A Teeny Little Look At Music in Scripture

The first mention of music in the Bible is in Genesis 4:21 - "His brother's name was Jubal. He was the father of all those who play the harp and flute."

I believe we can see the design and purpose of music in the meaning of Jubal's name. And by following the "law of first mention" we can see the really get the picture that God is showing us.
The law of first mention is the principle that requires one to go to that portion of the Scriptures where a doctrine is mentioned for the first time and to study the first reference in order to get the fundamental inherent meaning of that doctrine or subject. When we look at the first appearance, which is usually in the simplest form, we can then examine the doctrine in other portions of the Word that were given later. The fundamental concept in the first occurrence remains dominant as a rule, and colors all later additions to that doctrine. So looking at Jubal and this reference we can find some things out that maybe aren't quite so obvious.

Jubal's name literally means "a water flow".

Don't you wonder what the very first music sounded like?
I do. Jubal was a musician and the father of all who play the harp and flute. The first music, I believe, was pure, like flowing water. It would have been, alive and uplifting. Music that touches people and music that is well liked is music that is not only played with skill, but communicates heart to heart. Nobody wants to listen to musicians who have little skill or cannot get across the message of their music. Where a river is flowing, there is a whole range of variation. At places it will be deep, other places it will be shallow, sometimes the flow is slow, sometimes wild. Describe a flowing river, then describe music. They are much the same.

Jubal's parents were Lamech and Adah, the seventh generation from Adam and Eve, who by the way lived to the age of 777, and in his later years was the father of Noah. Lamech's name means "powerful" and Adah means "ornament". I think all of these describe music. Music is so powerful, so influencial and universal that it is pervasive in all societies. Music is also an ornament in that it is valuable and decorative. It is set apart and unique, coming from each instrumentalist uniquely. There is no end to it's creative possibilities. In fact it flows from the Creator and is purely creative in it's nature.

This is the original intent of music; for it to be a flow, alive and moving as a stream moves, giving life like water does. It is intended be pure and unadulterated, not manipulated, or controlling.

The moving of the Holy Spirit is like a water flow. It is alive, it gives life. It is like prophecy which I Cor. 14:3 says "But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men."
In scripture The Holy Spirit has been symbolized by a river. Jesus revealed this when he said in John 7:38-39, "out of your innermost being shall flow rivers of living water. This He spoke of the Holy Spirit."

Psalm 46:6 "There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God."
The chapter of Ezekiel 47 is all about the river that flows from the temple and gives life.
And finally, in Revelation 22:1 -
"And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb."

This scripture seems to mirror the Gen. 4:21 scripture about Jubal.

Clearly, for the people of God, the Israelites, everything they did was to be for God's glory. The instruments David created and used were for the temple worship. Songs, instruments, music - all these had a purpose, for God's glory. We are also sons and daughters of Abraham. To us in the church, our music is to be that of the scripture.
Galatians 3:29 -
"And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
and thereby the people of God."

Our music should entirely be for God's glory, not for our fame. Even Christian music has an industry in which the stars thereof promote themselves. The music which flows from the throne of God has no pride, no production, no promotion for the musicians. It is not mixed with any of the ways of the world and has no need to copy any of it's styles or licks. On the contrary, it is pure, it is mighty, it is alive and it is highly creative. It is skillful and full of life and love.

This is what I perceive is the original intent of music, like Jubal's name, a water flow. And this is to what I aspire.
~catchtheflow