Nehemiah 12

“Now at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought out the Levites in all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem to celebrate the dedication with gladness, both with thanksgivings and singing, with cymbals and stringed instruments and harps. And the sons of the singers gathered together from the countryside around Jerusalem, from the villages of the Netophathites, from the house of Gilgal, and from the fields of Geba and Azmaveth; for the singers had built themselves villages all around Jerusalem.” Nehemiah 12:27-29 (NKJV)

As I mentioned earlier, many scholars see the gates around Jerusalem as representative of the different ways that people enter into the Lord’s presence. If there were an issue that stood between you and God, there was a gate you could enter through, which corresponded to your particular issue. The names of the gates were symbolic. You could leave your burden at that gate, so to speak, and enter, unhindered, to meet with the Lord. To facilitate your entrance into Jerusalem, gatekeepers and musicians were stationed.

“After the wall had been rebuilt and I had set the doors in place, the gatekeepers and the singers and Levites were appointed.” Nehemiah 7:1 (CJB)

There is an old saying: music calms the savage beast. That idea is definitely true when it comes to worship music. The reason for music within the context of a worship service is to prepare the hearts of worshippers to receive the message of God’s Word. If we must lay down our “loads” before we enter Jerusalem, music softens the heart and sweetens the experience; music, therefore, is the spoonful of sugar that helps the medicine go down.

Traditionally, Jerusalem was to be open 24-7. That is 24 hours/day, 7 days/week. The symbolism was that the Lord was accessible at all times. Therefore, gatekeepers and musicians conducted their duties in shifts so there would continually be praise before the Lord.  

“Those who were musicians, heads of the Levite families, stayed in the rooms of the temple and were exempt from other duties because they were responsible for the work day and night.” 1 Chronicles 9:33 (NIV)

Can you imagine a church today, with the surrounding neighborhoods completely inhabited by its worship team and their families? The sole reason for their close proximity was that they continually led music - a never-ending jam session.

I like the relationship between gatekeepers and musicians. There is a kind of balance between the FREEDOM of music and the ACCOUNTABILITY of gatekeeping. Too much liberty with no accountability leads to anarchy. Too much accountability without freedom to worship just seems kind of fascist. I thank the Lord for that balance of holiness and grace, which allows us to fear the Lord as we boldly approach His throne.