One Body - Many Parts

I have to admit this next verse has had me stumped for days. I've been researching, cross-referencing, reading and re-reading. To tell you the truth, I think it's the all details that have me blocked... the names - I cannot read properly (and am unable to find pronunciations for them), the many possible duties of a prophet (prophesied) - I'm having trouble pinpointing the function here, and the significance of the harp - why is this instrument specifically named... All questions that I am coming up short on. Are the details important? I'm guessing, yes. Otherwise, why would God have them recorded in His Holy Book. These are real people, with real purpose, using their God-given gifts to praise the Lord and do His work... just like us.

"As for Jeduthun, from his sons:  Gedaliah, Zeri, Jeshaiah, Shimei, Hashabiah and Mattithiah, six in all, under the supervision of their father Jeduthun, who prophesied, using the harp in thanking and praising the Lord." 1 Chronicles 25:3

It might help some if you also have the information from the previous verse:

"David, together with the commanders of the army, set apart some of the sons of Asaph, Heman and Jeduthun for the ministry of prophesying, accompanied by harps, lyers and cymbals. Here is the list of the men who performed this service:" 1 Chronicles 25:1

In my research, what I did find very interesting is this bit about the detail and the importance David placed on organizing worship:

David's preparations for the temple were not restricted to amassing materials for the building; he also arranged for its administration and worship. Unique to Chronicles, these details of the organization of the theocracy (God's kingdom) were of vital concern in the Chronicler's own day. Characteristically for the Chronicler, details about religious and sacred matters take precedence over those that are civil and secular.

Isn't it interesting how that priority seems to have flipped completely in our day and age?? I don't know... just thought that was noteworthy.

Prophets, from what I've uncovered, wear several hats... they preach, exhort, explain or foretell. The messages they revealed were imparted to the believer by the Holy Spirit. They were many times a prediction or an indication of the will of God. The statements were true and were typically beyond their knowledge... aka "News to them." I found that the actions of prophets were sometimes accompanied by musical instruments - so in this case this fact is true. All that being said, I found another definition or description of prophesying that seems to relate to this verse more directly - an ecstatic praising of God inspired by the Spirit of the Lord.

After gathering these bits and pieces, the message that is being revealed to me is that it takes many people with gifts and talents of rather diverse intricacies and details to do the work of the Lord. In order for the church to grow, for the good news of salvation to be spread worldwide, for our communities to flourish, and our faith in Christ to shine for all to see... we must take the focus off of ourselves and realize and do our part. Praising God and thanking Him properly takes all of us to do the detail that He has planned for us to do.

"But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it." 1 Corinthians 12:18-20, 27

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." Psalm 139:13-14

I highly encourage you to go to your Bible and read the entire 12th chapter of 1 Corinthians to find out more about spiritual gifts and the parts that we play in God's work for us.

I am thankful that our Creator made us each uniquely detailed - so distinctly different from one another. Not only does it allow for the work to be done well, it makes for a beautiful variety and avoids monotony. Therefore, we won't be bored... most certainly not... there's much work to do. Discover your part and dig in!

"And be thankful." Colossians 3:15b