Why the Music of the Temple Was Successful part 4

Why the Music of the Temple Was Successful part 4   

THE MUSICIANS WERE CALLED.

            Fourth, not only were the chief musicians prepared musically and spiritually and were full-time workers, but these musicians were set apart for service or were "called" in that they considered their ministry a sacred trust.  I Chronicles 25:1 tells us that they were separated (badal 914) for service (abowdah 5656).  They were distinguished by being selected to minister.  Remember that this same verse states that they were called to prophesy with music.  Also, we previously learned that the Levites were appointed or "set" by David, Gad, Nathan, and by the commandment of Jehovah.  We also found in I Chronicles 15:16 and in other scriptures that the Levites were often appointed to a specific ministry i.e. to teach, to sing, to sing and play, to direct, or to oversee.

            These Levite musicians were given a sacred trust.  I Chronicles 16:37 tells us, "So he left (azab 5800) there before the ark of the covenant of the LORD.  Asaph and his brethren to minister. . ."  The word azab connotes total trust on the part of the ones who were called to minister, and it also displays a total trust on the part of the one(s) who appointed the ministering Levites.  David was able to leave them because they were no just merely working day and night but were ministering unto God.  Churches today should accept no less of a minister of music.  This ministering servant must be called of God and also, like the Levite musicians of the Old Testament, consider musical ministry a sacred trust.