Instrumental Music in
Worship as Idolatry
Thus reads all ancient documents on the female instructing principle (Lucifer was a woman) because women always exercised their instrumental music in worship power over the 'gods' and the paying audience through the use of instrumental music. Because music induces fight, flight or sex, musical worship was always identified with religious prostitution or adultery.
Sufficient to say that none of the holy women of Israel were guilty. Rather, it was the imported instruments and prostitute musicians who were only too happy to help pervert and subvert the nation. Solomon imported up to 10,000 musical instruments from Egypt along with many musical idolaters. Within five years of Solomon's death, the Egyptians came to Jerusalem and recovered their gold. The musicians and false Levites moved on to Israel after the civil war and helped lead Israel into captivity and almost total destruction.
Molech instrumental music in worship at Topheth was trying to enquire of God with human sacrifice and musical disorder. The use of musical worship teams was always a way to ignore the Word of God. Ezekiel shows why Judah was destroyed, speaks prophetically of the children who would musically attack or try to "triumph over" Messiah, and then described a proper worship which does not consist of doing our own thing or even speaking our own words.
God gave Israel a king to replace His Theocratic rule when they wanted a king like the nations so that they could worship like the nations. Therefore, most of their history is not a "pattern" for either Jewish or Christian worship. Rather, it is the story of a people adopting the Canaanite system of worship including necromancy or soothsaying as they tried to get a better deal from the gods with human sacrifice and instrumental music.
The priests interpreted the sounds of child sacrifice as a message from the True God. However, God said:
For when ye offer your gifts, when ye make your sons to pass through the fire, ye pollute yourselves with all your idols, even unto this day: and shall I be enquired of by you, O house of Israel? As I live, saith the Lord God, I will not be enquired (make inquisition, necromancer) of by you. Eze 20:31
And that which cometh into your mind shall not be at all, that ye say,
We will be as the heathen, as the families of the countries, to serve wood and stone. Eze 20:32Habakkuk has God warning about the devices used to get God's voice:
Woe unto him that saith to the wood, Awake; to the dumb stone, Arise, it shall teach Behold, it is laid over with gold and silver, and there is no breath at all in the midst of it. Hab 2:19
But the Lord is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him. Hab 2:20
From ancient times, musical instruments or idols "plumbed" with pipe the priest could speak through was considered the idol or the home of the gods.
When Israel came into Canaan they enjoyed "joint meetings" with the idolaters at the groves or high places. It was from these high places that we see the charismatic prophets coming down to meet with Saul as they assisted in "turning him into another man." This new "spirit" would convert the humble, bashful Saul to a king who erected a monument to his own honor and took it upon himself to serve as both king and priest.
Of Topheth (and tabret or tambourine) one writer notes that--
"the most probable is its connection with a root meaning 'burning'--'place of burning." (Int Std Bible Ency, p. 2999)
From the above text Isaiah warned that destruction would come to the beat of musical instruments and ended with the statement that--
"Topheth has long been prepared; it has been made ready for the king. Its fire pit has been made deep and wide, with an abundance of fire and wood; the breath of the LORD, like a stream of burning sulfur, sets it ablaze. Isa 30:33
From the evidence we understand that the "music grove" which Solomon established along with the temples of his idolatrous wives, finally became the symbol of hell itself.
Topheth in connection with instrumental music in worship occurs in two places in a striking comparison. In verse 32 it is tambourines or tabrets in the King James Version. In verse 33 it is Topheth. The tabrets with which Satan came equipped are a symbol of punishment and the almost identical word, topheth, is the place which came to stand for hell. He would go into the same place and his viols would go with him.
"The Hebrew words are nearly identical; and Tophet was probably the king's 'music grove' or garden, denoting originally nothing evil or hateful. Afterwards it was defiled by idols, and polluted by the sacrifices of Baal and the fires of Molech. Then it became the place of abomination, the very gate or pit of hell." (Smith, p. 960)
"Once the music-grove, where Solomon's singers, with voice and instrument, regaled the king, the court and the city; then the temple of Baal, the high place of Moloch, resounding with the cries of burning infants; then (in symbol) the place where is the wailing and gnashing of teeth." (p. 3313-14, four-volume Smith).
Music of Molech
Even as Solomon built the temple with slave labor driven with the Levites and their musical instruments, he built temples and altars for false gods. And as he had himself celebrated with musical instruments in his royal garden, this very place became the site of Molech as drums were used to prevent mothers from hearing the screams of their children as they were sacrificed. Of the worship of Molech it is said--
"Sometimes he was represented as a horrible idol with fire burning inside so that what was placed in his arms was consumed. In the above illustration, a heathen priest has taken a baby from its mother to be offered to Molech.
Lest the parents should relent, a loud noise was made on drums to hide the screams
The word for drums is tophim from which the word 'Tophet,' the place mentioned in verses such as Jeremiah 7:31:
''They have built the high place of Tophet... to burn their sons and their daughters in the fire. While drums sounded, bands played, and priests chanted, human sacrifices were devoured in the flames." (Woodrow, Ralph, Babylon Mystery Religion, p. 72-73).
Paul connected the "booming gong and clanging cymbals" with trying to enquire of God through instrumental music in worship means. We know this from the context and from the definition of the instruments. For instance, the gong or drum is defines much like the owb which was the familiar spirit of the witch of Endor (gods lived inside musical instruments, the professional clergy said). Paul then followed this up by warning against giving the body to be burned.
We have the creepy feeling up the back of the neck that the church is devoting itself to building "high places" with asherahs (steeples) in the erected position as a mark of civic pride to "make a name for ourselves" so that we will be remembered. Perhaps in direct proportion to a David-like urge to reject the "laws" and turn to the "suggestions" our children are literally being sacrificed as they are fed with "cut and paste" Bible study even into high school. To make the prophetic type come true the only thing needed is the human or literal sounding gong and clanging cymbals.
Breaking Down the Walls
Why does the flock not rise up in holly horror when their self-appointed watchmen on the walls joins groups whose purpose is to break down the walls. Of course they have a vested interest. The Chaldeans or musical astrologers and the wineskin merchants are just outside. However, the ecumenical "grape pickers" are just outside and they will trim your vine (take your inheritance or pollute you with flute and melody):
Why have you broken down its walls so that all who pass by pick its grapes? Psa 80:12
Boars (swine) from the forest ravage it and the creatures of the field feed on it. Psa 80:13
Return to us, O God Almighty! Look down from heaven and see! Watch over this vine, Psa 80:14
When the people neglected what God supplied them out of his grace and joined the pagans in their instrumental music in worship praise at the high places God removed His grace and allowed the walls to be broken down because there was nothing worth protecting. Isaiah repeats the Psalmists song by singing God's "song":
Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them Isa 5:11
And the harp, and the viol, the tabret, and pipe (flute 2485 to pollute see 2490 below)), and wine, are in their feasts (religious festivals in Amos): but they regard not the work of the Lord, neither consider the operation of his hands. Isa 5:12
Therefore my people are gone into captivity, because they have no knowledge: and their honourable men are famished, and their multitude dried up with thirst. Isa 5:13
A righteous man falling down before the wicked is as a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring. Pr 25:26
It is not good to eat too much honey, nor is it honorable to seek one's own honor. Pr 25:27
Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control. Pr.25:28
In Amos eight the people wandered from sea to sea looking for the spiritual bread of the Word. They could not find it because their leaders consumed their involuntary "contribution" on themselves and their favorite play mates. Because the leaders starved the people to death they would literally be taken into captivity by the musical soothsayers they had imported to help supply their "musical worship teams."
And in the fourth month, in the ninth day of the month, the famine was sore in the city, so that there was no bread for the people of the land. Je 52:6
Then the city was broken up, and all the men of war fled, and went forth out of the city by night by the way of the gate between the two walls, which was by the kings garden (This was the kings instrumental music in worship grove which is probably the topheth which became the place where children were burned to the beat of musical instruments) ; (now the Chaldeans were by the city round about:) and they went by the way of the plain. Je.52:7
But the army of the Chaldeans (Magian or professional astrologers) pursued after the king, and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho; and all his army was scattered from him. Je 52:8
When the shepherds desert their flock and collect at the high places don't they usually come riding upon the backs of those they have afflicted with sermon and song. Don't they come for the quick fix or for the pleasure? Don't they come to do polemic battle with their enemies who remain as watchmen on the walls listening for the faint sound of the war trumpets? Don't they feel, like the Catholic Jubilee, that your sins will be remitted simply by attending?
Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not? wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labours. Isa 58:3
Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high. Isa 58:4
Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the Lord? Isa 58:5
However, God honors those who do not respond to the wine and music. They will continue to help supply the water of the Word. They will be honored for always trying to "rebuild the old ruins" or patching whatever holes they find in their own wineskin. They will be honored for resisting the Satanic pride of speaking their own words:
And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted (h6031, browbeat, ravish, sing) soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday: Isa 58:10
Anah (h6030)cry, hear, Leannoth, lift up, say, * scholar, (give a) shout, sing together by course, speak, testify, utter, bear witness.
And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not. Isa 58:11
Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings. Is.58:12
If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words: Isa 58:13
Then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. Isa 58:14
Instrumental music in worship is Polluting
Science is clear that music can be targeted to create an altered state of consciousness in order to put the rational brain to sleep while the change agents slip in false doctrine through the emotions. The Bible and science would call this mental pollution. We have detailed some of the Biblical, historical and medical proof. You can see it HERE.
When the people polluted themselves, God and the temple, the word is:
Chalal (h2490) khaw-lal'; to bore, i. e. by implication: to wound, to dissolve; figurative: to profane (a person, place or thing), to break one's word, to begin as if by an "opening wedge"; (from 2485) ;
- 1. to play (the flute): - defile,
- 2. eat (as common things), gather the grape thereof,
- 3. take inheritance,
- 4. pipe, player on instruments,
- 5. pollute, (cast as) profane self,
- 6. prostitute, slay (slain), sorrow, stain, wound.
The ancient shofar was a ram's horn or some other animal horn. It created a tone much purer than a brass horn. The later literature made it illegal to bore holes in the horn to make tones other than those prescribed. Therefore, to make holes in the horn made it into a flute by boring or wounding it. At the same time, these instruments had other than religious use in war to panic the enemy or by the prostitutes.
"Ezekiel was particularly aghast at the sun worship there and a Canaanite fertility cult, which he calls 'weeping for Tammuz.
The Tammuz cult in the temple was being practiced by women, and it appears that they must bear their full share of responsibility for introducing heathen practices into Israel...
to the bad record of women may be added the activities of Solomon's wives who imported worship of the gods of Moab and Ammon, and of Jezebel, the wife of Ahab, who brought with her from Phoenicia the cult of the Tyrian Baal." (Heaton, E. W., Everyday Life in the Old Testament, p. 231-232, Scribners)
And it came to pass, when Joram saw Jehu, that he said, Is it peace, Jehu? And he answered, What peace, so long as the whoredoms of thy mother Jezebel and her witchcrafts are so many? 2 Kings 9:22
Kesheph (h3785) keh'-shef; from 3784; magic: - sorcery, witchcraft.
Kashaph (h3784) kaw-shaf'; a prim. root; prop. to whisper a spell, i. e. to inchant or practise magic: - sorcerer, (use) witch (-craft).Thus, Baal-aph, "lord of wrath," signifies "an angry man"; Baal-lashon, "lord of tongue," "an eloquent man"; Baal-hatsim, "lord of arrows," "an archer"; and in like manner, Baal-aberin, "lord of wings," signifies "winged one."
There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, Deut 18:10
Observer of times: Anan (h6049) aw-nan'; a prim. root; to cover; used only as denom. from 6051, to cloud over; fig. to act covertly, i. e. practise magic: - * bring, enchanter, Meonemin, observe (-r of) times, soothsayer, sorcerer.
Nachash (h5172) naw-khash'; a prim. root; prop. to hiss, i. e. whisper a (magic) spell; gen. to prognosticate: - * certainly, divine, enchanter, (use) * enchantment, learn by experience, * indeed, diligently observe.
Nachash (h5175) naw-khawsh'; from 5172; a snake (from its hiss): - serpent.
Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods. Gal 4:8
But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage? Gal 4:9
Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years. Gal 4:10
This same word is used of the king of Tyre, who was Lucifer's change agent. He was the harp-playing prostitute. God warned also about his (her?) tambourines and pipes. He tempted the nations through music and commerce and was therefore profane.
The foundation of the holy city in Revelation 21:20 are of precious jems. However, the foundation of Satan's "city" has the same foundation. However, the tabrets (tambourines) and pipes, or drums and wind instruments are two of the foundation stones to fence in or shut in or cover up (h5526).
Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets (toph) and of thy pipes (perforated) was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created. Eze 28:13
Covering can be a foundation or wall.
By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned: therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God: and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire. Eze.28:16
Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness (showing self): I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee. Eze 28:17
Of the End-Time Babylon whore, John wrote:
The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble, Rev 18:12
And the fruits that thy soul lusted after are departed from thee, and all things which were dainty and goodly are departed from thee, and thou shalt find them no more at all. Rev 18:14
And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee; Rev 18:22
Lucifer is derived from a common Hebrew word for praise or brightness which was most often self-praise. It is very similar to the joyful praise God outlawed when the nation came together for instruction (Nu 10:7):
Halal (h1984) haw-lal'; a prim. root; to be clear (orig. of sound, but usually of color); to shine; hence to make a show, to boast; and thus to be (clamorously) foolish; to rave; causat. to celebrate; also to stultify: - (make) boast (self), celebrate, commend, (deal, make), fool (- ish, -ly), glory, give [light], be (make, feign self) mad (against), give in marriage, [sing, be worthy of] praise, rage, renowned, shine.
The Hallel explicitly renounces and denounces the method of men like David who was lost and fearful of death from the hands of God Who might remove His Spirit or life. At this time, the Hallel was reading already-revealed Psalms as Hymns which are prayers.
"Hallel, in Jewish ritual, selection from the Psalms, chanted as part of the liturgy during certain festivals. The more frequently used selection includes Psalms 113-118 and is known as the Egyptian Hallel, presumably because Psalm 114 begins, "When Israel went out of Egypt"
It is sung in synagogues on the first two days of Passover, on Shabuoth, on Sukkot, on each morning of the eight days of Hanukkah, and at the close of the Seder.
"The Hallel through the generations, on specific occasions: Pesachim 117a
"Hallel requires a full stomach and a satisfied spirit: Taanis 25b-26a
The reading is beloved to the people, and so they listen closely: Megillah 21b"The Hallel as an Institution of the Prophets, to use to pray for salvation from danger: Pesachim 117a [2x] Saying the Hallel daily is blasphemous: Shabbos 118b
Jesus never sang with our without instrumental music. hymned one of the Psalms.
Modern musical worship teams deliberately violate the provisions of the Hallel and restore ancient Halal which was a sign of a man's lostness living under the Law of Moses.
Breaking down the Walls To Go to Topheth
In the Apocalyptic literature the holy mountain is the place where the holy people of God lived. Satan taught the Cainites, notably Genun (Jubal), how to seduce or pollute the Sethites by the use of instrumental music and mixed singing groups. The key ingredient was getting the women involved where they were seduced. Everyone knew that any women mixed up was available after "services."
In Isaiah's account, the Septuagint asks:
"Must ye always rejoice, and go into my holy places continually, as they that keep a feast? and must ye go with a pipe, as those that rejoice into the mountain of the Lord, to the God of Israel? Isaiah 30:29 LXX
This treatment of instrumental music in worship is consistent in the LXX and, therefore, when Amos condemned Israel for imitating David's instrumental music practices he said of them--
"who excel (oversee and are applauded) in the sound of musical instruments; they have regarded them as abiding, not as fleeting pleasure." Amos 6:6 LXX
God continued to warn that the "playing children" did not understand that musical worship has always been God's sign of His judgment which is often beyond remedy. Isaiah describes those who went into procession to Jerusalem and this introduces God's destruction of Assyria while the same instrumental music is making a great crashing sound to drown out the screams:
The LORD will cause men to hear his majestic voice and will make them see his arm coming down with raging anger and consuming fire, with cloudburst, thunderstorm and hail. Isa 30:30
The voice of the LORD will shatter Assyria; with his scepter he will strike them down. Isa 30:31
Every stroke the LORD lays on them with his punishing rod will be to the music of tambourines and harps, as he fights them in battle with the blows of his arm. Isa 30:32Topheth has long been prepared; it has been made ready for the king. Its fire pit has been made deep and wide, with an abundance of fire and wood; the breath of the LORD, like a stream of burning sulfur, sets it ablaze. Isa 30:33
Of the king of Babylon, who was also Lucifer's change agent, God said:
All your pomp has been brought down to the grave (Sheol or the place where the musicians demanded answers),
along with the noise of your harps;
maggots are spread out beneath you and worms cover you. Is.14:11
Musical instruments, therefore, were with Lucifer as he indwelled various change agents as he came prepared for a musical ministry. He would seduce the clergy system to offer your child so that he could get a message from the dead while your child was screaming to death. Assyria (the tallest "fir tree" in the garden of Eden) would be driven into Topheth to the musical beat of musical instruments. These agents would go to sheol which was a prepared place for a prepared people. They and their musical instruments would lose their luxurious ivory beds and lie on a bed of maggots. At Topheth, a place of ever-burning garbage and unclaimed bodies, would be consumed by the everlasting fire.
The people were so consumed with their outlawed "trumpet quartets" and "praise the lord, praise the lord" rituals that they would not hear the musical instruments "drumming" Lucifer's agents into hell. The people who "went in musical procession to the temple" did not hear the hoof beat of either Assyria or Babylonia who came to lead them by fish-hooks in the nose into captivity among the Chaldeans, a term which is equal to "astrologer."
The literal trumpet player:
Son of man, speak to the children of thy people, and say unto them, When I bring the sword upon a land, if the people of the land take a man of their coasts, and set him for their watchman (overseer): Eze 33:2
If when he seeth the sword (from "to parch through drought") come upon the land, he blow the trumpet, and warn the people; Eze 33:3
Then whosoever heareth the sound of the trumpet, and taketh not warning; if the sword come, and take him away, his blood shall be upon his own head. Eze 33:4
But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow (clang or clatter an instrument) not the trumpet,
and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchmans hand. Eze 33:6
Remember, that this is why the trumpet could not be used along with their "praise the Lord ceremonies" when they came into assembly to hear from God. (Num. 10:7)
The spiritual "trumpet player":
So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me. Eze 33:7
When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Eze 33:8
Therefore, O thou son of man, speak unto the house of Israel; Thus ye speak, saying, If our transgressions and our sins be upon us, and we pine away in them, how should we then live? Eze 33:10
A watchman came from Jerusalem and told Ezekiel that Jerusalem was smitten or captured. Ezekiel was no longer dumb and God sounded the alarm telling the people how they could escape judgment. In condemning musical worship, which will cease in the idealized temple beginning in chapter 40, God warned that:
Then shall they know that I am the Lord, when I have laid the land most desolate because of all their abominations which they have committed. Eze 33:29
Because the people were violating God's
commandment against instrumental rejoicing--which would be involved
in the idolatry He has just condemned--God told Ezekiel that they
could not hear the trumpet of the Watchman when they were looking for
musical triumph music in violation of Numbers 10:7. They had "broken
down the walls" between them and pagan idolatry and therefore God
warned:
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sitting in the
markets,
and calling unto their fellows, Mt 11:16
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Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein
most of his mighty works were
done, because they repented
not: Mt 11:20
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Job said of the organ players who were probably star worshipers
They take the timbrel and harp, and rejoice (make merry) at the sound of the organ. Jb.21:12
Therefore they say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways. Jb 21:14
Job used the "fruit of the lips" as his organ and harp:
My harp also is turned to mourning, and my organ into the voice of them that weep. Jb.30:31
The sexual context of the pipe or a many-piped organ is well documented throughout history:
"It (the pipe meaning to love passionately) was apparently a secular instrument and is never listed in the temple orchestra; only in Ps. 150:4 it is mentioned in a religious (but not ritual) function. Its ethos was not blameless at all, ase we see from Genesis Rabbah 50:
"The angels said to Lot: There are players of the pipe (organ) in the country, hence it ought to be destroyed. Its rabbinical identification with the aboda, the flute of the notorious Syrian bayaderes, emphasizes the erotic element which already the Hebrew name suggests. (Interpreter's Dictionary of the Bible, p. 460, Abingdon).
This instrumental music in worship or seduction was revealed through Jubal (or Jubal as Satan's change agent) but he had no authority to "handle" them to overpower the people with instruments and musical worship teams:
And his brothers name was Jubal: he was the father of all such as handle (meaning without authority) the harp and organ. Ge.4:21
H5748 ‛ûgâb ‛ûggâb oo-gawb', oog-gawb' From H5689 in the original sense of breathing; a reed instrument of music:-organ.
The prophets were usually opposed to what was
happening in the king's worship rituals. Therefore, Isaiah, Ezekiel
and Amos were violently opposed to musical noise either (1) when the
enemy (Assyria or Babylon) might be approaching or (2) when the
people were supposed to come before the Lord to hear
instructions.
Spurgeon, Commentary on Psalm 42
(Baptist, 1834-1892): David appears to have had a peculiarly tender remembrance of the singing of the pilgrims, and assuredly it is the most delightful part of worship and that which comes nearest to the adoration of heaven.
"Praise the Lord with the harp. Israel was at school, and used childish things to help her to learn; but in these days when Jesus gives us spiritual food, one can make melody without strings and pipes. We do not need them. They would hinder rather than help our praise. Sing unto him. This is the and best music. No instrument like the human voice.
What a degradation to supplant the intelligent song of the whole congregation by the theatrical prettiness of a quartet, bellows, and pipes. We might as well pray by machinery as praise by it. (Charles )
Organon , to, ( [ergon, erdô] ) I. an implement, instrument, engine of any kind nd more complicated construction)
Ergon [Ergô] I.work, 1. in Il. mostly of deeds of war, polemêïa erga, 3.a hard piece of work, a hard task, Il.: also, a shocking deed or act,A. instrument, implement, tool, for making or doing a thing
3 .musical instrument,
- orgi-a , iôn, ta,
- A. secret rites, secret worship, practised by the initiated, of the rites of the Cabeiri of Orpheus, Id.2.81; of Eumolpus, (Prob. cogn. with erdô, rhezô, cf. ergon, orgeôn.)
We noted above that tooting your own horn or musical disorder was against God's law except in the Exodus, warfare or in calling the scattered tribes into assembly to hear from God. This is because instrumental music and teaching just cannot take place at the same time:
When ye blow an alarm the second time, then the camps that lie on the south side shall take their journey: they shall blow an alarm for their journeys. Nu 10:6
However, when Moses called Israel together for instructions from God, they could use the trumpets much like a church bell. However, they could not then turn the edification assembly into a "praise the Lord" affair which would say that they didn't care much about hearing from God:
But when the congregation is to be gathered together, ye shall blow, but ye shall not sound an alarm. Nu 10:7
Ruwa (h7321) roo-ah'; a prim. root; to mar (espec. by breaking); fig. to split the ears (with sound), i. e. shout (for alarm or joy): - blow an alarm, cry (alarm, aloud, out), destroy, make a joyful noise, smart, shout for joy, sound an alarm, triumph.
This warning by Ezekiel was also issued in chapter two:
And he said unto me, Son of man, I send thee to the children of Israel, to a rebellious nation that hath rebelled against me: they and their fathers have transgressed against me, even unto this very day. Eze 2:3
For they are impudent children and stiffhearted. I do send thee unto them; and thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God. Eze 2:4
And they, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear, (for they are a rebellious house,) yet shall know that there hath been a prophet among them. Eze 2:5
And thou, son of man, be not afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words, though briars and thorns be with thee, and thou dost dwell among scorpions: be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they be a rebellious house. Eze 2:6
Look at how music produces briars and thorns and this is connected with the unforgivable sins.
Jesus repeated the Warning Against Musical Prophesiers:
Like the witch of Endor who used the "old wine skin" which had hardened, to mumble (base of gong) and whisper (soprano or tinkling cymbal) to get a message from the gods, the masses of old and young, male and female who prophesied when judgment was poured out were among those who appealed to God based upon their performance. Carrying the same message of the children "piping" to force Jesus (or the gods) to cast out demons or bring a good rain, Jesus said:
Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Mt 7:21 (This is like the Ab, Ab of the Familiar Spirit {h178} of the demon caller such as the Witch of Endor or the children of Lamech such as Jubal.)
Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? Mt 7:22
And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Mt 7:23
The ZOE female instructing principle. See the Hypostasis of the Archons
This was the practice of the literal effeminate priests of Baal and spiritual Jezebel who succeed in ruling over and teaching her "church." Being a prophetess undoubtedly meant that she chanted, played and danced (or swayed) to seduce as she taught:
"Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. Re.2:20 (A prophetess is also a poetic singer with musical instruments).
Prophetis (g4398) prof-ay'-tis; fem. of 4396; a female foreteller or an inspired woman: - prophetess.
In the Wisdom of Solomon Chapter 14
23 - For whether they kill children in their initiations, or celebrate secret mysteries, or hold frenzied revels with strange customs,
24 - they no longer keep either their lives or their marriages pure, but they either kill one another, or grieve one another by adultery,
25 - and all is a raging riot of blood and murder, theft and deceit, corruption, faithlessness, tumult, perjury,
26 - confusion over what is good, forgetfulness of favors, pollution of souls, sex perversion, disorder in marriage, adultery, and debauchery.
27 - For the worship of idols not to be named is the beginning and cause and end of every evil.
28 - For their worshipers either rave in exultation, or prophesy lies, or live unrighteously, or readily commit perjury;
29 - for because they trust in lifeless idols they swear wicked oaths and expect to suffer no harm.
30 - But just penalties will overtake them on two counts: because they thought wickedly of God in devoting themselves to idols, and because in deceit they swore unrighteously through contempt for holiness.
31 - For it is not the power of the things by which men swear, but the just penalty for those who sin, that always pursues the transgression of the unrighteous.
Of Jezebel, her namesake, again we quote:
And it came to pass, when Joram saw Jehu, that he said, Is it peace, Jehu? And he answered, What peace, so long as the whoredoms of thy mother Jezebel and her witchcrafts are so many? 2 Kings 9:22
We noted above that she was like the serpent in whispering a magical spell:
Kashaph (h3784) kaw-shaf'; a prim. root; prop. to whisper a spell, i. e. to inchant or practise magic: - sorcerer, (use) witch (-craft).
"Ephesus was famous for its shrine of Diana, where thousands of sacred prostitutes believed fornication brought believers into contact with deity in much the same way the Gnostics used authentia (authority) to bind the flesh and the divine together. When these women converted to Christianity they had to unlearn these pagan practices.
'Virtually without exception, female teachers among the Greeks were courtesans, such as Aspasia, who numbered Socrates and Pericles among her students.Active in every major school of philosophy, these hetairai made it evident in the course of their lectures that they were available afterwards for a second occupation.
But the Bible teaches that to seduce men in such a manner was indeed to lead them to slaughter and the halls of death (cf. Prov. 2:18; 5:5; 6:27; 9:18).
The verb authentein is thus peculiarly apt to describe both the erotic and murderous." (Trombley, Who Says Women Can't Teach, p. 177).
Jezebel could be seen as an "approved example" of pagan authentein which was both erotic and murderous. Wombley notes that apparently the leaders of the church had given Jezebel the authority because they didn't stop her. Trombley defines the uncovered prophesying in First Corinthians 11 as singing with musical instruments. Then, bless his heart, he uses Jezebel as authority for women teachers!
"Jezebel both taught and prophesied, or she taught as a prophetess, and as previously stated, the leaders and elders of this New Testament church not only permitted her to teach, but accepted her and apparently believed what she said. It stands to reason that if women were forbidden any type of teaching ministry and if Women were silent in the churches,
these Spirit-filled leaders would not have taken the time to listen to her at all. They had to give her permission to address the congregation... If Jesus didn't want any woman to teach why didn't He rebuke her and establish a precedent? (Trombley, p. 57)
What the leaders did not do, Jesus as the Alpha and Omega corrected. Trombley describes her teaching as evil when he wrote this this practice was to connect the flesh to divine as opposed to the spirit to the Divine:
"We know the Gnostics used sexual practices to bind the flesh and the divine together (Rev. 2:20). In most ancient pagan religions
the act of procreation was a mystery; they thought fornication and in some instances homosexuality
linked them to the world of the gods.Apparently, this sexual aspect of Gnosticism was incorporated with Jezebel's teaching which Jesus condemned (Rev. 3:20). The apostle Peter was aware of this problem." (Trombley, p. 176).
But the Bible teaches that to seduce men in such a manner was indeed to lead them to slaughter and the halls of death (cf. Prov. 2:18; 5:5; 6:27; 9:18).
The verb authentein is thus peculiarly apt to describe both the erotic and murderous."
Job wrote of ancient star worshipor astrology and warned those who believed that fertile crops meant that the Baal's were honoring them. Those who were prosperous because of their fertility gods did exactly what Miriam did as she led the women out with singing and dancing and playing her timbrel:
They send forth their little ones like a flock, and their children dance. Jb 21:11
They take the timbrel and harp, and rejoice (make merry) at the sound of the organ. Jb21:12 (forbidden by the Law)
They spend their days in wealth, and in a moment go down to the grave. Jb 21:13
Therefore they say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways. Jb 21:14
It is self-evident that when we "sing idle songs" or self-composed songs as a way to "praise" God while ignoring the "songs" He has "delivered once for all to the saints" that we do not desire the knowledge of thy ways.
"Baal-worship had a colorful, impressive ritual, conducted in elaborate temples, adorned with Phoenician art and with Phoenician ingenuity,
and also apparently garnished with what, in that day, passed for very stirring music.
This deity, together with such companionate female symbols of sex and fertility as Anath, Asherah and Astarte,
touched a mystic chord deep within the being of many an Israelite of both the northern and the southern kingdoms. Even in this present day and age,
our religious interests are strong or weak pretty much in accord with our attachment to a community or parish church. And in these other times,
the nearby 'high place,' or local temple of Baal (2 kings 10:21), in contrast to a Temple far removed from all but residents of Jerusalem, gave heathen ways a strong competitive pull in both Israel and Judah, (Keys, Nelson Beecher, Story of the Bible World, C. S. Hammond, p. 65).s
Wineskins of Bacchus
By warning against Bacchus worship in Ephesus, Paul shows that pagan music and wine always go together. Literal or "new wine exhilaration" was always associated with the religious festivals which had deliberately adopted the musical prophesying of the high places.
Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink (drugged); that continue until night, till wine inflame them Isa 5:11
And the harp, and the viol, the tabret, and pipe, and wine, are in their feasts (religious feasts Am 5:21 which starved them to death for the word): but they regard not the work of the Lord, neither consider the operation of his hands. Isa 5:12
Therefore my people are gone into captivity, because they have no knowledge: and their honourable men are famished, and their multitude dried up with thirst. Isa 5:13
The people starved for the Word while the leaders used their stolen wealth to consume it upon themselves. They indeed practiced a literal wineskin gospel but the wine was stolen as the women became the rulers over the men. They were undoubtedly the primary musical worship teams used to moderate the effects of the wine gospel. Instrumental music to produce a spiritual high is as old as Babylon.
Counter added 10/29/04 at 2300 Rev 5.31.07
