On the day that David had the ark brought back into Jerusalem, he gave a handful of people an interesting job description. In I Chronicles 16, Asaph and 9 other Levites were appointed to minister before the Lord, to make petition, to give thanks and to praise the Lord. At least part of their ministry was musical-to play harps, lyres, cymbals, and trumpets (the latter were played by two priests).
These were what we would call worship leaders. Their leadership was by example-they were to be fully present in their worship. Asaph, the chief, was particularly picked by God to be a leader in this area. He (and his family) wrote several songs (psalms) and were gifted in singing.
But to have that be your job–talking with God, leading people to God. Pretty cool. and pretty awesome. and pretty serious.
So who are the levites today?
