The mystery of music raises intriguing questions. We ask, “Since the old tabernacle and temple are shadows, do they and their arrangements point to something better?” Yes. We ourselves are the better temple. We are “living stones” in the “spiritual house” where we as priests offer “spiritual sacrifices” (1 Peter 2:5). The worship in passages like Ephesians 5 is living and spiritual. It enjoys complete effectiveness because it is offered “in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:20) and “through Him” (Colossians 3:16-17). Its power, purity and simplicity far outshine the material offerings of the old worship. They were merely shadows. We now enjoy the realities.
We ask, “Since the temple items of Revelation are symbols, do things like incense and harps have a meaning?” In Revelation, symbolic incense is interpreted as holy prayers that rise to God (Revelation 5:8). The same worshipers who hold the bowls of incense also hold harps, indicating a similar meaning related to worship, praise and thanks. Then we find in Ephesians that the new worship has an instrument of music—“making melody to the Lord with your heart” (Ephesians 5:19). For this new age, here is the ultimate spiritual instrument: the believer’s thankful heart! Its music rises into God’s very presence through Jesus. Grateful and effective heart-music is a fitting fulfillment of old, shadowy instruments made of wood and string.
We ask, “Are earthly trumpets, harps and flutes living? Do they fit the new worship that is in spirit and truth?” Who can doubt that harps and violins move and touch us deeply? They feel like they have a living quality. That is what makes them so suitable as types and symbols that point to that which truly does live, that which truly does touch the divine heart of God. As to the nature of instruments—living or non-living—there are passages that happen to provide answers.
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. (1 Corinthians 13:1)
If even lifeless instruments, such as the flute or the harp, do not give distinct notes, how will anyone know what is played? And if the bugle gives an indistinct sound, who will get ready for battle? (1 Corinthians 14:7-8)
In both passages, Paul uses musical instruments as illustrations. The first pictures noise that is loud but empty. The second pictures the confusing effect of poorly played or untuned instruments. But in making his point, Paul mentions the nature of instruments—they are lifeless. He does not say this to disparage them, but simply to state an obvious fact that illustrates his point. The actual focus of 1 Corinthians 14 is the human voice in assembled worship. 1 Corinthians 14 gives the New Testament’s most detailed description of assembled worship. In that chapter, singing is integral to worship. Like prayer, singing engages both mind and spirit (1 Corinthians 14:15). Yet when Paul refers to instruments, he makes no attempt to include them as matters of worship. That fact is made more remarkable by Paul’s background in which Jews offer instrumental music to God.