The Unnamed Minstrel

Monday, September 14, 2009

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Jehoram, king of Israel, called upon Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, to help him fight against the Moabites, who had risen up in rebellion. As the two kings took their armies to the battle, along with the king of Edom, they began to run out of water to drink and to give to their animals. They decided to go ask counsel of Elisha as to what they should do.

Elisha, who was not particularly interested in helping king Jehoram, because of the wickedness of his family, decided to seek a word from the Lord for the sake of king Jehoshaphat. He called for a minstrel to play, and as the minstrel played, presumedly upon a harp, the hand of the Lord came upon Elisha.

The advice was to fill the valley full of ditches. The armies did so, and, without a drop of rain from the sky or even a bit of wind, the ditches were filled with water. The men and their animals were then able to drink the water in the ditches. Also, the Moabites, seeing the water in the ditches as blood, became emboldened, thinking the opposing forces had overcome each other, and thus were trapped and defeated by the forces of Israel, Judah, and Edom.

The story is told in 2 Kings 3. The Scriptures state this:

"And Elisha said, As the LORD of hosts liveth, before whom I stand, surely, were it not that I regard the presence of Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, I would not look toward thee, nor see thee. But now bring me a minstrel. And it came to pass, when the minstrel played, that the hand of the LORD came upon him."

We do not know his name. We do not know the title of his song. We do not know for sure what instrument he played. We are not told of his proficiency or skill on his instrument. We do not know his age. We do not know the status of his family. We do not know what might have been the amount of his riches or the level of popularity he may have enjoyed. As far as we are told, the minstrel only played music, with no words being sung.

We do know, that when he played, God's hand came upon Elisha. The music became a catalyst for the presence of God. This is "inspirational music" in it's clearest and truest form. God's power touched the prophet as a result of music that moved the hand of God.

Oh, that the music in our churches would bring God's very presence into our services, causing the Holy Spirit to move in the hearts of the congregation, and allowing God to speak to each individual! It is possible. It has been done, and can be done.

This story is not about the man. This story is not about the music. This story is about the power of God, working in and through a musician who reached the heart of God.

Let us humbly strive for music that reaches heaven and opens hearts to receive the Word of God

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Curtis Hollembeak

Curtis holds a bachelor's degree in Bible with a music minor, as well as a master's degree in Sacred Music, having studied under Dr. Frank Garlock, president of Majesty Music, and Ray and Ann Gibbs, well-known Christian singers. He has served as music director and jr. high/high school supervisor at Grace Baptist Church of Mankato, Minnesota; school music director at the Franklin Road Christian School in Murfreesboro, Tennessee; media engineer for the Sword of the Lord in Murfreesboro, Tennessee; and, full-time music director at Second Baptist Church and Twin City Christian Academy in Festus, Missouri. He is currently self-employed and serves in the music ministry of the Berean Baptist Church in Rockford, IL. Curtis is co-founder and President of the Asaph Music Co. He regularly sings bass with the Bible Truth Chorale on recordings produced by Bible Truth Music at Faith Music Missions.