INTRODUCTION

God is a God of music. The Spirit-breath glorifies the Word of the Father, and is the music of the Triune life. Made in the image of this God, we are musical instruments, created for praise. Jesus speaks with a voice like the sound of many waters (Revelation 1:16 ), and when we gather for worship we mimic that sound (Revelation 19:6).

THE TEXT

“Now they began to sanctify on the first day of the first month, and on the eighth day of the month they came to the vestibule of the LORD. So they sanctified the house of the LORD in eight days . . . ” (2 Chronicles 29:17-46).

RENEWED TEMPLE

The reign of Hezekiah’s father Ahaz was one of the low points of Israel ’s history. He plundered the temple to bribe the king of Assyria (2 Chronicles 28:20-21), sacrificed to the gods of Damascus (v. 23), and closed down the temple (v. 24). In his first year, Hezekiah began to reverse everything his father did. He exhorted the Levites to consecrate themselves and the house of Yahweh (29:3-11), and they removed all the impurities of Ahaz (vv. 15-16). After the house was consecrated, Hezekiah gathered the Levites, priests, and princes of Jerusalem to rededicate the house (v. 20).

PURIFICATION, ASCENSION, FEAST

The sequence of sacrifices in 2 Chronicles 29 is the same that we find in the law (Leviticus 8; Numbers 6:9-12): First a purification offering to purge the altar and Israel (vv. 21-24), then an ascension offering (vv. 25-28), and finally sacrifices and thank offerings (vv. 31-33). This is the same sequence we use in worship: Cleansing by confession (purification), ascension to the presence of God, and a Eucharistic feast in the Lord’s presence (sacrifice, peace offerings).

SACRIFICE OF PRAISE

In contrast to tabernacle worship, temple sacrifice is accompanied by song. Music has a large role in Chronicles. David reorganizes the priesthood to include singers and musicians (1 Chronicles 15:16 -24; 16:4-43); at Solomon’s temple dedication, the choir and orchestra played as the glory descended on the Most Holy Place (2 Chronicles 8:6-7); when Jehoshaphat is threatened by Moab and Ammon, he gathers the people to defend the city with singing (2 Chronicles 20:14 -30). In Hezekiah’s rededication ceremony, the Levites play and sing during the ascension offering (2 Chronicles 29:25-30). Their offerings ascend with song; they ascend in song.

HEZEKIAH’S WORSHIP AND OURS

We can draw several conclusions from Hezekiah’s example. First, Israel ’s worship matures. It does not start as glorious as it becomes. This maturation comes through appointing specialized music leaders, introducing musical instruments (2 Chronicles 29:25). Second, music especially accompanies the ascension of the people into the presence of the Lord. This is why we have an “ascent of music” after the absolution. Finally, the music of the temple was loud and vigorous. Echoing her Lord, Israel ’s voice was like the voice of many waters. Our voice should be the same.