Afterthought
Puritan Board Senior
For those who agree that instruments ought not to be used in the worship of God, thoughts on answering an objection from the song of Moses in Exodus 15? Instruments are used, but they are not tied to sacrifice or a Levitical order in this case. So, the argument goes, instruments in the worship of God are not always part of the ceremonial law. (I am trying to argue without the regulative principle, but this might be a place where assuming it is necessary to prove the point.)
I have my own thoughts, but I would like to answer in a more persuasive and simple manner. Thoughts? My own thoughts: If this is an example of public worship (some say "national celebration;" others say national celebration and public worship together), the instruments are tied to the prophets, which instruments were later incorporated by David into the temple worship (need to consider the progressive nature of revelation). So it would seem there is a "prophetic" function to these musical instruments (as is the case with later examples) which later serves a "typical" function in the temple. They might not serve a typical purpose right now, but they are still part of the OT system of worship that is tied to a prophetic guild. (An objection might arise here: But we see singing here for the first time in the worship of God before the law of Moses, and this is often used to prove the non-ceremonial nature of the singing; so instruments and dancing before the law of Moses is given shows these are non-ceremonial in nature!)
I have my own thoughts, but I would like to answer in a more persuasive and simple manner. Thoughts? My own thoughts: If this is an example of public worship (some say "national celebration;" others say national celebration and public worship together), the instruments are tied to the prophets, which instruments were later incorporated by David into the temple worship (need to consider the progressive nature of revelation). So it would seem there is a "prophetic" function to these musical instruments (as is the case with later examples) which later serves a "typical" function in the temple. They might not serve a typical purpose right now, but they are still part of the OT system of worship that is tied to a prophetic guild. (An objection might arise here: But we see singing here for the first time in the worship of God before the law of Moses, and this is often used to prove the non-ceremonial nature of the singing; so instruments and dancing before the law of Moses is given shows these are non-ceremonial in nature!)