A Voice in the Wilderness |
*** PORTIONS *** Re: Does it -really- matter? (2Sam 6:5,15) A few weeks ago we considered "Purity in Service". Keeping the unclean out of God's worship. Over time we periodically speak of keeping the nonbeliever 'out' of the congregation of Believers met for worship and exhortation. On occasion we speak of music... of the wrongness of the current trend for "worship bands" and "worship music" in its Rock/mantra style. This latter item usually stirs up the most vehement responses. And for the most part, the attitude of proponents of worship bands and "christian" Rock, and other forms of CCM is that everybody has "their own style" of worship, that it is -all- praise to God. That people worship God with the kind of music they are "comfortable" with, etc. That it doesn't matter, as long as the worshippers are "sincere". In my personal reading this past week I 'happened' to notice something I had never seen before. I'm sure we all remember how the Ark of God was taken by the Philistines, and then returned on an ox cart to Israel. After years go by, David becomes king and decides it's time to bring the Ark from the private house where it's been residing, to Jerusalem. So, they set up an ox cart, again, and start bringing the Ark. Along with this is a procession of at least 30,000, and there is great rejoicing. The oxen fall, and the Ark about topples over and Uzzah is zapped dead when he reaches out to steady it. (vs6-7) Now, we typically then notice how several months later, David has done some research and tries again, this time, doing things God's way, the Ark is "carried". (vs13) But something else I only first noticed this time. The first time, David had assembled quite a "worship band". If you notice the list of instruments in vs5, were this assemblage put together today, the modern equivalents would be different kinds of guitars, brass instruments and all sorts of percussion instruments. You won't find -any- of these instruments listed in the books of the Law, where God is giving Moses the instructions on 'how to' worship. Now, notice, when they try again, with the Ark being carried, as it was supposed to...what is the instrumental accompaniment? The "sound of a ram's horn". (vs15) You'll find plenty of mention of ram's horns in the Law. The first time, they were seeking to rejoice in God's presence, and even with "sincerity" of heart, wanted to bring the Ark to its "home". But they did not do so in God's prescribed manner. "..you shall observe all My statutes.." (Lev19:37) "And see that they are made by their patterns which you were caused to see in the mountain." (Ex25:40) And what happened when somebody brought "strange fire" which God had not commanded? God "consumed" Nadab and Abihu. (Lev10:1-2) When they tried to bring the Ark on a cart, Uzzah died. It doesn't say God's anger burned 'because' of the "music". But it was part of the overall festivities. And David changed the 'music' -ALSO- when he corrected the manner in which God's Ark was transported. And nobody died. As we add "2+2", the answer, "4", seems to be a pretty clear picture here, for those willing to see it. Amen! ![]() |