Daily Lesson for May 22, 2020

Today's Daily Lesson comes from 1 Chronicles chapter 25 verses 1a and 5 through 8:

David and the officers of the army also set apart for the service the sons of Asaph, and of Heman, and of Jeduthun, who should prophesy with lyres, harps, and cymbals . . . 5 All these were the sons of Heman the king’s seer, according to the promise of God to exalt him; for God had given Heman fourteen sons and three daughters. 6 They were all under the direction of their father for the music in the house of the Lord with cymbals, harps, and lyres for the service of the house of God. Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman were under the order of the king. 7 They and their kindred, who were trained in singing to the Lord, all of whom were skillful, numbered two hundred eighty-eight. 8 And they cast lots for their duties, small and great, teacher and pupil alike.

One of the last things King David did before he died was to appoint musicians for "prophesying" in the Temple.  The Temple wasn't even built yet, but apparently the musicians were already practicing.  They were reading themselves to not just play but "prophesy" to the LORD the lyre, and harp, and cymbals, and even singing -- though verse 7 makes it clear that only those who could sing did.  According to the text, you had to be both trained and skillful to lead song in the LORD's House.

One of the challenges to coming back to church will be the absence of congregational singing. Singing is one of the riskiest things we can do to expose our neighbors and ourselves to COVID-19.  It's hard to imagine church without congregational singing, though I know the Anglicans have been doing "said and not sung" services for centuries.

When we do come back -- Broadway is still setting no timeline or date and will move very cautiously in coming back -- there will be more instrumental music.  There will probably be more harp, and lyre, and cymbal, and maybe one or two well-trained voices. They shall sing, and play, and -- I pray -- perhaps even prophesy.

And a joyful noise shall be made unto the LORD . . .

NOTE: We are reading the whole Bible through this year.  Over the weekend we will read Psalms 131, 138-139, 143-145; 1 Chronicles 26-29, Psalm 127; and Psalms 111-118. 

Have a happy Holiday weekend.