Training Our Own

Training Our Own
I Chronicles 25:3 states, “Of Jeduthun; Gedaliah, and Zeri, and Jeshaiah, and Mattithiah [and Shimei [mentioned in verse 17], six under the hands of their father Jeduthun, who prophesied with a harp, to give thanks and to praise the LORD.”
       This Scripture is a wonderful example of a godly musician in ancient Israel who was wise enough to train his own sons in the “songs of the LORD” (verse 7).  These six sons were “under the hands of” their father.  Praise God, this is a wonderful example of a musician who took time for his own family’s music education.  He did not send them to the Philistines to receive their music lessons. I believe that he had musical “massa” (4853) or burden for the musical training of his own household like Chenaniah mentioned in I Chronicles 15:22.  
       The concept of training our own is not only an Old Testament concept but also a New Testament principle.  I Timothy 5:8 states, “But if any provide not for his own [kindred-cf. Cambridge KJV], and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.”  Although this N.T. verse does not specifically mention music education, I believe the conception mentioned here is broader than the care of widows. 
       I am amazed that so many parents who love and serve the Lord do recognize the great need for the next generation to be “instructed in the songs of the LORD”.  Many parents who are not Christians are more consistent in training their children musically than Christian parents.
     One more concept is note-worthy in this passage of Scripture.  Jeduthun prophesied (to sing by inspiration) with his harp.  It is significant that he sang by inspiration, but it is just as important that he taught his six sons to prophesy with their musicing unto God.  He taught his sons to give thanks i.e. hold out their hands in avowal and thankfulness to God.  He also taught them to praise (halal 1984) and to show or to boast of the self existent, eternal God.
       Are your children being trained under your hands i.e. under your supervision and tutelage?  Are you personally mentoring them in how to music unto God?  Are you teaching them by example how to praise and thank the Lord through music making?