God has a symphony.
We define the word as an intricate composition of music. I imagine diverse parts that are coordinated into a whole and fit the composer’s design.
We get our word symphony from the Greek word symphonia. It is made of two words that mean “together” and “sound.” That is much like how we use it when referring to a group of musicians making sound together.
It is not always the case that the definition of the compound of words shows us what the word means, but with symphonia it does. Its use in the Old and New Testaments of the Bible is consistent with such an understanding.
The Old Testament was originally written in Hebrew. Two hundred and fifty years before Jesus was born, the Septuagint was made. It is a Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures. It uses the word symphonia in Daniel 3 to describe the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery together “in symphony” (vv 5, 7, 10, 15). The way the word was used did not change much in the next two and a half centuries. In Luke 15, Jesus’ description of the celebration of the return of the prodigal son described the older brother drawing near and hearing “music” (vs 25). He used the word symphonia to describe musicians playing together.
Using this word picture, we have a vivid illustration of how the inspiration of the Bible worked.
When the addition of Gentiles to the church was a point of sharp contention, there was a meeting in Jerusalem to discuss the matter. The simple, yet important, decision was that the Scriptures taught that it was always in God’s plan for the Gentiles to be part of the church. Before elaborating with Old Testament Scripture, James began his case by explaining, “with this the words of the prophets agree…” (Acts 15:15).
“Agree” is translated from a word related to symphony. James was saying that the prophets came together to make a united sound about the future church. They could do this because, “Holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit” (2 Pet 1:21, Unless otherwise stated: Scripture is taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Used by permission. All rights reserved).
“All Scripture is given by the inspiration of God” (2 Tim 3:16).
Inspiration is from another compound word meaning “God-breathed.” From the beginning of time, God has sounded through His instruments, the prophets. They each, with their distinct voices, contributed parts to the chorus. At the time of their performance, the speakers did not often know how their part would fit into the whole (1 Pet 1:10-12). They were ridiculed – even killed – for their seemingly misplaced roles (Matt 5:11, 12; 23:29-32).
As the Composer and Director designed, in due time, Christ died for the ungodly (Rom 5:6). The crescendo of our Father’s piece came into immaculate harmony as Jesus bore the sins of all mankind, defeated death, and ascended to sit on His throne.
The main symphony He composed can be seen blended together in the pages of His Word today. It was spoken and written just as He moved His servants to speak and write.
Are you listening?
Van
