Once again I’m too lazy to do my Theology Thursday posts on, you know, Thursday. But I’m making up for it by covering two topics. That’s right…extra free theology. Though I suppose it’s all free on the Interwebs.
I participate in the Music Ministry at my church, as a member of the choir and a singer on the Worship Teams, even occasionally singing the special. (If you want to hear my personal favorite special, you can.)
As a member of the choir who sometimes hauls his music into the lab at work, I can let you know that, should you emulate me in this way, you may also end up with a label similar to “Seth the Tenor” on your laptop. My coworkers love me.
But, being part of the music at church, I’m aware of just how divisive music can be, and at the shocking lack of tact and grace extended by some folks who probably think they’re Christians. I speak, of course, of the complainers. And yes, I’m being a bit harsh by calling someone’s faith into question for objecting to something in the music. But it gets my goat, and I’ve found a verse that tells such people to muzzle it (well, maybe that’s exaggerating things):
1 Chronicles 15:16 (ESV, emphasis mine)
16 David also commanded the chiefs of the Levites to appoint their brothers as the singers who should play loudly on musical instruments, on harps and lyres and cymbals, to raise sounds of joy.
I don’t think anyone complained about the volume. Just a hunch.
Thinking of loud music reminds me of my first year in college, when we had our first dorm-floor meeting with our RA. One of the guys (who was from Palestine) asked how late he could “crack up the stereo.” Nobody on that floor ever said it any other way. Kind of like the way The Fair Elaine and I always say “derbis” instead of “debris,” after a lovely pastoral metathesis (a word I learned from Star Trek: The Next Generation).
But back to theology-ish ramblings. David commanded this loud music playing to distract from his evidently awful dancing. I jest, of course, but his wife wasn’t much impressed. Or maybe she was jealous of his moves?
And of course, this loud music and egregious dancing took place because the Ark of the Covenant was coming to Jerusalem. But this wasn’t the first time for the loud music, the dancing, or the Ark being brought toward Jerusalem. But the previous time went pretty badly.
1 Chronicles 13:7-10 (ESV)
7 And they carried the ark of God on a new cart, from the house of Abinadab, and Uzzah and Ahio were driving the cart. 8 And David and all Israel were rejoicing before God with all their might, with song and lyres and harps and tambourines and cymbals and trumpets.
9 And when they came to the threshing floor of Chidon, Uzzah put out his hand to take hold of the ark, for the oxen stumbled. 10 And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzzah, and he struck him down because he put out his hand to the ark, and he died there before God.
Poor Uzzah, right? I mean, sure, he should’ve probably known not to touch the Ark, but was it really his fault? David Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
realizes in Chapter 15 that the Lord “broke out” against them because they were transporting the Ark improperly. But still, to punish Uzzah for that mistake? A bit harsh?
Well, no. Because the Ark was coming from his house. And way back in 1 Samuel 7, when the Ark first came to Kiriath-jearim, a certain Eleazer son of Abinadab was given charge over it. Also noted as a son of Abinadab? You guessed it: Uzzah. I think it’s safe to assume that Abinadab was a Levite, and thus his sons would also be. They knew how the Ark was to be transported.
The whole situation is still nasty. I remember reading this as a kid and being mad that God would strike Uzzah like that. I found it comforting that David evidently agreed with me:
1 Chronicles 13:11 (ESV)
11 And David was angry because the LORD had broken out against Uzzah. And that place is called Perez-uzza to this day.
And that’ll pretty much do it for this week. For the first time in a while, I have no book review to post this week. So look for a couple next week. On the other hand, I’m a good nine weeks ahead of schedule in my Bible reading. So that’s cool. And I have somewhat of an idea for a Theology Thursday post next week. Maybe I’ll even post on Thursday this time. Or maybe I’ll drop my alliterative titles altogether and just post whatever, whenever. A Fflam is unpredictable!