"When I reach the pearly gates, I've got a question for God." Professor Smith removed her spectacles for polishing and glanced up at her music history class. "Why was it that Handel was blessed with the composition of Messiah instead of Bach?" I rubbed my chin, carefully weighing her words. This question had already troubled me on several occasions. Bach and Handel were two very different men. Bach was a devoted father and husband, using the funds he acquired from his music in order to support a large family. Handel was single with no known children, using the income he made from his music in order to line his pockets. Bach spent the majority of his efforts composing sacred cantatas and religious works. Handel poured the majority of his energies into creating operatic masterpieces. Bach was humble. Handel was proud. Bach loved the Lord, studied his Bible regularly, and dedicated all of his compositions to God's glory. Handel displayed little interest in spiritual matters throughout his lifetime. The one exception was his testimony of a celestial revelation while composing Messiah. So, why did God inspire Handel to write this monumental work instead of Bach? Wasn't Bach much more worthy? Didn't he deserve the recognition? 
Professor Smith replaced her spectacles on the bridge of her nose and continued. "Perhaps if Bach had written Messiah, we never would have heard it..." What an interesting thought. Bach died in obscurity. People considered his music old-fashioned. Over a third of his sacred cantatas have been lost or destroyed. The prestigious Handel, on the other hand, was well-known and respected throughout his entire lifetime. People paid attention to his music. Perhaps this is why God chose him to be the bearer of His inspiring, musical message. I wonder too, if it was a way for God to reach out to Handel personally - something that Bach already had...
4 comments:
God works in odd ways.
Maybe Handel stole the Messiah from Bach (that's how it got written so fast)
The cantatas and the Messiah, each point me to the loving God. I am thankful that He is glorified, and I am thankful that the music is easily accessible today. What if we only heard "live" music! How could you ever commit to memory the beauty of the words and the score? I look forward to meeting Bach in Heaven, and to singing the Messiah there as well. I hope Handel will be there too!
I agree with Paul; God works in ways that we don't always understand. What is so beautiful with God, is that His plans are always perfect!
It is very interesting to think about, but as life goes you just never know who will end up doing something great.
It is usually surprising to us as humans when God uses people that we would never choose to do His work, but He always knows exactly what he is doing.
That is so awesome and loving.
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