Among those selected to lead in the Lord’s worship there was only one requirement. It wasn’t a function of their status, their age, their family, or anything else. It was only based upon their giftedness. Their skill that was developed through training was the only criteria used for choosing those who would lead the Lord’s people in vocal worship. Our passage today says, “The number of them …who were trained in singing to the Lord, all who were skillful, was 288. And they cast lots for their duties, small and great, teacher and pupil alike.”
There was no preferential treatment with any of them. There were 24 worship teams established and each team took a rotation for serving the Lord and people of the Lord. No preferential treatment was afforded to anyone, regardless of how closely or distantly related to Aaron, the high priest, they were. This divinely inspired procedure closed the door to dissent and disagreement regarding who would serve and when.
Among the talented there has always been a difficulty in assigning and scheduling appropriate roles and places in worship. Preachers struggle with not getting enough time, singers sometimes want more opportunities, etc. We all are sometimes too personally attached to our place than we should be.
One ancient tradition sees Satan actively at work among those with public ministry gifts because he was active in that role before his fall. In Ezekiel we see him described as having “pipes” associated with his workmanship. Some suggest this means vocal, others imply it could be instrumental. One cannot miss the point that Satan is often referred to in his prefall status as a “cherubim.” Those are the angels that sing as seen in Isaiah 6. “Holy, Holy, Holy,” was their refrain and we see them in a huge choir in the book of revelation. It was his pride associated with his talent and giftedness that led to the split in heaven. It is sometimes still the case today.
Chuck
“Don’t grumble about each other, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. For look—the Judge is standing at the door!” James 5:9