Musicians Needed
Nehemiah 10-12
After reviewing their scandalous history and confessing their desperation for God’s intervention, the people recommit themselves to live according to God’s ways. They sign their names on the dotted line, agreeing to center their lives around worshiping Him, and this covenant would have practical implications for their relationships, business dealings, agricultural rhythms, and temple staff.
Temple staff include priests, Levites, gatekeepers, and singers, and these four positions are a primary concern in Nehemiah 10-12. During the initial planning of the first temple, King David had formalized these temple roles (1 Chronicles 23-26), organizing each group by their specific place of service.
In order for these groups to lead the people well in the worship of Yahweh, they would depend on the support of their surrounding community. If they lacked daily provisions, the priests, Levites, gatekeepers, and singers would be forced to abandon their temple posts in pursuit of careers that could meet their everyday needs, and once the temple was abandoned by its staff, Israel’s worship would crumble.
If times were tough and harvest was slim, imagine how easy it would be to cut down on temple staff, likely starting with the role of musicians. How many accountants could have asked, What are they actually doing? What’s our ROI for these musicians?
Interestingly, the topic of singers, music, song, or praise is brought up at least 17 times in chapters 10 -12. Music had such a place of priority that those who led songs in the temple were given “a fixed provision as every day required” (11:23) or “daily portions” (12:47). Corporate worship required a different kind of effort than farming required, but it was still work deserving of compensation.
Although they led in only one aspect of worship, musicians had a role that transcended time. Israel passed on their culture, history, and theology, but not through individual textbooks or silent reading assignments. They had an oral tradition, rich with recitations and melodies, preserving for the next generation all of Israel’s momentous occasions, significant beliefs, and works of God through lyrics and song.
Music does more than facilitate worship. Music unites. It brings together a vast and diverse audience into one voice, one body. Music flows like water, carrying truth along and seeping into the deepest places of the heart. As it settles, it softens and repairs. Words alone can be powerful, but they can also be quite forgettable; therefore, music functions like a preservative, keeping memories alive, and truth from growing stale.
The people dedicate the wall of Jerusalem, accompanied by the echos of temple choirs, “And the joy of Jerusalem was heard far away.” (12:43) They factor in the singers with the priests, Levites, and gatekeepers, and they all agree that a life of worship will be their priority. As if foreshadowing chapter 13, they declare, “We will not neglect the house of our God.” (10:39)
But this revival climax won’t last long.
