Musicians Who Ministered

 Musicians Who Ministered   

Ezekiel 40:44 states, “And without the inner gate were the chambers of the Singers in the inner court…”

       Bible expositors have had a field day with this Old Testament text.  Many of them simply ignored it as though it was extraneous material without meaning.  Others simply ignored the word shiyr (7788) translated “singers” which meant singer-players. Some believe that this Scripture refers to the chambers where the Levite Musicians lived.

       Matthew Henry believed that, “Some [chambers] were for the singers v.44.  It should seem that they were first provided for before any that other that attended [ministered] this temple-service, to intimate, not only that the singing of Psalms should still continue a gospel ordinance, but that the gospel should furnish all that embrace it with abundant matter of joy and praise, and give them occasion to break forth into singing, which is often foretold concerning gospel times.”

 Matthew Henry’s Commentary, Vol. IV, Isaiah—Malachi, page 985

       You are probably thinking, "How could this quaint esoteric text from the Bible have meaning to musicians in the twenty-first century?”  There are at least two thoughts that are worth considering.  First, the Levite musician’s chambers were in very close proximity to the place of worship in the Temple.  For some reason God wanted these musicians to live very close to their place of music ministry.  Evidently Jehovah wanted them to dwell close to where they met with God in worship.  Perhaps Christian musicians may learn from this O.T. example that we all need to “dwell” close to where true worship takes place.  These musicians lived in the” inner court” of Jehovah’s Temple.

       Second, this Scripture is proof that the ancient church took care of the Levite music ministers who regularly musiced unto Jehovah. I believe that in this age of financial affluence, the twenty-first century church must take care of its music ministers.

       The Priests and the Levite musicians were described as those (vs. 46) who “came near to the LORD to minister unto him.”  The Bible example in this passage of Scripture is very clear.  One who would wish to minister unto the Lord, both then and now, must live in such a manner that that he could and can come near to the LORD to minister unto Him!