By Jim Jester
Text: II Chronicles 7:4-6, Then the king and all the people offered sacrifices before the Lord. 5 And king Solomon offered a sacrifice of twenty and two thousand oxen, and an hundred and twenty thousand sheep: so the king and all the people dedicated the house of God. 6 And the priests waited on their offices: the Levites also with instruments of music of the Lord, which David the king had made to praise the Lord, because his mercy endures for ever, when David praised by their ministry; and the priests sounded trumpets before them, and all Israel stood.
Music usually plays a major role in most people’s lives – as much as what we eat, wear, or in our personal relationships. As seen in this passage, it certainly played a major role in Israel.
Music should be addressed from a biblical perspective as well as any other doctrine of the church: the Godhead, the church, justification, sanctification, etc. Did you know there are about 600 references to music in the Bible? That is more than other doctrines we teach on a regular basis. Most people feel that music is a personal issue (and therefore autonomous) and do not know of any Scriptures they can turn to in support of their musical convictions (if they even have any). Do you have any evidence from Scripture to support your philosophy of music?
In the books of Chronicles, we have the most extensive account of music given in God’s Word. We see the administration, organization, and the excellence of music.