the House of Asaph. <\/p>\n
141
\n00:09:46,360 –> 00:09:50,840
\nWhy did Jehoiada ask for these
\nto be present on this day? <\/p>\n
142
\n00:09:51,520 –> 00:09:54,760
\nAnd I think is it is brothers
\nand sisters, because he saw in <\/p>\n
143
\n00:09:54,760 –> 00:09:59,200
\nthis event the coronation of a
\nman of David to be a true <\/p>\n
144
\n00:09:59,200 –> 00:10:02,720
\nmilestone in the spiritual
\nrevival of the nation. <\/p>\n
145
\n00:10:02,840 –> 00:10:06,520
\nAnd he wanted the very best.
\nHe wanted the highest standard <\/p>\n
146
\n00:10:06,680 –> 00:10:09,600
\nfrom the beginning of this boy’s
\nreign that it might be a <\/p>\n
147
\n00:10:09,600 –> 00:10:13,480
\nbenchmark for all to follow.
\nSo he said on this day we’ll get<\/p>\n
148
\n00:10:13,480 –> 00:10:17,200
\nthe very best of all the singers
\nthat they might sing on the <\/p>\n
149
\n00:10:17,200 –> 00:10:19,280
\noccasion of the coronation of
\nthis king. <\/p>\n
150
\n00:10:19,480 –> 00:10:22,840
\nAnd the House of Asaph were
\nthere and they sang. <\/p>\n
151
\n00:10:24,160 –> 00:10:27,160
\nAnd we’re told in the 18th verse
\nthat as a result of that, <\/p>\n
152
\n00:10:27,440 –> 00:10:30,360
\nJehoiada established that
\nbecause it says verse 18, <\/p>\n
153
\n00:10:30,600 –> 00:10:35,240
\nJehoiada appointed the officers
\nof the House of of Yahweh by the<\/p>\n
154
\n00:10:35,240 –> 00:10:38,560
\nhand of the priests, the
\nLevites, whom David had <\/p>\n
155
\n00:10:38,560 –> 00:10:41,640
\ndistributed in the House of
\nYahweh, to offer the burnt <\/p>\n
156
\n00:10:41,640 –> 00:10:44,520
\nofferings of Yahweh as it is
\nwritten in the law of Moses, <\/p>\n
157
\n00:10:45,120 –> 00:10:49,120
\nwith rejoicing and singing, as
\nit was ordained by David. <\/p>\n
158
\n00:10:49,320 –> 00:10:54,680
\nSo he ordained priests to offer
\nafter the law of Moses, and he <\/p>\n
159
\n00:10:54,680 –> 00:10:59,440
\nordained singers to praise after
\nthe ordinance of David. <\/p>\n
160
\n00:11:00,440 –> 00:11:03,920
\nIn fact, I think that there was
\na concern here that there be no <\/p>\n
161
\n00:11:03,920 –> 00:11:09,080
\nunauthorized change from these
\nstandards that had been set on <\/p>\n
162
\n00:11:09,080 –> 00:11:11,720
\nan early occasion by David
\nhimself. <\/p>\n
163
\n00:11:12,040 –> 00:11:14,360
\nNow, isn’t this remarkable,
\nbrothers and sisters, that here <\/p>\n
164
\n00:11:14,360 –> 00:11:18,160
\nagain, at the moment of the
\ncoronation of Joas, what we <\/p>\n
165
\n00:11:18,160 –> 00:11:24,440
\nreally have organized by
\nJehoiada is a spiritual revival <\/p>\n
166
\n00:11:24,640 –> 00:11:28,120
\nin the nation.
\nAnd the moment there’s a <\/p>\n
167
\n00:11:28,120 –> 00:11:33,760
\nspiritual revival in the nation,
\nwho’s there quick as a flesh. <\/p>\n
168
\n00:11:35,240 –> 00:11:40,040
\nBut the House of Asaph, whenever
\nthere was a moment of spiritual <\/p>\n
169
\n00:11:40,040 –> 00:11:45,480
\nrevival in Judah, you’ll always
\nfind the House of Asaph there, <\/p>\n
170
\n00:11:45,880 –> 00:11:49,600
\nready to sing the songs of
\npraise and to lift the nation <\/p>\n
171
\n00:11:49,760 –> 00:11:52,600
\nback to spiritual heights.
\nMarvellous family, this one. <\/p>\n
172
\n00:11:52,600 –> 00:11:58,320
\nNow this is 25 years after the
\ncrisis of Jehoshaphat in the <\/p>\n
173
\n00:11:58,320 –> 00:12:03,560
\nSecond of Chronicles chapter 20.
\nWell the the reign of of the <\/p>\n
174
\n00:12:03,560 –> 00:12:07,120
\nyoung king began well, but after
\nJehoiada was dead it <\/p>\n
175
\n00:12:07,120 –> 00:12:09,520
\ndeteriorated.
\nAnd if you come to the Second of<\/p>\n
176
\n00:12:09,520 –> 00:12:15,280
\nChronicles chapter 24 and verses
\n17 to 19, we find that in the <\/p>\n
177
\n00:12:15,280 –> 00:12:18,720
\nlatter part of Joash’s reign
\nthat everything began to <\/p>\n
178
\n00:12:18,720 –> 00:12:23,120
\ndeteriorate spiritually.
\nWe’re told there it says now <\/p>\n
179
\n00:12:23,120 –> 00:12:27,600
\nafter the death of Jehoiada came
\nthe Princess of Judah and made <\/p>\n
180
\n00:12:27,600 –> 00:12:30,840
\nobeisance to the king.
\nThen the king hearkened unto <\/p>\n
181
\n00:12:30,840 –> 00:12:35,120
\nthem, and they left the House of
\nYahweh, Elohim of their fathers,<\/p>\n
182
\n00:12:35,480 –> 00:12:39,960
\nand served Groves and idols, and
\nwrath came upon Judah and <\/p>\n
183
\n00:12:39,960 –> 00:12:42,120
\nJerusalem for this their
\ntrespass. <\/p>\n
184
\n00:12:42,760 –> 00:12:45,960
\nYet He He sent prophets to them
\nto bring them again unto Yahweh,<\/p>\n
185
\n00:12:45,960 –> 00:12:50,400
\nand they testified against them,
\nbut they would not hear. <\/p>\n
186
\n00:12:51,960 –> 00:12:56,560
\nAnd so the nation again
\ndeteriorated into a period of <\/p>\n
187
\n00:12:56,920 –> 00:13:00,120
\nspiritual apostasy.
\nIn fact, the next king, Amaziah,<\/p>\n
188
\n00:13:00,120 –> 00:13:02,720
\ncome and have a look at him in
\nthe Second of Chronicles chapter<\/p>\n
189
\n00:13:02,720 –> 00:13:06,800
\n25 and verse 14.
\nJust imagine what it would be <\/p>\n
190
\n00:13:06,800 –> 00:13:10,640
\nlike to be a member of the House
\nof Asaph during this time. <\/p>\n
191
\n00:13:10,840 –> 00:13:15,520
\nIn the Second of Chronicles 25
\nand verse 14 it says this came <\/p>\n
192
\n00:13:15,520 –> 00:13:19,320
\nto pass after that Amaziah was
\ncome from the slaughter of the <\/p>\n
193
\n00:13:19,320 –> 00:13:23,120
\nEdomites, that he brought the
\ngods of the children of Seir and<\/p>\n
194
\n00:13:23,120 –> 00:13:25,720
\nset them up to be his gods.
\nIsn’t it a remarkable thing how <\/p>\n
195
\n00:13:25,720 –> 00:13:27,760
\nperverse the flesh is?
\nBy the way, brothers and <\/p>\n
196
\n00:13:27,760 –> 00:13:31,200
\nsisters, you see, Amazon has
\njust successfully defeated the <\/p>\n
197
\n00:13:31,200 –> 00:13:38,120
\nEdomites, so therefore Yahweh,
\nthe God of Israel, is greater <\/p>\n
198
\n00:13:38,120 –> 00:13:42,440
\nthan the gods of Edom.
\nBut he promptly brought home the<\/p>\n
199
\n00:13:42,440 –> 00:13:47,320
\ngods of Edom, and set them up to
\nbe his gods and worship them. <\/p>\n
200
\n00:13:47,320 –> 00:13:50,080
\nIsn’t the flesh strange,
\nbrothers and sisters? <\/p>\n
201
\n00:13:50,080 –> 00:13:53,880
\nAnd verse 15 says that the anger
\nof Yahweh was kindled against <\/p>\n
202
\n00:13:53,880 –> 00:13:56,040
\nAmaziah.
\nAnd he sent unto him a prophet, <\/p>\n
203
\n00:13:56,200 –> 00:13:59,320
\nwhich said unto him, Why hast
\nthou sought after the gods of <\/p>\n
204
\n00:13:59,320 –> 00:14:02,360
\nthe people, which could not
\ndeliver their own people out of <\/p>\n
205
\n00:14:02,360 –> 00:14:05,120
\nthine hand?
\nAnd it came to pass, as he <\/p>\n
206
\n00:14:05,120 –> 00:14:08,560
\ntalked with him, that the king
\nsaid unto him, Art thou made of <\/p>\n
207
\n00:14:08,560 –> 00:14:12,600
\nthe King’s counsel for bear?
\nWhy shouldst thou be smitten? <\/p>\n
208
\n00:14:13,840 –> 00:14:16,760
\nNow, do you know that in the
\nAuthorized Version, the 16th <\/p>\n
209
\n00:14:16,760 –> 00:14:20,080
\nverse is probably a little
\nlittle lacking in punch? <\/p>\n
210
\n00:14:20,560 –> 00:14:23,480
\nBecause this is what Amazon
\nreally said, and I’m reading <\/p>\n
211
\n00:14:23,480 –> 00:14:25,520
\nfrom the Revised Standard
\nVersion. <\/p>\n
212
\n00:14:25,840 –> 00:14:28,120
\nIt came to pass, as he talked
\nwith him, that the King said <\/p>\n
213
\n00:14:28,120 –> 00:14:34,720
\nunto him, Have we made you a
\nroyal councillor? <\/p>\n
214
\n00:14:36,320 –> 00:14:41,320
\nStop.
\nWhy should you be put to death? <\/p>\n
215
\n00:14:43,320 –> 00:14:47,200
\nSo a man that stood up to
\nproclaim the truth of God was <\/p>\n
216
\n00:14:47,200 –> 00:14:50,640
\nthreatened with immediate death
\nby this particular king. <\/p>\n
217
\n00:14:50,640 –> 00:14:54,040
\nHow would you like to be one of
\nthe singers trying to sing the <\/p>\n
218
\n00:14:54,040 –> 00:14:57,920
\nsongs of praise in the days of
\nthis man who worshipped the gods<\/p>\n
219
\n00:14:57,920 –> 00:15:01,880
\nof Eden?
\nIf you come to the time of Ahaz,<\/p>\n
220
\n00:15:02,000 –> 00:15:05,440
\njust a short while later in the
\nSecond of Chronicles chapter 28,<\/p>\n
221
\n00:15:05,640 –> 00:15:08,480
\nwe’re told this in the 22nd
\nverse. <\/p>\n
222
\n00:15:09,760 –> 00:15:14,880
\nThese were not good times in the
\nhistory of Judah, and we’re told<\/p>\n
223
\n00:15:15,000 –> 00:15:18,440
\nin the Second of Chronicles
\nchapter 28 and verse 22 that in <\/p>\n
224
\n00:15:18,440 –> 00:15:23,840
\nthe time of his distress did he
\ntrespass yet more against <\/p>\n
225
\n00:15:23,840 –> 00:15:29,240
\nYahweh.
\nThis is that king Ahaz, for he <\/p>\n
226
\n00:15:29,240 –> 00:15:32,440
\nsacrificed unto the gods of
\nDamascus, which smote him. <\/p>\n
227
\n00:15:33,160 –> 00:15:36,480
\nAnd he said, Because the gods of
\nthe kings of Assyria help them, <\/p>\n
228
\n00:15:37,120 –> 00:15:40,680
\ntherefore will I sacrifice to
\nthem, that they may help me, <\/p>\n
229
\n00:15:41,040 –> 00:15:44,360
\nthat they were the ruin of him
\nand of all Israel. <\/p>\n
230
\n00:15:45,160 –> 00:15:47,720
\nAnd they has gathered together
\nthe vessels of the House of God,<\/p>\n
231
\n00:15:48,240 –> 00:15:50,840
\nand cut in pieces the vessels of
\nthe House of God, and shut up <\/p>\n
232
\n00:15:50,840 –> 00:15:53,000
\nthe doors of the House of
\nYahweh. <\/p>\n
233
\n00:15:53,640 –> 00:15:57,320
\nAnd he made them altars in every
\ncorner of Jerusalem, and in <\/p>\n
234
\n00:15:57,320 –> 00:16:00,200
\nevery several city of Judah.
\nHe made high places to burn <\/p>\n
235
\n00:16:00,200 –> 00:16:04,360
\nincense unto other gods, and
\nprovoked to anger the Lord God <\/p>\n
236
\n00:16:04,360 –> 00:16:06,080
\nof his fathers.
\nDo you know, brothers and <\/p>\n
237
\n00:16:06,080 –> 00:16:13,160
\nsisters, that between the time
\nof Joash and Hezekiah, who will <\/p>\n
238
\n00:16:13,160 –> 00:16:16,120
\nnow come upon the throne after
\nthe death of Ahaz, his father, <\/p>\n
239
\n00:16:16,120 –> 00:16:21,720
\nbetween Joash and Hezekiah the
\nwords sing. <\/p>\n
240
\n00:16:23,040 –> 00:16:29,520
\nSingers and singing are never
\nonce found. <\/p>\n
241
\n00:16:31,680 –> 00:16:35,600
\nIt’s as if the whole story of
\nsongs of praise disappear out of<\/p>\n
242
\n00:16:35,600 –> 00:16:37,920
\nthe record.
\nAnd So what did the House of <\/p>\n
243
\n00:16:37,920 –> 00:16:41,920
\nAsaph do in this era of
\nspiritual darkness? <\/p>\n
244
\n00:16:45,000 –> 00:16:46,880
\nWell, I know what they did,
\nbrothers and sisters. <\/p>\n
245
\n00:16:48,640 –> 00:16:53,400
\nThey preserved their faith and
\nthey went on the ground. <\/p>\n
246
\n00:16:55,920 –> 00:16:59,920
\nYou see, there would be no daily
\nchoir practices with the doors <\/p>\n
247
\n00:16:59,920 –> 00:17:02,760
\nof the temple nailed up, would
\nthere? <\/p>\n
248
\n00:17:04,839 –> 00:17:07,560
\nYou couldn’t get into the temple
\nin the days of Ahaz. <\/p>\n
249
\n00:17:07,680 –> 00:17:13,480
\nHe’d lock them out.
\nBut in their private homes, the <\/p>\n
250
\n00:17:13,480 –> 00:17:17,200
\nHouse of Asaph upheld their
\nfamily standards. <\/p>\n
251
\n00:17:18,240 –> 00:17:23,520
\nAnd in their private homes they
\ncontinued to ascend into the <\/p>\n
252
\n00:17:23,520 –> 00:17:27,040
\ndivine presence.
\nRemarkable story, this <\/p>\n
253
\n00:17:27,040 –> 00:17:30,480
\nparticular family, so much so
\nthat when Hezekiah comes to the <\/p>\n
254
\n00:17:30,480 –> 00:17:33,840
\nthrone in the second of
\nChronicles chapter 29, we read <\/p>\n
255
\n00:17:33,840 –> 00:17:37,920
\nthese words in the third verse.
\nIt says, It says of him, Well, <\/p>\n
256
\n00:17:38,200 –> 00:17:42,600
\nhe in the first year of his
\nreign, in the first month opened<\/p>\n
257
\n00:17:42,600 –> 00:17:46,120
\nthe doors of the House of
\nYahweh, and repaired them. <\/p>\n
258
\n00:17:47,120 –> 00:17:49,480
\nAnd he brought on the priests
\nand Levites, and gathered them <\/p>\n
259
\n00:17:49,480 –> 00:17:53,480
\ntogether under the East St., and
\nsaid unto them, Hear me, ye <\/p>\n
260
\n00:17:53,480 –> 00:17:58,360
\nLevites, sanctify yourselves,
\nand sanctify the House of <\/p>\n
261
\n00:17:58,360 –> 00:18:02,320
\nYahweh, God of your Father’s,
\nand carry forth the filthiness <\/p>\n
262
\n00:18:02,600 –> 00:18:04,960
\nout of this place.
\nVerse 11. <\/p>\n
263
\n00:18:05,160 –> 00:18:10,040
\nMy sons, be not now negligent,
\nfor Yahweh have chosen you to <\/p>\n
264
\n00:18:10,040 –> 00:18:13,920
\nstand before Him, to serve Him,
\nthat you should minister unto <\/p>\n
265
\n00:18:13,920 –> 00:18:17,280
\nHim and burn the incense.
\nSo the appeal that Hezekiah <\/p>\n
266
\n00:18:17,280 –> 00:18:20,640
\nmakes at the time of this
\nbeginning of his reign, this <\/p>\n
267
\n00:18:20,760 –> 00:18:23,920
\nthis period of spiritual
\nrevival, by the way, is not to <\/p>\n
268
\n00:18:23,920 –> 00:18:26,240
\nthe priests, you’ll notice, but
\nto the Levites. <\/p>\n
269
\n00:18:27,000 –> 00:18:30,760
\nAnd he asked the Levites to help
\nhim, that they might revive the <\/p>\n
270
\n00:18:30,760 –> 00:18:33,800
\nnation again.
\nNow look what verse 12 says, who<\/p>\n
271
\n00:18:33,800 –> 00:18:38,320
\nresponded?
\nThen the Levites arose Mahath <\/p>\n
272
\n00:18:38,320 –> 00:18:41,200
\nthe son of Emissiah, and Joel
\nthe son of Ezoriah, of the sons <\/p>\n
273
\n00:18:41,200 –> 00:18:45,160
\nof the caliphates and of the
\nsons of Marahi, kissed, the son <\/p>\n
274
\n00:18:45,160 –> 00:18:48,920
\nof Abdi and Ezzoriah, the son of
\nJehalil and of the Gershonites, <\/p>\n
275
\n00:18:49,000 –> 00:18:53,520
\nJoah, the son of Zimmer and Eden
\nthe son of Joah, and of the sons<\/p>\n
276
\n00:18:53,520 –> 00:18:59,920
\nof Eliza than Shimrai and Jahil,
\nand of the sons of Asaph. <\/p>\n
277
\n00:19:01,480 –> 00:19:08,320
\nVerse 13.
\nZechariah and Matanar So here <\/p>\n
278
\n00:19:08,320 –> 00:19:13,880
\nnow as the Levites responded to
\nthe call of Hezekiah that they <\/p>\n
279
\n00:19:13,880 –> 00:19:18,720
\nmight renew the nation, Why The
\nsons of Asaph are there, and <\/p>\n
280
\n00:19:18,720 –> 00:19:21,600
\nthey’re amongst the Levites who
\nrespond at the time that <\/p>\n
281
\n00:19:21,720 –> 00:19:25,880
\nHezekiah asks them to respond.
\nAnd of course, you know what <\/p>\n
282
\n00:19:25,880 –> 00:19:28,320
\nthey did?
\nBecause verse 16 says the <\/p>\n
283
\n00:19:28,320 –> 00:19:30,920
\npriests went into the inner part
\nof the House of Yahweh to <\/p>\n
284
\n00:19:30,920 –> 00:19:32,880
\ncleanse it.
\nAnd they brought out all the <\/p>\n
285
\n00:19:32,880 –> 00:19:35,760
\nuncleanness that they found in
\nthe temple of Yahweh into the <\/p>\n
286
\n00:19:35,760 –> 00:19:39,520
\ncourt of the House of Yahweh.
\nAnd the Levites took it to carry<\/p>\n
287
\n00:19:39,520 –> 00:19:41,560
\nit out abroad under the brook
\nkey. <\/p>\n
288
\n00:19:41,560 –> 00:19:43,360
\nJohn.
\nNow you realize what we’re being<\/p>\n
289
\n00:19:43,360 –> 00:19:47,280
\ntold in the 16th verse, brothers
\nand sisters, you see these, This<\/p>\n
290
\n00:19:47,280 –> 00:19:51,080
\nis the House of Asaph.
\nThese are the singers. <\/p>\n
291
\n00:19:51,960 –> 00:19:54,960
\nThey’ve got the delicate fingers
\nof musicians. <\/p>\n
292
\n00:19:55,120 –> 00:19:57,640
\nThese are they who pluck the
\nsultry. <\/p>\n
293
\n00:19:58,920 –> 00:20:02,720
\nAnd yet here they are, with cuts
\nand scratches, broken nails and <\/p>\n
294
\n00:20:02,720 –> 00:20:06,240
\nbruised thumbs, lugging the
\nrubble of apostasy out of the <\/p>\n
295
\n00:20:06,240 –> 00:20:07,600
\ntemple.
\nDo you think that would stop the<\/p>\n
296
\n00:20:07,600 –> 00:20:10,440
\nHouse of Asaph?
\nCount us in, they say to <\/p>\n
297
\n00:20:10,440 –> 00:20:13,720
\nHezekiah.
\nOr there was no hesitation, was <\/p>\n
298
\n00:20:13,720 –> 00:20:17,800
\nthere as far as this family was
\nconcerned to be involved in this<\/p>\n
299
\n00:20:17,800 –> 00:20:21,600
\nmatter of spiritual revival.
\nThey were there in the thick of <\/p>\n
300
\n00:20:21,600 –> 00:20:24,240
\nit.
\nIt only took 16 days because the<\/p>\n
301
\n00:20:24,240 –> 00:20:28,400
\n17th verse says that they began
\non the first day of the month. <\/p>\n
302
\n00:20:28,600 –> 00:20:32,640
\nAnd at the end of the verse it
\nsays in the 16th day of that <\/p>\n
303
\n00:20:32,640 –> 00:20:38,200
\nfirst month they made an end.
\nAnd it was, says verse 20, on <\/p>\n
304
\n00:20:38,200 –> 00:20:43,320
\nthe very next morning that
\nHezekiah the king rose early and<\/p>\n
305
\n00:20:43,320 –> 00:20:45,920
\ngathered the rulers of the city
\nand went up to the House of <\/p>\n
306
\n00:20:45,920 –> 00:20:47,960
\nYahweh.
\nAnd they brought, and they <\/p>\n
307
\n00:20:47,960 –> 00:20:51,360
\nbrought offerings, that they
\nmight make a sacrifice of <\/p>\n
308
\n00:20:51,360 –> 00:20:55,760
\natonement for the nation, and
\nnot for Judah only, because <\/p>\n
309
\n00:20:56,200 –> 00:21:01,560
\nverse 24 tells us that the
\npriests killed them, and they <\/p>\n
310
\n00:21:01,560 –> 00:21:04,880
\nmade reconciliation with their
\nblood upon the altar to make an <\/p>\n
311
\n00:21:04,880 –> 00:21:10,600
\natonement for all Israel.
\nFor the king commanded that the <\/p>\n
312
\n00:21:10,600 –> 00:21:15,080
\nsin offering should be made for
\nall Israel. <\/p>\n
313
\n00:21:15,080 –> 00:21:18,560
\nYou see, Heather Car intended
\nnot just to revive Judah, <\/p>\n
314
\n00:21:18,560 –> 00:21:21,160
\nbrothers and sisters, He wanted
\nto bring the whole nation back <\/p>\n
315
\n00:21:21,280 –> 00:21:23,880
\nto the things of the worship of
\nthe Father. <\/p>\n
316
\n00:21:23,960 –> 00:21:27,360
\nHe had great ambitions, did this
\nking for the greatest good of <\/p>\n
317
\n00:21:27,360 –> 00:21:29,520
\nthe nation.
\nAnd so now there is this <\/p>\n
318
\n00:21:29,640 –> 00:21:34,360
\nsacrifice of atonement made.
\nAnd having made atonement, we’re<\/p>\n
319
\n00:21:34,360 –> 00:21:39,040
\nnow told of the celebrations
\nthat were set forth in the House<\/p>\n
320
\n00:21:39,040 –> 00:21:43,360
\nof God.
\nAnd verse 25 to verse 29 tells <\/p>\n
321
\n00:21:43,360 –> 00:21:48,840
\nus what happened.
\nHe set the Levites in the House <\/p>\n
322
\n00:21:48,840 –> 00:21:54,200
\nof Yahweh with symbols, with
\npsalteries, and with harps, <\/p>\n
323
\n00:21:55,000 –> 00:21:59,320
\naccording to the commandment of
\nDavid and of Gad the King’s <\/p>\n
324
\n00:21:59,320 –> 00:22:03,600
\nseer, and Nathan the prophet.
\nFor so was the commandment of <\/p>\n
325
\n00:22:03,600 –> 00:22:07,080
\nYahweh by his prophets.
\nAnd the Levites stood with the <\/p>\n
326
\n00:22:07,080 –> 00:22:09,760
\ninstruments of David, and the
\npriests with the trumpets. <\/p>\n
327
\n00:22:10,400 –> 00:22:13,160
\nAnd Hezekiah commanded to offer
\nthe burnt offering upon the <\/p>\n
328
\n00:22:13,160 –> 00:22:14,800
\naltar.
\nAnd when the burnt offering <\/p>\n
329
\n00:22:14,800 –> 00:22:18,920
\nbegan, the song of Yahweh began
\nalso with the trumpets and with <\/p>\n
330
\n00:22:18,920 –> 00:22:21,720
\nthe instruments ordained by
\nDavid, king of Israel. <\/p>\n
331
\n00:22:22,400 –> 00:22:25,280
\nAnd all the congregation
\nworshipped, and the singers sang<\/p>\n
332
\n00:22:25,480 –> 00:22:29,120
\nand the trumpeters sounded.
\nAnd all this continued until the<\/p>\n
333
\n00:22:29,120 –> 00:22:32,240
\nburnt offering was finished.
\nAnd when they had made an end of<\/p>\n
334
\n00:22:32,240 –> 00:22:35,880
\noffering, the king and all that
\nwere present with them bowed <\/p>\n
335
\n00:22:35,880 –> 00:22:40,680
\nthemselves and worshipped.
\nNow notice the order, brothers <\/p>\n
336
\n00:22:40,680 –> 00:22:43,640
\nand sisters, notice the
\ntremendous spirit of this order.<\/p>\n
337
\n00:22:43,640 –> 00:22:47,800
\nYou see, what we’re told here is
\nfirst there is the offering of <\/p>\n
338
\n00:22:47,800 –> 00:22:55,680
\natonement verses 21 to 24, and
\nthen the song of the Lord verses<\/p>\n
339
\n00:22:55,680 –> 00:22:58,640
\n25 to 28.
\nAnd isn’t there a marvellous <\/p>\n
340
\n00:22:58,640 –> 00:23:02,880
\nlesson in that order of events
\nthat took place on this day? <\/p>\n
341
\n00:23:02,880 –> 00:23:08,240
\nBecause you see, only a person
\nwho knows the blessing of <\/p>\n
342
\n00:23:08,240 –> 00:23:15,800
\nforgiveness can truly sing from
\nthe heart God’s praise in <\/p>\n
343
\n00:23:15,800 –> 00:23:20,800
\nfullness.
\nSo forgiveness first, and then <\/p>\n
344
\n00:23:20,800 –> 00:23:24,360
\nthe song of praise that came
\nfrom grateful hearts <\/p>\n
345
\n00:23:24,360 –> 00:23:26,760
\nsubsequently.
\nYou know, I think that there are<\/p>\n
346
\n00:23:26,760 –> 00:23:31,240
\ntwo big questions about the
\nsongs that were sung this day by<\/p>\n
347
\n00:23:31,240 –> 00:23:36,000
\nthe House of Asaph. 2 obvious
\nquestions that I think emerged <\/p>\n
348
\n00:23:36,000 –> 00:23:40,600
\nfrom this record.
\nNow the first question is how <\/p>\n
349
\n00:23:40,600 –> 00:23:47,720
\nlong did they sing for?
\nWell, it seems, says verse 27, <\/p>\n
350
\n00:23:48,440 –> 00:23:53,840
\nthat the singers began when the
\nburnt offering began to be <\/p>\n
351
\n00:23:53,840 –> 00:23:58,280
\noffered.
\nAnd verse 28 says that they <\/p>\n
352
\n00:23:58,280 –> 00:24:02,640
\ncontinued until the burnt
\noffering was consumed. <\/p>\n
353
\n00:24:06,600 –> 00:24:11,520
\nNow normally, at the very least,
\nin such a burnt offering as <\/p>\n
354
\n00:24:11,520 –> 00:24:16,320
\nwould represent the nation,
\nthere would be as a minimum the <\/p>\n
355
\n00:24:16,320 –> 00:24:19,280
\noffering of a Bullock.
\nAccording to Leviticus chapter <\/p>\n
356
\n00:24:19,280 –> 00:24:27,160
\n1.
\nHow long does it take to burn a <\/p>\n
357
\n00:24:27,160 –> 00:24:30,960
\nBullock to ashes?
\nAny idea? <\/p>\n
358
\n00:24:33,240 –> 00:24:39,480
\n30 minutes, An hour?
\nSeveral hours to reduce the <\/p>\n
359
\n00:24:39,480 –> 00:24:44,360
\nwhole animal to ashes, so that
\nthe smoke of dedication might <\/p>\n
360
\n00:24:44,360 –> 00:24:48,560
\nascend to the father.
\nWell, during that time, says the<\/p>\n
361
\n00:24:48,560 –> 00:24:55,080
\nsecond of Chronicles 29, these
\nsingers sang their song with all<\/p>\n
362
\n00:24:55,080 –> 00:25:01,120
\ntheir words from memory.
\nHow did they do that? <\/p>\n
363
\n00:25:04,280 –> 00:25:08,560
\nAnd as the burnt offering was
\noffered, this family sang their <\/p>\n
364
\n00:25:08,560 –> 00:25:11,440
\nsong because that was their
\nburnt offering to the Father. <\/p>\n
365
\n00:25:13,320 –> 00:25:17,080
\nAnd here’s the second question.
\nNow you see what we’re told <\/p>\n
366
\n00:25:17,080 –> 00:25:20,440
\nverse 17.
\nIt only took 16 days to cleanse <\/p>\n
367
\n00:25:20,440 –> 00:25:23,720
\nthe temple.
\nThe very next day, Hezekiah had <\/p>\n
368
\n00:25:23,720 –> 00:25:27,000
\nthese offerings organized and
\nhad these singers ready in the <\/p>\n
369
\n00:25:27,000 –> 00:25:28,800
\ntemple of God to sing.
\nIn fact, if you come to the very<\/p>\n
370
\n00:25:28,800 –> 00:25:33,560
\nlast verse of the chapter, we’re
\ntold in verse 36 of the Second <\/p>\n
371
\n00:25:33,560 –> 00:25:36,600
\nof Chronicles 30.
\nAnd Hezekiah rejoiced, and all <\/p>\n
372
\n00:25:36,600 –> 00:25:40,160
\nthe people that God that
\nprepared the people for the <\/p>\n
373
\n00:25:40,160 –> 00:25:45,080
\nthing was done suddenly.
\nNow just stop and think about <\/p>\n
374
\n00:25:45,080 –> 00:25:48,600
\nthis.
\nIn one single fortnight, <\/p>\n
375
\n00:25:48,600 –> 00:25:52,440
\nbrothers and sisters, these
\nsingers were asked to sing by <\/p>\n
376
\n00:25:52,440 –> 00:25:55,440
\nHezekiah and to be there on that
\nday when the temple was <\/p>\n
377
\n00:25:55,440 –> 00:25:58,000
\ncleansed.
\nAnd they stood up and they sung,<\/p>\n
378
\n00:25:58,120 –> 00:26:00,520
\nand they played their
\ninstruments perfectly. <\/p>\n
379
\n00:26:00,680 –> 00:26:05,320
\nThe moment Hezekiah asked them
\nHow did they do that after two <\/p>\n
380
\n00:26:05,320 –> 00:26:13,880
\nweeks, given that there had been
\nabsolute apostasy prior to this,<\/p>\n
381
\n00:26:13,960 –> 00:26:20,440
\nin the days of Ahaz and earlier.
\nAnd yet when Hezekiah said I <\/p>\n
382
\n00:26:20,440 –> 00:26:24,560
\nwant you there to sing on that
\nday, they were there just like <\/p>\n
383
\n00:26:24,560 –> 00:26:27,720
\nthat.
\nSo how did they do it? <\/p>\n
384
\n00:26:30,000 –> 00:26:34,640
\nAnd the answer can only be,
\nbrothers and sisters, that even <\/p>\n
385
\n00:26:34,640 –> 00:26:40,880
\nin those times of apostasy, this
\nfamily had practiced their songs<\/p>\n
386
\n00:26:42,080 –> 00:26:46,520
\nand practiced their instruments.
\nThey were barred from the <\/p>\n
387
\n00:26:46,520 –> 00:26:49,640
\ntemple, but they trained in
\nsecret. <\/p>\n
388
\n00:26:51,320 –> 00:26:55,200
\nThey were determined never to
\nlose their faith or to forfeit <\/p>\n
389
\n00:26:55,200 –> 00:26:59,320
\ntheir responsibilities to the
\nnation, so that whenever they <\/p>\n
390
\n00:26:59,320 –> 00:27:01,480
\nwere needed, they were
\nimmediately ready. <\/p>\n
391
\n00:27:01,680 –> 00:27:05,360
\nReady to sing without floor,
\nready to sing without mistake, <\/p>\n
392
\n00:27:05,520 –> 00:27:07,800
\nready to sing without
\nhesitation. <\/p>\n
393
\n00:27:07,920 –> 00:27:10,600
\nYou know what’s unutterably sad,
\nI think about the story, <\/p>\n
394
\n00:27:10,600 –> 00:27:13,800
\nbrothers and sisters, is that
\nsome of this family of the House<\/p>\n
395
\n00:27:13,800 –> 00:27:19,640
\nof Asaph may have practiced all
\ntheir life and never once had <\/p>\n
396
\n00:27:19,640 –> 00:27:22,440
\nthe chance to sing before the
\nark of God. <\/p>\n
397
\n00:27:26,200 –> 00:27:34,600
\nNever once, but they practiced
\nfather to son, son to grandson, <\/p>\n
398
\n00:27:36,600 –> 00:27:41,160
\nso that when the day might come
\nthat a good king would arise, <\/p>\n
399
\n00:27:42,920 –> 00:27:47,400
\nthis family would always be
\nthere, ready to sing their <\/p>\n
400
\n00:27:47,400 –> 00:27:52,040
\nsongs.
\nAnd what this family believed <\/p>\n
401
\n00:27:52,040 –> 00:27:57,840
\nwas that even their daily
\npractice was in itself an <\/p>\n
402
\n00:27:57,840 –> 00:27:59,520
\noffering of praise to the
\nFather. <\/p>\n
403
\n00:28:01,560 –> 00:28:05,440
\nAll that we might learn, the
\nspirit brothers and sisters of <\/p>\n
404
\n00:28:05,440 –> 00:28:08,760
\nthis particular family.
\nNow this episode in the Second <\/p>\n
405
\n00:28:08,760 –> 00:28:14,920
\nof Chronicles chapter 29 is BC
\n715. <\/p>\n
406
\n00:28:16,480 –> 00:28:24,000
\nSo that’s 120 years after the
\ncoronation of Joash in the <\/p>\n
407
\n00:28:24,000 –> 00:28:31,160
\nSecond of Chronicles Chapter 23.
\nThis is 120 years after the <\/p>\n
408
\n00:28:31,160 –> 00:28:35,760
\ncoronation of Joash in the
\nSecond of Chronicles chapter 23.<\/p>\n
409
\n00:28:35,760 –> 00:28:40,120
\nSo those who are singing of the
\nHouse of Asaph on the occasion <\/p>\n
410
\n00:28:40,240 –> 00:28:45,160
\nof this celebration of Hezekiah
\nwould be the great grandsons of <\/p>\n
411
\n00:28:45,160 –> 00:28:47,600
\nthose who stood up when Jehoiada
\nasked them. <\/p>\n
412
\n00:28:47,800 –> 00:28:51,840
\nWonderful family.
\nThis is 4 generations later in <\/p>\n
413
\n00:28:51,840 –> 00:28:54,200
\nthe same family.
\nHave they lost any of their <\/p>\n
414
\n00:28:54,200 –> 00:28:57,160
\nspirit?
\nNo, I think not. <\/p>\n
415
\n00:28:57,400 –> 00:28:59,880
\nYou see, the great lesson that
\nwe’re going to look at today, <\/p>\n
416
\n00:28:59,880 –> 00:29:03,200
\nbrothers and sisters, in terms
\nof, of the benchmark standard of<\/p>\n
417
\n00:29:03,200 –> 00:29:05,960
\nthe, of this house is this,
\nremember that we’ve, we’ve <\/p>\n
418
\n00:29:05,960 –> 00:29:08,360
\nalready looked at several of
\nthese as we’ve come down through<\/p>\n
419
\n00:29:08,360 –> 00:29:10,280
\nthe list.
\nWe’ve looked at the matter of <\/p>\n
420
\n00:29:10,280 –> 00:29:14,360
\nthe supremacy of God, their
\nsolemnity of worship, their <\/p>\n
421
\n00:29:14,360 –> 00:29:17,720
\npreeminence of principle.
\nWell, this morning we want to <\/p>\n
422
\n00:29:17,720 –> 00:29:22,240
\ndwell for a few moments on the
\nprinciple of the excellence of <\/p>\n
423
\n00:29:22,240 –> 00:29:27,000
\nendeavour that this family stood
\nfor, the principle of the <\/p>\n
424
\n00:29:27,080 –> 00:29:32,760
\nexcellence of endeavour in all
\nthat they did and in all their <\/p>\n
425
\n00:29:32,760 –> 00:29:34,640
\nsinging.
\nNow, I’d like you to come back <\/p>\n
426
\n00:29:34,640 –> 00:29:38,280
\nto the first of Chronicles,
\nChapter 25, because the <\/p>\n
427
\n00:29:38,280 –> 00:29:42,920
\nbenchmark of how this family
\npractised was really set there <\/p>\n
428
\n00:29:43,160 –> 00:29:44,880
\nat the time of their
\nappointment. <\/p>\n
429
\n00:29:45,240 –> 00:29:53,600
\nThis is what we’re told.
\nIn the first of Chronicles <\/p>\n
430
\n00:29:53,600 –> 00:29:56,920
\nchapter 25.
\nNow here’s the the story now in <\/p>\n
431
\n00:29:56,920 –> 00:30:01,200
\na little more detail of exactly
\nwhat did happen concerning the <\/p>\n
432
\n00:30:01,200 –> 00:30:06,120
\npracticing of this family.
\nIt says in verse 1 David and the<\/p>\n
433
\n00:30:06,120 –> 00:30:10,000
\ncaptains of the hosts separated
\nto the service of the sons of <\/p>\n
434
\n00:30:10,000 –> 00:30:15,960
\nAsaph of Heman and of Judithan,
\nwho should prophecy with harps <\/p>\n
435
\n00:30:15,960 –> 00:30:19,920
\nand psalteries and with symbols.
\nAnd the number of the workmen <\/p>\n
436
\n00:30:19,920 –> 00:30:23,720
\naccording to their service was.
\nAnd now it’s going to outline <\/p>\n
437
\n00:30:23,720 –> 00:30:27,040
\nfor us the details of the 24
\ncourses. <\/p>\n
438
\n00:30:27,320 –> 00:30:31,600
\nAnd we’re told in verse 2 that
\nthere were four courses for the <\/p>\n
439
\n00:30:31,600 –> 00:30:36,240
\nHouse of ASA.
\nWe’re told in verse three that <\/p>\n
440
\n00:30:36,240 –> 00:30:39,840
\nthere were six courses of the
\nHouse of Jedothan. <\/p>\n
441
\n00:30:40,480 –> 00:30:45,960
\nAnd we’re told in verses four
\nand five that there were 14 <\/p>\n
442
\n00:30:45,960 –> 00:30:51,480
\ncourses of the House of Heman.
\nSo here’s the make up then of <\/p>\n
443
\n00:30:51,480 –> 00:30:57,040
\nthe 24 courses as they’re drawn
\nfrom these different families. 4<\/p>\n
444
\n00:30:57,040 –> 00:31:02,960
\nfrom Asaph, verse 26 from
\nJuduth, and verse 3 and 14 from <\/p>\n
445
\n00:31:02,960 –> 00:31:06,400
\nHaman in verses four and five.
\nAnd I believe that what <\/p>\n
446
\n00:31:06,400 –> 00:31:09,080
\nhappened, you see, is that each
\nfamily practiced together, <\/p>\n
447
\n00:31:09,080 –> 00:31:14,360
\nfirstly in their family groups.
\nSo those of Asaph would practice<\/p>\n
448
\n00:31:14,360 –> 00:31:17,640
\ntogether under the tutelage and
\nunder the control of their <\/p>\n
449
\n00:31:17,640 –> 00:31:23,160
\nfather, and those of of Jedusan
\nwould would come together under <\/p>\n
450
\n00:31:23,160 –> 00:31:27,920
\nthe hands of Jedusan, their
\nfather, and those of the House <\/p>\n
451
\n00:31:27,920 –> 00:31:31,520
\nof Heman would practice together
\nin the first instance within the<\/p>\n
452
\n00:31:31,520 –> 00:31:36,280
\nHouse of Heman.
\nNow, you know, brothers and <\/p>\n
453
\n00:31:36,280 –> 00:31:39,920
\nsisters, if you came to the
\nHouse of Lewis and you walked <\/p>\n
454
\n00:31:39,920 –> 00:31:42,920
\ninto my house, you would
\nprobably hear the following on <\/p>\n
455
\n00:31:42,920 –> 00:31:47,040
\nmost days of the week in one
\nroom. <\/p>\n
456
\n00:31:47,040 –> 00:31:50,080
\nYou would probably hear
\nRachmaninoff’s Second Piano <\/p>\n
457
\n00:31:50,080 –> 00:31:55,360
\nConcerto being played by CD,
\npreferably by ever Guinea Kissen<\/p>\n
458
\n00:31:55,360 –> 00:31:57,760
\nor or some other some other such
\nnotable. <\/p>\n
459
\n00:31:57,760 –> 00:32:01,920
\nThat’s probably my study because
\ngenerally when I’m at the at the<\/p>\n
460
\n00:32:01,920 –> 00:32:04,840
\nheight of writing something down
\nand I think I’ve got it right, I<\/p>\n
461
\n00:32:04,840 –> 00:32:07,160
\nwould generally play
\nRachmaninoff at that crucial <\/p>\n
462
\n00:32:07,160 –> 00:32:09,480
\nmoment.
\nSometimes Brahms, sometimes <\/p>\n
463
\n00:32:09,480 –> 00:32:12,080
\nSchubert, but definitely
\nRachmaninoff at the height of <\/p>\n
464
\n00:32:12,080 –> 00:32:15,200
\ngetting it all down.
\nSo that would be my study. <\/p>\n
465
\n00:32:16,000 –> 00:32:18,840
\nIn another room you will hear
\nthe cello playing, probably <\/p>\n
466
\n00:32:18,840 –> 00:32:22,360
\nsomething by Elgar.
\nThat would be my daughter <\/p>\n
467
\n00:32:22,600 –> 00:32:25,160
\npracticing for her next
\nexamination. <\/p>\n
468
\n00:32:26,160 –> 00:32:29,200
\nIn another room you’ll probably
\nhear the Trumpet Concerto. <\/p>\n
469
\n00:32:29,280 –> 00:32:33,680
\nConcerto by Hummel.
\nThat’s my 14 year old son who’s <\/p>\n
470
\n00:32:33,680 –> 00:32:36,200
\nstruggling at the moment because
\nhe has braces on his teeth, but <\/p>\n
471
\n00:32:36,200 –> 00:32:39,400
\nhe’s determined to learn that
\ntrumpet nevertheless if he <\/p>\n
472
\n00:32:39,400 –> 00:32:42,040
\npossibly can.
\nIn another room you’ll hear the <\/p>\n
473
\n00:32:42,040 –> 00:32:44,880
\npiano being played for another
\nexamination. <\/p>\n
474
\n00:32:44,960 –> 00:32:48,480
\nAnd that’s my 11 year old son.
\nIn another room you’ll hear <\/p>\n
475
\n00:32:48,480 –> 00:32:52,080
\nsomething being played, probably
\nby my wife in the kitchen. <\/p>\n
476
\n00:32:52,240 –> 00:32:56,240
\nAnd you’ll hear this glorious
\nadmixture of sound right through<\/p>\n
477
\n00:32:56,240 –> 00:32:59,440
\nthe House of Lewis.
\nNow if you think that that’s <\/p>\n
478
\n00:32:59,440 –> 00:33:02,680
\nbad, brothers and sisters, Can
\nyou imagine verses four and <\/p>\n
479
\n00:33:02,680 –> 00:33:06,200
\nfive, what it must have been
\nlike in the House of Heman when <\/p>\n
480
\n00:33:06,200 –> 00:33:10,000
\nfourteen sons all got together
\nwith their musical instruments, <\/p>\n
481
\n00:33:10,000 –> 00:33:12,920
\nthat they might do their
\npractice every day as Dad <\/p>\n
482
\n00:33:12,920 –> 00:33:16,320
\nrequired.
\nAnd having got all the families <\/p>\n
483
\n00:33:16,320 –> 00:33:19,120
\ntogether, I think that what then
\nhappened is this. <\/p>\n
484
\n00:33:19,240 –> 00:33:24,480
\nWe’re told in verse 6, all these
\nwere under the hands of their <\/p>\n
485
\n00:33:24,480 –> 00:33:27,840
\nfather for song in the House of
\nYahweh. <\/p>\n
486
\n00:33:28,080 –> 00:33:31,320
\nAnd on the occasion of verse 6,
\nI believe that the father <\/p>\n
487
\n00:33:31,320 –> 00:33:36,560
\nreferred to is Asaph himself as
\nthe chief musician of the whole <\/p>\n
488
\n00:33:36,560 –> 00:33:39,280
\nlot.
\nSo now having practiced in their<\/p>\n
489
\n00:33:39,280 –> 00:33:43,160
\nfamily groups, they were brought
\ntogether under the watchful eye <\/p>\n
490
\n00:33:43,320 –> 00:33:47,480
\nof Father Asaph himself.
\nAll the family practices now <\/p>\n
491
\n00:33:47,480 –> 00:33:51,120
\nfinished, now they’re brought
\ninto the temple compound that <\/p>\n
492
\n00:33:51,120 –> 00:33:53,400
\nthey might practice under the
\nchief conductor. <\/p>\n
493
\n00:33:53,680 –> 00:33:57,480
\nAnd woe betide the boy who
\nplucked a wrong note on their <\/p>\n
494
\n00:33:57,480 –> 00:34:02,400
\npsaltery, who or who lost their
\nwords in a Psalm because Asaph <\/p>\n
495
\n00:34:02,600 –> 00:34:07,320
\nwanted it to be just perfect.
\nBecause this was the song of the<\/p>\n
496
\n00:34:07,320 –> 00:34:10,800
\nLord.
\nAnd they learned 4 things these <\/p>\n
497
\n00:34:10,800 –> 00:34:14,080
\nboys.
\nThey learned firstly how to play<\/p>\n
498
\n00:34:14,080 –> 00:34:17,719
\ntheir instrument.
\nThey learned secondly how to <\/p>\n
499
\n00:34:17,719 –> 00:34:21,719
\nsing the song.
\nThey learned, thirdly, how to <\/p>\n
500
\n00:34:21,719 –> 00:34:26,080
\nmemorize the words, and they
\nlearned, fourthly, how to <\/p>\n
501
\n00:34:26,120 –> 00:34:29,560
\nunderstand the principles behind
\nthe words. <\/p>\n
502
\n00:34:29,719 –> 00:34:33,560
\nAnd only when they had those
\nfour things perfect did Father <\/p>\n
503
\n00:34:33,560 –> 00:34:38,280
\nAsaph consider that they might
\nbe ready for the songs of <\/p>\n
504
\n00:34:38,280 –> 00:34:41,880
\nworship in the temple of God,
\nbecause this man demanded the <\/p>\n
505
\n00:34:41,880 –> 00:34:47,080
\nexcellence of endeavour in all
\nthat he organized as far as this<\/p>\n
506
\n00:34:47,080 –> 00:34:50,400
\nfamily was concerned.
\nSo when it says in verse seven <\/p>\n
507
\n00:34:50,520 –> 00:34:55,960
\nthat they were instructed in the
\nsongs and they were coming, in <\/p>\n
508
\n00:34:55,960 –> 00:34:58,560
\nfact, one of those words, I
\nthink it’s the word instructed. <\/p>\n
509
\n00:34:58,720 –> 00:35:01,480
\nIt’s actually the Hebrew word
\nfor goad. <\/p>\n
510
\n00:35:03,600 –> 00:35:07,320
\nAnd guess who held the goad?
\nYou know what a goad is? <\/p>\n
511
\n00:35:07,320 –> 00:35:10,320
\nGOAD.
\nIt’s what we would call an ox <\/p>\n
512
\n00:35:10,440 –> 00:35:16,560
\nprod and it was used to
\nencourage in the right <\/p>\n
513
\n00:35:16,560 –> 00:35:21,160
\ndirection.
\nAnd Father Asaph no doubt held <\/p>\n
514
\n00:35:21,160 –> 00:35:25,120
\nthat in order order, they might
\ngive the odd piece of <\/p>\n
515
\n00:35:25,120 –> 00:35:27,000
\nencouragement wherever
\nnecessary. <\/p>\n
516
\n00:35:27,000 –> 00:35:30,160
\nSo they weren’t instructed and
\ncunning by accident, brothers <\/p>\n
517
\n00:35:30,160 –> 00:35:32,840
\nand sisters.
\nThey were instructed and cunning<\/p>\n
518
\n00:35:32,960 –> 00:35:36,480
\nbecause of the spirit of
\nendeavour that whatever they <\/p>\n
519
\n00:35:36,480 –> 00:35:38,720
\nwould do, they would do their
\nvery best for the sake of the <\/p>\n
520
\n00:35:38,720 –> 00:35:41,320
\ntruth in being ready to sing
\nthese songs. <\/p>\n
521
\n00:35:41,560 –> 00:35:47,200
\nNow, by the way, 288 members,
\nverse 7, split into 24 courses, <\/p>\n
522
\n00:35:47,200 –> 00:35:52,320
\ntells us that there were 12
\nmembers in each of these 24 <\/p>\n
523
\n00:35:52,320 –> 00:35:55,200
\ncourses.
\nSo each course was led by one of<\/p>\n
524
\n00:35:55,200 –> 00:36:00,360
\nthese sons, but there were 12
\nmembers in each course, which <\/p>\n
525
\n00:36:00,360 –> 00:36:05,520
\nmade-up the total of the 288
\nmentioned in the seventh verse. <\/p>\n
526
\n00:36:05,720 –> 00:36:08,280
\nThe excellence of endeavour,
\nbrothers and sisters. <\/p>\n
527
\n00:36:08,280 –> 00:36:10,640
\nThis family stood for that
\nprinciple. <\/p>\n
528
\n00:36:10,880 –> 00:36:13,480
\nCan we have a look at the First
\nof Chronicles Chapter 9? <\/p>\n
529
\n00:36:14,160 –> 00:36:19,360
\nIn the First of Chronicles
\nChapter 9, we’re told this verse<\/p>\n
530
\n00:36:19,360 –> 00:36:34,010
\n33.
\nAnd these are the singers, chief<\/p>\n
531
\n00:36:34,010 –> 00:36:38,530
\nof the Fathers of the Levites,
\nwho remaining in the chambers <\/p>\n
532
\n00:36:38,530 –> 00:36:43,520
\nwere free, for they were
\nemployed in that work day and <\/p>\n
533
\n00:36:43,520 –> 00:36:45,200
\nnight.
\nYou know that Justinius <\/p>\n
534
\n00:36:45,200 –> 00:36:49,280
\ntranslates the word free there
\nin the 33rd verse. <\/p>\n
535
\n00:36:49,280 –> 00:36:55,520
\nJustinius says it means that
\nthey were exempt from duty. <\/p>\n
536
\n00:36:57,320 –> 00:37:00,480
\nAnd obviously what it’s telling
\nus is that these who were the <\/p>\n
537
\n00:37:00,480 –> 00:37:05,640
\nsingers, were relieved of any
\nother duties in the temple. <\/p>\n
538
\n00:37:07,040 –> 00:37:10,880
\nBut whilst they were on temple
\nservice, they had <\/p>\n
539
\n00:37:10,880 –> 00:37:14,960
\nresponsibility, as the verse
\nsays, to sing every day and <\/p>\n
540
\n00:37:14,960 –> 00:37:18,600
\nevery night.
\nBut you wouldn’t want to think <\/p>\n
541
\n00:37:18,600 –> 00:37:20,800
\nfor a moment, brothers and
\nsisters, that when the verse <\/p>\n
542
\n00:37:20,800 –> 00:37:23,680
\nsays that they were free, that
\nit meant that they were really <\/p>\n
543
\n00:37:23,680 –> 00:37:25,880
\nfree.
\nBecause as far as Asaf was <\/p>\n
544
\n00:37:25,880 –> 00:37:28,040
\nconcerned, that meant that when
\nthey weren’t singing in the <\/p>\n
545
\n00:37:28,040 –> 00:37:33,120
\ntemple, they were free to do
\nsome more practice because that <\/p>\n
546
\n00:37:33,120 –> 00:37:36,320
\nwas the spirit of this family.
\nThey never ever gave up as as <\/p>\n
547
\n00:37:36,320 –> 00:37:40,240
\nfar as that diligence of
\npreparation was concerned. <\/p>\n
548
\n00:37:41,600 –> 00:37:45,320
\nIn the Second of Chronicles
\nchapter 34 in the days of <\/p>\n
549
\n00:37:45,320 –> 00:37:49,320
\nJosiah, we’re told this at the
\ntime that they went about the <\/p>\n
550
\n00:37:49,320 –> 00:37:53,880
\nrepairing of the temple.
\nSecond of Chronicles chapter 34 <\/p>\n
551
\n00:37:54,240 –> 00:38:09,280
\nand reading verse 12.
\nAnd the men did the work <\/p>\n
552
\n00:38:09,280 –> 00:38:15,400
\nfaithfully, and the overseers of
\nthem were Jar Hath and Obadiah, <\/p>\n
553
\n00:38:15,400 –> 00:38:20,480
\nthe Levites of the sons of
\nMurari and Zechariah, and <\/p>\n
554
\n00:38:20,480 –> 00:38:24,440
\nMusulum of the sons of the
\ncaliphates, to set it forward, <\/p>\n
555
\n00:38:26,000 –> 00:38:33,600
\nand other of the Levites that
\ncould skill of instruments of <\/p>\n
556
\n00:38:33,600 –> 00:38:37,680
\nmusic.
\nThey also were over the bearers <\/p>\n
557
\n00:38:38,160 –> 00:38:42,440
\nof the burdens.
\nNow who were these other Levites<\/p>\n
558
\n00:38:42,440 –> 00:38:45,520
\nat the end of verse 12?
\nAnd I think the answer is that <\/p>\n
559
\n00:38:45,520 –> 00:38:49,560
\nsince those of Mararai and
\nKohath have already been <\/p>\n
560
\n00:38:49,560 –> 00:38:53,480
\nmentioned, and yet they are
\nsingers with instruments, that <\/p>\n
561
\n00:38:53,480 –> 00:38:56,280
\nthey can be none other than the
\nHouse of Asaph, which is the <\/p>\n
562
\n00:38:56,280 –> 00:38:59,560
\nonly other division of the
\nsingers not yet mentioned in <\/p>\n
563
\n00:38:59,560 –> 00:39:02,880
\nthis particular text.
\nSo what we’re being told here is<\/p>\n
564
\n00:39:02,880 –> 00:39:08,400
\nthat the singers were put in
\ncharge of the reconstruction of <\/p>\n
565
\n00:39:08,400 –> 00:39:10,560
\nthe temple.
\nNow what do they know about <\/p>\n
566
\n00:39:10,600 –> 00:39:14,400
\nbuilding?
\nWell, they probably didn’t know <\/p>\n
567
\n00:39:14,400 –> 00:39:19,880
\nall that much.
\nSo why did Josiah put the sons <\/p>\n
568
\n00:39:19,880 –> 00:39:25,920
\nof Asaph in charge of the
\nbuilding of the temple amongst <\/p>\n
569
\n00:39:25,920 –> 00:39:29,600
\nthe Levites that could skill of
\ninstruments of music? <\/p>\n
570
\n00:39:29,760 –> 00:39:32,880
\nAnd the answer is, brothers and
\nsisters, that their spirit of <\/p>\n
571
\n00:39:32,880 –> 00:39:37,440
\nexcellence in music qualified
\nthem for other spiritual <\/p>\n
572
\n00:39:37,440 –> 00:39:42,440
\nresponsibilities where likewise
\nthe excellence of endeavour was <\/p>\n
573
\n00:39:42,440 –> 00:39:44,320
\nneeded.
\nAnd this family would leave <\/p>\n
574
\n00:39:44,320 –> 00:39:46,200
\nnothing to chance.
\nEven in the building of the <\/p>\n
575
\n00:39:46,200 –> 00:39:47,840
\ntemple.
\nEverything will be done. <\/p>\n
576
\n00:39:47,840 –> 00:39:51,240
\nJust so Josiah says.
\nI’ll put the singers in charge <\/p>\n
577
\n00:39:53,440 –> 00:39:55,520
\nbecause I know their standard of
\nexcellence. <\/p>\n
578
\n00:39:56,200 –> 00:39:59,880
\nEverything will be done as it
\nshould be done. <\/p>\n
579
\n00:40:02,120 –> 00:40:05,200
\nThe excellence of endeavour.
\nYou know, brothers and sisters, <\/p>\n
580
\n00:40:05,200 –> 00:40:09,600
\nI believe that as a general
\nprinciple, as a general trend, <\/p>\n
581
\n00:40:09,960 –> 00:40:12,280
\nthere has been a movement away
\nfrom. <\/p>\n
582
\n00:40:12,800 –> 00:40:17,080
\nDriving for excellence in many
\nfields of endeavour in life and <\/p>\n
583
\n00:40:17,080 –> 00:40:19,880
\namongst those is the matter of
\nmusic. <\/p>\n
584
\n00:40:20,920 –> 00:40:23,400
\nNow, I don’t know what it’s like
\nin in this part of the world. <\/p>\n
585
\n00:40:23,400 –> 00:40:25,920
\nSo I can freely speak in the
\nknowledge that truly I’m <\/p>\n
586
\n00:40:25,920 –> 00:40:28,880
\nignorant of, of what goes on in
\nAmerica and Canada. <\/p>\n
587
\n00:40:28,880 –> 00:40:31,960
\nBut what what I can tell you is
\nthat in our part of the world, <\/p>\n
588
\n00:40:32,160 –> 00:40:35,400
\nthere’s been a trend in recent
\ntimes, even in the brotherhood, <\/p>\n
589
\n00:40:35,400 –> 00:40:42,440
\ntowards what you might call easy
\nlistening, easy playing, easy <\/p>\n
590
\n00:40:42,440 –> 00:40:49,800
\nlearning, simple chords, simple
\nmelodies, simple words. <\/p>\n
591
\n00:40:50,920 –> 00:40:53,240
\nYou don’t want to go go in for
\nanything that might involve <\/p>\n
592
\n00:40:53,280 –> 00:40:55,680
\neffort because, well, that would
\nbe hard. <\/p>\n
593
\n00:40:57,120 –> 00:41:01,520
\nEasy is much better.
\nSomething that enables us to at <\/p>\n
594
\n00:41:01,520 –> 00:41:04,080
\nleast feel that we can play an
\ninstrument, but without any <\/p>\n
595
\n00:41:04,080 –> 00:41:05,640
\nparticular degree of
\napplication. <\/p>\n
596
\n00:41:05,640 –> 00:41:07,640
\nWell, well, that’s a good thing,
\nis it not? <\/p>\n
597
\n00:41:09,640 –> 00:41:13,120
\nNow you see, I think that even
\nlearning musical instruments, <\/p>\n
598
\n00:41:13,120 –> 00:41:15,400
\nwhich by the way I think is a
\nwonderful thing for <\/p>\n
599
\n00:41:15,400 –> 00:41:18,240
\nChristadelphian children to
\nlearn, but I think that the <\/p>\n
600
\n00:41:18,240 –> 00:41:22,480
\nprinciple of examinations is how
\nthey learn the discipline of <\/p>\n
601
\n00:41:22,480 –> 00:41:26,720
\nstriving for excellence and of
\nmastering the skills that they <\/p>\n
602
\n00:41:26,720 –> 00:41:29,640
\nwill really need if they’re
\ngoing to play good music. <\/p>\n
603
\n00:41:31,000 –> 00:41:33,160
\nI don’t know if you have
\nexaminations here, but in New <\/p>\n
604
\n00:41:33,160 –> 00:41:36,840
\nZealand we still have the good
\nold Royal Schools of London. <\/p>\n
605
\n00:41:37,040 –> 00:41:40,200
\nWe’re very patriotic really to
\nthe English in New Zealand <\/p>\n
606
\n00:41:40,200 –> 00:41:42,640
\nstill.
\nAnd so we have the Royal College<\/p>\n
607
\n00:41:42,640 –> 00:41:45,840
\nExaminers who still come out on
\nan annual basis to examine <\/p>\n
608
\n00:41:45,840 –> 00:41:47,680
\nchildren.
\nBut you see, it’s the way that <\/p>\n
609
\n00:41:47,680 –> 00:41:51,480
\nyou get to know how to play
\nthings and you learn your scales<\/p>\n
610
\n00:41:51,480 –> 00:41:54,480
\nand arpeggios, not for the sake
\nof learning scales and <\/p>\n
611
\n00:41:54,480 –> 00:41:57,880
\narpeggios, but so you can play
\nwonderful music because without <\/p>\n
612
\n00:41:57,880 –> 00:42:01,840
\nthose you never shall.
\nAnd I think it would be good if <\/p>\n
613
\n00:42:01,840 –> 00:42:05,040
\nwe provided opportunities in
\necclesial life for those <\/p>\n
614
\n00:42:05,040 –> 00:42:08,160
\nchildren that learn musical
\ninstruments to have the ability <\/p>\n
615
\n00:42:08,160 –> 00:42:12,160
\nto play in ecclesial life at
\nvarious occasions. <\/p>\n
616
\n00:42:12,440 –> 00:42:15,200
\nThere’s no substitute for
\nexcellence, brothers and <\/p>\n
617
\n00:42:15,200 –> 00:42:17,440
\nsisters, when it comes to
\nharmony. <\/p>\n
618
\n00:42:17,640 –> 00:42:19,960
\nGood harmony.
\nWell, it’s just good. <\/p>\n
619
\n00:42:19,960 –> 00:42:23,200
\nYou can tell it, it’s, it’s a,
\nit’s a wonderful thing. <\/p>\n
620
\n00:42:23,840 –> 00:42:27,840
\nYou feel the excellence of, of
\nthat harmonic structure. <\/p>\n
621
\n00:42:27,840 –> 00:42:32,160
\nAnd when harmony is not good and
\nit goes back to being very <\/p>\n
622
\n00:42:32,160 –> 00:42:36,360
\nsimple, what do you do to make
\nthe music more interesting? <\/p>\n
623
\n00:42:38,000 –> 00:42:43,840
\nWell, you increase the rhythm
\nand you accentuate the beat. <\/p>\n
624
\n00:42:45,520 –> 00:42:48,960
\nIt’s what you do when the
\nharmony itself is is somehow <\/p>\n
625
\n00:42:48,960 –> 00:42:53,080
\nlacking.
\nYou know that the focus of a <\/p>\n
626
\n00:42:53,080 –> 00:42:58,320
\nSymphony Orchestra is on the
\nconductor, as one conductor once<\/p>\n
627
\n00:42:58,320 –> 00:43:00,120
\nsaid, a very famous conductor,
\nhe said. <\/p>\n
628
\n00:43:00,120 –> 00:43:03,720
\nYou know, an orchestra is simply
\na collection of people who are <\/p>\n
629
\n00:43:03,720 –> 00:43:07,040
\nblowing, scraping, or banging
\nthings. <\/p>\n
630
\n00:43:08,720 –> 00:43:11,560
\nBut it’s when the conductor
\nstands up that it all finally <\/p>\n
631
\n00:43:11,560 –> 00:43:14,080
\ncomes together.
\nAnd when it does, what appeared <\/p>\n
632
\n00:43:14,080 –> 00:43:17,160
\nto be a cacophony of noise
\nsuddenly turns out to be a <\/p>\n
633
\n00:43:17,160 –> 00:43:21,840
\nglorious harmony of sound under
\nthe hands of the man who stands <\/p>\n
634
\n00:43:21,840 –> 00:43:24,760
\nat the front as the conductor or
\nthe chief musician. <\/p>\n
635
\n00:43:25,000 –> 00:43:26,960
\nYou know, if you’ve ever seen,
\nif you’ve never knew anything <\/p>\n
636
\n00:43:26,960 –> 00:43:30,320
\nabout art and, and someone
\nshowed you a stick figure, man, <\/p>\n
637
\n00:43:30,480 –> 00:43:32,240
\nyou’d probably think that’s
\nquite good. <\/p>\n
638
\n00:43:36,720 –> 00:43:41,360
\nBut once you’ve seen a
\nRembrandt, you don’t think stick<\/p>\n
639
\n00:43:41,360 –> 00:43:43,360
\nfigures are quite so good after
\nall. <\/p>\n
640
\n00:43:45,920 –> 00:43:47,600
\nWell, I think music’s like that
\ntoo. <\/p>\n
641
\n00:43:49,520 –> 00:43:52,400
\nI think there is a standard of
\nexcellence in music, but once <\/p>\n
642
\n00:43:52,400 –> 00:43:55,240
\nyou’ve discovered it and once
\nyou’ve found it, and once you’ve<\/p>\n
643
\n00:43:55,240 –> 00:43:57,640
\nunderstood it is, you’ll
\nappreciate that there is <\/p>\n
644
\n00:43:57,760 –> 00:44:01,080
\nsomething worth striving for.
\nYou know the very Best Song and <\/p>\n
645
\n00:44:01,080 –> 00:44:03,400
\npraise evenings.
\nAs our Sister Julie will tell <\/p>\n
646
\n00:44:03,400 –> 00:44:07,120
\nyou, the very Best Song and
\npraise evenings come after a <\/p>\n
647
\n00:44:07,120 –> 00:44:11,400
\ngreat deal of effort when
\nthere’s been practice, when <\/p>\n
648
\n00:44:11,400 –> 00:44:15,200
\nthere’s been earnest endeavour
\nto master the parts, to strive <\/p>\n
649
\n00:44:15,200 –> 00:44:18,160
\nfor excellence, to offer the
\nsacrifice of praise. <\/p>\n
650
\n00:44:18,280 –> 00:44:21,920
\nAnd yet The funny thing is that
\nthe more the choir tries and the<\/p>\n
651
\n00:44:21,920 –> 00:44:24,880
\nmore effort they put in,
\nprobably the higher they will <\/p>\n
652
\n00:44:24,880 –> 00:44:28,320
\nrise on the evening.
\nBecause somehow that chemistry <\/p>\n
653
\n00:44:28,320 –> 00:44:32,520
\nof effort linked to the final
\noffering of praise lifts us to a<\/p>\n
654
\n00:44:32,520 –> 00:44:35,960
\nhigher standard because of the
\nexcellence of endeavour that <\/p>\n
655
\n00:44:35,960 –> 00:44:39,880
\nwent in behind it.
\nDon’t ever let take second best <\/p>\n
656
\n00:44:39,880 –> 00:44:43,600
\nbrothers and sisters in our
\nsongs and in our music. <\/p>\n
657
\n00:44:43,600 –> 00:44:46,560
\nAnd, and just as with a song and
\npraise, I think so with our <\/p>\n
658
\n00:44:46,560 –> 00:44:49,560
\nhymns.
\nI think that our hymns, we ought<\/p>\n
659
\n00:44:49,560 –> 00:44:53,160
\nto have far greater focus on the
\nwords, on the meaning of the <\/p>\n
660
\n00:44:53,160 –> 00:44:56,560
\nwords, on the scriptural
\nbackground of the words, on the <\/p>\n
661
\n00:44:56,560 –> 00:44:59,720
\nvariance of tempo, on the change
\nof volume. <\/p>\n
662
\n00:44:59,840 –> 00:45:03,040
\nThat tells everyone that we
\nreally believe and that we <\/p>\n
663
\n00:45:03,040 –> 00:45:06,520
\nreally understand what we’re
\nsinging and that the hymns have <\/p>\n
664
\n00:45:06,520 –> 00:45:08,840
\nbecome a powerful adjunct to our
\nworst. <\/p>\n
665
\n00:45:09,360 –> 00:45:11,440
\nAnd their faith before Almighty
\nGod. <\/p>\n
666
\n00:45:11,440 –> 00:45:15,320
\nThe excellence of endeavour.
\nThis is what this particular <\/p>\n
667
\n00:45:15,320 –> 00:45:19,480
\nfamily stood for.
\nDavids own standard of <\/p>\n
668
\n00:45:19,480 –> 00:45:21,920
\nmusicianship was one of
\nexcellence. <\/p>\n
669
\n00:45:22,360 –> 00:45:26,320
\nA man that can play well and the
\ncoming player on a harp. <\/p>\n
670
\n00:45:26,840 –> 00:45:32,640
\nEpithet supplied to the king.
\nHis personal skill was such on <\/p>\n
671
\n00:45:32,640 –> 00:45:36,160
\nhis chosen instrument, and given
\nthat that was the case, he would<\/p>\n
672
\n00:45:36,160 –> 00:45:40,800
\ncertainly expect no less from
\nthose chosen to lead the songs <\/p>\n
673
\n00:45:40,800 –> 00:45:43,200
\nof Yahweh on behalf of all
\nIsrael. <\/p>\n
674
\n00:45:44,320 –> 00:45:47,720
\nThe instruments were intended to
\nhelp lift up the voice in <\/p>\n
675
\n00:45:47,720 –> 00:45:52,240
\npraise, and to do this they
\nneeded to be played with passion<\/p>\n
676
\n00:45:52,400 –> 00:45:56,160
\nand skill.
\nThere was no casual spirit in <\/p>\n
677
\n00:45:56,160 –> 00:46:00,200
\nthe House of Asaph to offer
\nthanks, and praise in the <\/p>\n
678
\n00:46:00,200 –> 00:46:04,520
\npresence of God demanded their
\nsupreme effort in reaching the <\/p>\n
679
\n00:46:04,520 –> 00:46:09,320
\nhighest standard of excellence.
\nTheir skill came only through <\/p>\n
680
\n00:46:09,320 –> 00:46:14,480
\npatient and incessant practice,
\nand sprang from a mutual spirit <\/p>\n
681
\n00:46:14,480 –> 00:46:17,440
\nof striving to give up their
\nvery best in praise. <\/p>\n
682
\n00:46:17,840 –> 00:46:22,680
\nThat they were finally both
\ninstructed and cunning is the <\/p>\n
683
\n00:46:22,680 –> 00:46:25,880
\nDivine testimony concerning
\ntheir efforts. <\/p>\n
684
\n00:46:26,040 –> 00:46:29,400
\nHow glorious it would be,
\nbrothers and sisters, if in all <\/p>\n
685
\n00:46:29,400 –> 00:46:32,720
\nour songs of worship to the
\nFather, we captured the spirit <\/p>\n
686
\n00:46:32,720 –> 00:46:36,600
\nof this family, ever ready to
\nsing, ever ready to play, <\/p>\n
687
\n00:46:36,800 –> 00:46:41,440
\nwithout mistake, without flaw,
\nwithout hesitation, as best as <\/p>\n
688
\n00:46:41,440 –> 00:46:44,200
\nthey could.
\nIn this present mortal life, let<\/p>\n
689
\n00:46:44,200 –> 00:46:48,760
\nus take up the spirit of the
\nexcellence Oven did.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Class 5 from this series was used in GCT Episode 338. 1 00:00:00,120 –> 00:00:03,040 Our…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":786,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"episode_type":"","audio_file":"https:\/\/anchor.fm\/s\/8765608\/podcast\/play\/99598850\/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2025-2-9%2F5be93f66-ca83-aa79-261d-68572e5416e2.mp3","podmotor_file_id":"","podmotor_episode_id":"","cover_image":"","cover_image_id":"","duration":"00:46:36","filesize":"8.00M","filesize_raw":"","date_recorded":"","explicit":"","block":""},"tags":[],"series":[18],"class_list":["post-1273","podcast","type-podcast","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","series-gct-ext"],"aioseo_notices":[],"episode_featured_image":"https:\/\/goodchristadelphiantalks.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/1319730-1546836077275-ad9b1fa65b482-scaled.jpg","episode_player_image":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/goodchristadelphiantalks.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/1319730-1546836075997-e4feb369d8bf.jpg?fit=400%2C400&ssl=1","download_link":"https:\/\/goodchristadelphiantalks.com\/podcast-download\/1273\/roger-lewis-the-house-of-asaph-family-of-faith-and-masters-of-music-class-4-the-zeal-of-the-house-of-asaph","player_link":"https:\/\/goodchristadelphiantalks.com\/podcast-player\/1273\/roger-lewis-the-house-of-asaph-family-of-faith-and-masters-of-music-class-4-the-zeal-of-the-house-of-asaph","audio_player":"https:\/\/goodchristadelphiantalks.com\/podcast-player\/1273\/roger-lewis-the-house-of-asaph-family-of-faith-and-masters-of-music-class-4-the-zeal-of-the-house-of-asaph<\/a>","episode_data":{"playerMode":"dark","subscribeUrls":{"anchor":{"key":"anchor","url":"https:\/\/anchor.fm\/gct-extended","label":"Anchor","class":"anchor","icon":"anchor.png"},"apple_podcasts":{"key":"apple_podcasts","url":"https:\/\/itunes.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/good-christadelphian-talks-extended\/id1451458376?mt=2&uo=4","label":"Apple Podcasts","class":"apple_podcasts","icon":"apple-podcasts.png"},"breaker":{"key":"breaker","url":"","label":"Breaker","class":"breaker","icon":"breaker.png"},"castbox":{"key":"castbox","url":"https:\/\/castbox.fm\/channel\/id1440738","label":"CastBox","class":"castbox","icon":"castbox.png"},"google_podcasts":{"key":"google_podcasts","url":"https:\/\/www.google.com\/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy84NzY1NjA4L3BvZGNhc3QvcnNz","label":"Google Podcasts","class":"google_podcasts","icon":"google-podcasts.png"},"overcast":{"key":"overcast","url":"https:\/\/overcast.fm\/itunes1451458376\/good-christadelphian-talks-extended","label":"Overcast","class":"overcast","icon":"overcast.png"},"pocketcasts":{"key":"pocketcasts","url":"https:\/\/pca.st\/s6u6","label":"PocketCasts","class":"pocketcasts","icon":"pocketcasts.png"},"podbean":{"key":"podbean","url":"","label":"Podbean","class":"podbean","icon":"podbean.png"},"radio_public":{"key":"radio_public","url":"https:\/\/radiopublic.com\/good-christadelphian-talks-extend-8X4LpA","label":"Radio Public","class":"radio_public","icon":"radio-public.png"},"spotify":{"key":"spotify","url":"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/show\/572NtU94bGKGknHF4gmlM6","label":"Spotify","class":"spotify","icon":"spotify.png"},"stitcher":{"key":"stitcher","url":"https:\/\/www.stitcher.com\/podcast\/anchor-podcasts\/good-christadelphian-talks-extended","label":"Stitcher","class":"stitcher","icon":"stitcher.png"},"youtube":{"key":"youtube","url":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/c\/GoodChristadelphianTalksPodcast","label":"YouTube","class":"youtube","icon":"youtube.png"}},"rssFeedUrl":"https:\/\/goodchristadelphiantalks.com\/feed\/podcast\/gct-ext","embedCode":"Roger Lewis – The House of Asaph – Family of Faith and Masters of Music – Class 4 – The Zeal of the House of Asaph<\/a><\/blockquote>