Does God Love Music, or What?

August 2008

Trivia: Can you name the first five professions mentioned in the Bible? (hint: they are all in Genesis 4) Here we go: 1) Abel was a shepherd. 2) Cain was a farmer. 3) Jabal was a nomadic herdsman. 4) Jubal was a musician. 5) Tubal-cain was a metal worker. Jubal’s name meant stream.

I just want to spend a little time with you talking about the importance of music to God. Music is first mentioned in the fourth chapter of the Bible, and it is mentioned for the final time four chapters from the end of the Bible. Just a quick perusal tells me that music, or a derivative of it, is mentioned more than 75 in the Scriptures. Sing is mentioned over 180 times (nearly all of them are commands for us to sing). Song is in there over 100 times, and Psalm is in there more than 80. That doesn’t include play or the names of any instruments. In fact, the first musician is mentioned two chapters before Noah, who may have been the first preacher mentioned. I don’t say this to insinuate that music is more important than preaching, or any other type of ministry. Instead, I say it to counteract the opinion that exists in some people’s minds that other types of ministry are more viable; and that music, because it has an enjoyment factor, is somehow less spiritual, or less important. The Kingdom of Heaven was organized with three archangels: one was a warrior (Michael), one was a messenger (Gabriel), and one was a worship leader and musician (Lucifer). In fact, in Ezekiel 28 Lucifer is called the “anointed cherub that covered the throne.” His fall left the throne uncovered, so now 24 elders, along with the “number that can’t be numbered” cover God’s throne. Music was foundational in Heaven and it was foundational on earth… with us from nearly the beginning of time. In Job 38:4-7 God asks Job, “Where were you when I established the earth? Tell [Me], if you have understanding. Who fixed its dimensions? Certainly you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it? What supports its foundations? Or who laid its cornerstone while the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy?” Not only is this passage one of the great “smack-downs” of all time, it also illustrates that the creation of the earth was achieved amidst great songs of worship and praise. Don’t you find it instructional that the Bible calls one man “a man after God’s own heart,” and he was the most prolific musician of all time… still the best-selling songwriter in history? God takes music seriously, shouldn’t we?