May 20, 2015 – “Y” is for Yubal

“Yubal”, also known as Jubal was a descendant of Cain, the son of Lamech and Adah, and the brother of Jabal, and half-brother of Tubal-cain and Naamah. Jubal is described as the “ancestor of all who played the harp and flute.”

If you remember the story of Cain and Abel, you will remember that Cain and Abel each take a gift to G*d, Cain an offering from the fruit of the ground, for he was a farmer, and Abel, from the choicest of his flocks, their fat portions, for he was a keeper of sheep. And G*d favored Abel’s gift, but did not favor Cain’s. And Cain’s “countenance fell” – for he was angry. And of course we know the rest of the story, that Cain killed Abel, the first murder in the bible, and for that act, or that sin, Cain is forced to wander the earth.

Cain marries and lives east of Eden, in the land of Nod. Cain has a son and names him Enoch. From the descendants of Enoch comes the son of Lamech named Yubal. Music has always been an important part of the worship of G*d – it seems playing the harp or lyre is often mentioned in the conversation of worship from the earliest times. We know that music plays an important part in setting mood, in offering praise, in promoting participation in the act of worship, and in supporting the act of worship. As Lutherans, we believe music is an important part of our traditions and of our worship experience. When music is supporting and sometimes leading the worship experience, we all have better and more meaningful worship lives.

Pastor Dave