Kelli Trujillo Supporter Minister, Mother, Grandmother, Teacher, Musician

The exact reason as to why power was released to Elisha via the music of the harpist isn't specifically given in this passage, but we can deduce some reasons from the scriptures and other incidents in the Bible.

The first idea that comes to me is that where praise is offered, God is present. Psalms 22:3 tells us, "But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel." (KJV) Another version says this: "Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel." (ESV) When we praise God, He is inclined to reveal the closeness of His presence to us. The harpist was brought to offer songs of worship to God in order to invite the presence of God.

Second, it was common practice at that time and in that part of the world to call upon musicians to calm the mind and ease stress. It makes sense that Elisha might call upon a musician, as many did in his culture, to reduce the stress he probably carried as a prophet of God in a tumultuous time. He would need a clear mind to be able to discern the voice and will of God.

Another example of this is in 1 Samuel 16: 14-23, when David was called upon to play the lyre for Saul. An evil spirit had been sent to Saul to torment him, but when David played for Saul, the evil spirit departed. My opinion is that David probably played songs of worship for Saul since he was inclined to write worship songs, many of which are recorded in the Book of Psalms.

Third, songs of worship have the power to break the powers of darkness and to make way for God to move. In Acts 16: 23-26 we find the account of Paul and Silas, who literally sang themselves out of prison! Having been unjustly locked up for preaching the gospel, they sang praise to God for the privilege of being persecuted for Him, and as a result, every person in the prison was set free.

Fourth, praise paves the way for victory. In Joshua 6 we find the account of the Israelites taking Jericho. The priests blew trumpets in praise to God every day for six days as the company of Israel marched around the city wall, and no other word or sound was uttered. On the seventh day, the priests did the same, then blew a loud trumpet blast, followed by the shouts of the people. As a result, the walls of Jericho fell flat.

Here's the bottom line: Worship helps us to raise our minds and hearts above the stress of our circumstances, and helps us instead to focus on God, who is able to deliver us from every battle, trial, and source of stress and strife. Elisha probably called upon the harpist to help him clear his mind and focus solely on God in order to discern the will of God at a crucial time.

June 26 2015 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report