Friday, January 14, 2011

Handlers of Harps and Organs

I haven't read the early parts of Genesis in a long time--except via Milton in Paradise Lost, which I love, but it's obviously not scripture.

So, this time through, I noticed a new thing.  I don't know what to make of it, except that I like it.  I like that in Genesis Chapter 4, we're told:

20And Adah bare Jabal: he was the father of such as dwell in tents, and of such as have cattle.
 21And his brother's name was Jubal: he was the father of all such as handle the harp and organ.
 22And Zillah, she also bare Tubalcain, an instructer of every artificer in brass and iron

I think it's really great that we get three genres of work listed here.  Two of them, tending cattle and making metal things, are very practical.  But one of them is just beautiful--Jubal's line of harp and organ handlers. 

Lately I've been noticing everywhere I look in the Bible how God provides for us abundantly.  And this, to me, seems like another instance of that.  Earlier in the reading, He provided coats of skins to replace the aprons of fig leaves--a real step up in the world of clothing.  And not even an entirely necessary one given the climate.  Just an abundant one.  And then we get Cain's promise of protection--anyone who kills him will be avenged sevenfold.  Abundant.  And, finally, we get harps and organs--ways to make music and not just to make a living.  Joyfully and beautifully abundant.

So often I tend to focus on the "lacks" I feel or experience in my walk with God and not on His abundant provisions.  In those moments, I'm going to try to keep Jubal, the father of all such as handle the harp and organ, in mind.

PS--To me, it seemed like there must be some connection between the name "Jubal" and the word "jubilate" but the OED just lists Latin origins in the etymology.  Anyone know better?

2 comments:

  1. That's a great question about Jubal and jubilant. I hope Jubal is the origin, not only of those who play harps and organs, but also of the term. Furthermore, your post reminded me of a song I've heard about Jubal. The version I heard was Kathleen Battle. The words were "Oh, had I Jubal's lyre, Or Miriam's tuneful voice, To sounds like his I would aspire, In songs like hers rejoice." A quick Google search reveals that the music is by Handel. Here's a link to a YouTube performance by Kathleen Battle, though this computer doesn't have the plug-ins to play it, so I can't say whether it's any good. But I hadn't thought about Jubal in Genesis as the Jubal in the song before your post. So thanks. And thanks for leading the blogging charge, B.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNr-FuFG5tU

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  2. I immediately thought of Jubal Early. Such a fictional sounding name.

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