Read posts from the Hello My Name Is series

Hello My Name Is Asaph

So [David] left Asaph and his brothers there before the ark of the covenant of the LORD to minister before the ark regularly, as every day’s work required; 1 Chronicles 16:37

Perhaps the greatest celebration in David’s reign as king was when the Ark of the Covenant was brought to Jerusalem. Even though David was prevented from building a temple to house the Ark, he made every preparation for that time. Not only did he procure building materials and furnishings, but he also considered how to best manage the utilize those ordained by God to serve, that is, the priests and Levites. Because David was a musician and songwriter himself, it is no surprise that the role music was to play in Israel’s worship was a priority for the king.

David chose three men: Heman, Asaph, and Ethan to oversee the worship music. They weren’t literal brothers but rather belonged to the same tribe. All three men are mentioned performing multiple duties and we have psalms written by each of them. Pulling together some snippets about these men from 1 Chronicles, it seems Heman served as the primary singer, the lead, the director even. Asaph seems to have been the primary songwriter. Ethan then, may have been the lead musician. Perhaps, the first worship band.

So how did Asaph and the others lead worship? What was their philosophy and can we learn anything from it?

Asaph’s worship was a daily activity (1 Chronicles 16:37). Somehow, I don’t think worship was just a vocation for him. I doubt David would have chosen him if it were. The Message says Asaph and the others were “responsible for the needs of worship around the clock.” That takes devotion both to God and to the congregation they served. They viewed worship as a calling, as a sacred trust, rather than a chore or obligation.

Asaph’s worship centered on God’s character, His words, and His actions (Psalm 50, 73-83). If we do a quick read of Asaph’s, several themes emerge. God’s holiness. Lots of holiness. His power and might. His dealings with men. His judgment of the wicked. But also His restoration of those who have sinned, and His intervention on behalf His people.

Asaph’s worship was inspired (1 Chronicles 25:1-7) These verses mention Asaph and the others prophesying and by Hezekiah’s time, he was called Asaph the seer. (2 Chronicles 29:30). From what we know of the New Testament gift of prophesying, it doesn’t necessarily mean to foretell the future. Even in the Old Testament, the prophets didn’t always make predictions. They did however always deliver God’s message, His unvarnished truth to the hearers. When we clearly understand God’s message to us, our natural response is worship.

Is worship a daily activity, a weekly routine or a special event for you? Is it, or should it be all three?
What role does music play in your personal worship? In the worship at your church?

Hello My Name Is Tychicus

By Paula Wiseman

Tychicus, a beloved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me. I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts, Colossians 4:7-8

When you read Paul’s letters, he often sends greetings back and forth or mentions people who would have been known to his first-century readers but whose identities are lost to history. However, there are a few people, that with a careful reading a more detailed picture emerges. Tychicus is one of those guys. His first mention with Paul is in Acts 20:4 when Paul was in Ephesus. That leads many to suspect he was from Ephesus or at least the area nearby. Paul had been warned that trouble was waiting for him on his planned journey to Jerusalem. That didn’t deter Paul or any of his party from making the trip.

Now let’s be honest, we fuss if a flight gets canceled or if there are construction delays. We have no idea what an undertaking it was in to agree to accompany someone on a trip in the first century. Tychicus stayed with Paul throughout his arrest, through three trials and through the voyage to Rome which included a shipwreck.

He delivered the letters to Colossae and Ephesus and maybe the one to Philemon. This involved walking across Italy AND Greece AND another hundred miles across Asia Minor (with passage by ship across the Adriatic and Aegean Seas in between, of course). Finally, he was sent back to Ephesus to fill in as pastor for Timothy so Timothy could visit Paul in prison one last time. (2 Timothy 4:12)

All of those qualities made Tychicus the kind of guy worth emulating, but Paul’s own words about him are worth a closer look.

A beloved brother – Not only was he a believer and follower of Jesus Christ, but he was a beloved one. Tychicus had a heart and an attitude that endeared him to the apostle. Do we have that kind of heart and attitude?

A faithful minister – Tychicus was entrusted with difficult, yet critical tasks and he faithfully completed them. He demonstrated his faithfulness not only to the Lord who called him but the one he served with. Are we that loyal and determined?

A fellow servant – Tychicus was first and foremost a servant. He clearly didn’t seek attention or prominence or even recognition. He willingly worked to do whatever was needed. Do we exhibit that same selflessness and humility?

Hardly as well-known as Timothy or even Barnabas or Silas, Tychicus stands as an example of a beloved, faithful servant who served not only his Lord but devoted his life to serving the body of Christ. He’s certainly worth knowing and emulating.

What are some ways you serve or can serve?
Would others use Paul’s words about Tychicus to describe you?

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Hello My Name Is Abijah

By Paula Wiseman

Hezekiah became king when he was twenty-five years old, and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Abijah the daughter of Zechariah. 2 Chronicles 29:1

Over the last couple of weeks, we’ve looked at some “footnote” people in Scripture. They are people whose stories aren’t the most familiar, but their character and faithfulness are just as solid. For today, I’ll say up front that most of my case is by inference. Let me explain.

Hezekiah became king of Judah in 729 BC. Now, he had probably been a co-regent with his father Ahaz since 715 BC, or since he was eleven years old. Ahaz was not a good king, morally or politically. In spite of the advice of prophets like Isaiah, he led Judah to a very dark place. He shut up the doors of the Temple so no one could worship (2 Chr 28:24), gave the utensils inside to try to pay off the Assyrians and had a new altar built to match the one he saw in Syria. His immersion in the worship of Molech was so complete that he sacrificed his own son to the false god (2 Kings 16:3). The historian summed him up this way: Now in the time of his distress King Ahaz became increasingly unfaithful to the LORD. This is that King Ahaz. 2 Chronicles 28:22

So, with that kind of example, it’s almost miraculous that Hezekiah turned out to be the godly king that he was. Sure Isaiah was around, but if Ahaz didn’t pay attention to the prophet, why would his son? Someone laid a tremendous foundation for Hezekiah, a foundation so strong that when he was no longer a co-regent but a king in his own right, he began to turn the nation back to God.

With that inference, I’m guessing it was his mother, Abijah. She would have had a great deal of contact with and influence over her son during his early years, the years before his father took him to begin instructing him in the ways of the court. Perhaps young Hezekiah’s grandfather, Jotham, a godly king had some influence. Perhaps, Abijah’s parents also played a role.

Someone was courageous enough and committed enough to stand against culture. Whoever they were, people in the future king’s life pointed him toward strong, active faith in God. Admittedly, that’s not always enough. Hezekiah had to embrace that faith for himself, but seeing people around him, like the prophets, like his mother and grandparents perhaps, helped solidify that. As believers in Christ, we have to exemplify that same courage and commitment.

Someone took instructing the next generation seriously. We don’t know what God has in store for the young people around us, but we know that they won’t pick up the tenets of faith by osmosis. We have to be intentional, and take advantage of the time and opportunities we have, whether it’s our kids, our grandkids, the kids at church, or the kids in the neighborhood.

Someone understood what was at stake. Embracing the idolatry of the Syrians and selling out to the Assyrians threatened the nation of Judah’s very existence. Unfortunately, they were a minority. Less than a hundred and fifty years later, Judah was devastated by Babylon. We have to understand that while society is at risk, the eternal destinies of countless people are even more threatened by everything from apathy and indifference to outright hostility. We must invest in the people around us.

Who are you influencing for Christ?
Who influenced and instructed you?

Previous weeks: Obadiah, Ebed-Melech

Hello My Name Is Obadiah

By Paula Wiseman

And Ahab had called Obadiah, who was in charge of his house. (Now Obadiah feared the LORD greatly.) 1 Kings 18:3

Obadiah means “servant of Yahweh.” There are eleven different Obadiahs mentioned in the Old Testament, including the author of a short book of prophecy. The one we want to focus on served in the court of King Ahab. In fact, he was in charge of the royal palace, a position of unique access and deep trust.

Obadiah served after the upheaval that split the nation of Israel into two separate countries– Judah in the south, and in the north, Samaria (also called Ephraim and Israel to keep it extra confusing.). Ahab was the king of Israel and ruled with his wife, Jezebel. They promoted idol worship in Israel and Jezebel went so far as to pronounce a death sentence on any prophets of Yahweh, carrying out that sentence with impunity on an untold number.

Obadiah, however, at great personal risk and cost — this was during a prolonged famine — protected and provided for God’s messengers.

For so it was, while Jezebel massacred the prophets of the LORD, that Obadiah had taken one hundred prophets and hidden them, fifty to a cave, and had fed them with bread and water. 1 Kings 18:4

He was also the one Elijah approached and requested a meeting with Ahab to end the famine.

So why should we stop and consider this bureaucrat?

He lived up to his name. His actions proved that he served the Living God. We are called Christians, which means Christ-like. Do we exemplify that in our daily routine?

He didn’t let culture influence him. Let’s be honest … It would have been much easier, much less stress and fewer headaches for Obadiah if he had taken his cues from the regime. Go along to get along. But he didn’t. He feared the LORD greatly. He was a devoted follower and a devout worshiper, and he ordered his life around that.

He didn’t get discouraged and give up when culture didn’t change because of his influence. Obadiah didn’t have any more impact on Ahab than the king had on his chief of staff. He may have had moments or even seasons of frustration and discouragement but he wasn’t marked by them. And he didn’t soften his faith to try to make it more palatable.

He stayed in a difficult situation because that’s where God was using him. It would be reasonable to argue that a good, godly man like Obadiah should not be part of such an evil, corrupt court as the one run by Ahab and Jezebel. No doubt we face situations where an exit is our best option. But then Jesus prayed, “I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one.” (John 17:15). So clearly there are times when we should stay. James tells us “Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.” (James 1:27). Obadiah was able to keep himself unspotted and in a position where he was available. Difficulties are not always a sign that God wants us to move on.

Are you living up to His name?
Are there situations where you need to stick to your faith in spite of the culture?
Are you in a place– maybe even a difficult one– where God is using you?

Last week: Ebed-Melech, Next week: Abijah

Hello My Name Is Ebed-Melech

By Paula Wiseman

Ever heard of Ebed-Melech? He’s not one of the popular Sunday school stories, but perhaps he should be. He was an official in the court of King Zedekiah. But here’s the thing. He was a Gentile. An Ethiopian. He proved to have far more courage and character than any of Judah’s leadership, and that fact did not go unnoticed by God.

Here’s a quick backstory. Judah was ready to fall to the Babylonians for their persistent and unrepentant idolatry. The fall of the northern kingdom of Israel a century before hadn’t given them pause. In fact, when prophets like Jeremiah warned them of their coming destruction, they instead believed their misfortune was because they didn’t worship idols ENOUGH. Further, they put guys like Jeremiah in prison, or worse.

Zedekiah was the last king of Judah, and he was there because the Babylonians installed him as king. His only power was what the Babylonians allowed, and it wasn’t much. He was not much different from the rest of Judah – he wanted God to bless him, but he had no interest in obeying what God said. God’s message for Zedekiah: Thus says the LORD: ‘Do not deceive yourselves, saying, “The Chaldeans will surely depart from us,” for they will not depart. For though you had defeated the whole army of the Chaldeans who fight against you, and there remained only wounded men among them, they would rise up, every man in his tent, and burn the city with fire.’ “ Jeremiah 37:9-10.

Needless to say, Jeremiah was hated by members of the royal court. They undoubtedly thought the best way to ensure Judah’s (and their own) security was to get as cozy with Babylon as possible. And to shut Jeremiah up. Permanently. They made Jeremiah out to be a traitor who was destroying the morale of the army and the people, and they asked the king’s permission to execute the prophet. Zedekiah said, “Look, he is in your hand. For the king can do nothing against you.” (Jeremiah 38:5) So much for being king.

The court members dropped Jeremiah in a muddy pit with the intent that he die of thirst or exposure or suffocation. Or all three. They weren’t picky.

Enter Ebed-Melech. As soon as he heard about this (38:7) he confronted the king– in front of his court. “My lord the king, these men have done evil in all that they have done to Jeremiah the prophet …” (38:9) And the king, to his credit, gave Ebed-Melech a contingent of thirty men to go pull the prophet out of the hole.

God noticed Ebed-Melech’s courage and gave Jeremiah a message to pass on to him. When the Babylonians came to destroy Jerusalem, Ebed-Melech would be divinely protected.

For I will surely deliver you, and you shall not fall by the sword; but your life shall be as a prize to you, because you have put your trust in Me,” says the LORD.’ “ Jeremiah 39:18

So why is this obscure story about this little-known guy worth discussing? Everything in Scripture is there to teach us something. This story is no different.

In a nation that has largely abandoned its belief in God, we must exhibit moral courage. Ebed-Melech was not afraid to take an unpopular, risky stand for right.

We must not hesitate to act. Ebed-Melech could not afford to wait a week or a month. Nor could he afford to wait for someone more suited, better positioned, or more qualified to act. Jeremiah’s life depended on it and with the Babylonians returning, Ebed-Melech’s own life depended on it.

We must be prepared to see things through. Ebed-Melech was more than willing to take the thirty men and stay until he was sure the prophet was safe. He wasn’t content to sit in the back and spout off about what should be done or discuss theories. He was ready to get his hands dirty.

Is there a situation in your life that requires moral courage?
Is there something you have been hesitating over that you need to resolve to take action?
Is there something you are resisting getting fully involved in although you have identified a need?
Do you think God has noticed?

Next week: Obadiah