God's Sign

"Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool."  Isaiah 1:18 (NIV)

In the post titled "His Design" I continued to define God's Orchestra using Merriam-Webster's Dictionary. From the definition of 'design' I could see the emphasis on the word sign. When I replaced 'design' with 'sign' God’s Orchestra became God's Sign. 

This revelation reinforces the my very first notion that God's Orchestra is all around us.  The people in our lives; every conversation we have; the books we read; the songs we sing; every action we take; they are all individual notes within God’s Orchestra.  Your body is your instrument; your life is your opus. “...for in Him we live and move and have our being...” Acts 17:28 (NKJV)

The word sign dates back to the 13^th century and has it’s etymology in Middle English, from Middle French signer; from Latin signare to mark, sign, seal, from signum. 

sign 1 a : CROSS 2 b : to place a sign on c : to represent or indicate by a sign
2 a : to affix a signature to : ratify or attest by hand or seal <sign a bill into law> <the prisoner signed a confession> b : to assign or convey formally <signed over his property to his brother> c : to write down (one's name)
3 : to communicate by making a sign or by sign language
4 : to engage or hire by securing the signature of on a contract of employment -- often used with up or on
intransitive senses
1 : to write one's name in token of assent, responsibility, or obligation
2 a : to make a sign or signal b : to use sign language
- sign·ee /"sI-'nE/ noun
- sign·er /'sI-n&r/ noun

And the very first entry for sign was 'cross'.  Before I went to look up the definition of cross, I knew what I would find.  WOW!  Right there in the Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary, God’s Orchestra pointed me to the Cross.   Replacing 'sign' with 'cross' I now have God’s Cross! 

"For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." 1 Corinthians 1:18 (NIV)

His Ways

     You are God’s song.  As His people, we are called to be a praise and an honor before all the nations of the earth, by telling of all the good he has done unto us. 

“Then it shall be to Me a name of joy, a praise, and an honor before all nations of the earth, who shall hear all the good that I do to them; they shall fear and tremble for all the goodness and all the prosperity that I provide for it.”  - Jeremiah 33:9

   

     David repeated over and over in Psalms to sing unto the Lord for the marvelous things he has done,

“Oh, sing to the LORD a new song! For He has done marvelous things; His right hand and His holy arm have gained Him the victory.” - Psalms 98:1

     We are to make a joyful noise unto the lord.

“Make a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands!”  - Psalms 100:1

  

     As I prayed about the meaning of God’s Orchestra, and how to define it, I was led to look up the definition of orchestra.  According to Merriam-Webster OnLine, the word orchestra, a noun, was first used in 1606, well after the Bible was written, but it’s etymology is Latin; and from Greek orchestra; and orcheisthai to dance; 

"or·ches·tra, 1 a : the circular space used by the chorus in front of the proscenium in an ancient Greek theater b : a corresponding semicircular space in a Roman theater used for seating important persons
2 a : the space in front of the stage in a modern theater that is used by an orchestra b : the forward section of seats on the main floor of a theater c : the main floor of a theater
3 : a group of musicians including especially string players organized to perform ensemble music."

     For this discourse, I would like to focus our attention to the third definition.  God’s Orchestra could then be described as “a group of musicians including especially string players organized to perform ensemble music”.  Since orchestra is a noun, I needed the verb, which would describe the ‘how to’ of God’s Orchestra.  

The word orchestrate, a transitive verb, found it’s beginning around 1880 and is derived from orchestra. 

"or·ches·trate, -trat·ed; -trat·ing, 1 a : to compose or arrange (music) for an orchestra b : to provide with orchestration <orchestrate a ballet>
2 : to arrange or combine so as to achieve a desired or maximum effect <orchestrated preparations for the banquet> - or·ches·tra·tor also or·ches·trat·er, noun."

From this definition we can see the emphasis on the word arrange.  

While we may not understand how God arranges His Orchestra, we can choose to trust Him enough to play our instrument in God's Orchestra.