I was reading in Deuteronomy 31 yesterday and was struck by how Moses is instructed by the Lord that song is a powerful tool in teaching and remembering what God has done and what God requires of His people. Moses was getting ready to depart this life and had written a book of instruction for his people. He tells the people that this book of instruction is to be read at the end of every seventh year.
Then the Lord predicts Israel's disobedience and tells Moses to write down the words of a song and teach it to the people. It is then stated that the descendants of Moses will never forget the song. The song of Moses would live on.
J. S. Bach, the great church musician, also saw the importance of song. He stated, "The final reason of all music is nothing other than the glorification of God and the refreshment of the spirit. Where there is devotional music, God is always at hand with His gracious presence." He knew the song would go on.
The great Martin Luther believed that music has the power to light up the gospel message, giving life to the words, impressing it on the human heart and expressing the joy it brings. He believed there was no better way to conserve the truth and spread the gospel. He believed you could sing truth into the heart. This was the reason he said he would leave others to write the theology books as long as he could write the hymns. He knew if the people sang the truth, they would believe and carry the truth.
It is also interesting that concern for the descendants of Moses is mentioned, and that both Bach and Luther stressed the importance of musical training for youth for the very same reason.
We see the power of music at work in our children as they perpetuate the truth and the song at Christmas. The Christmas Story is wrapped in song and the song goes on! mjm
