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Chronicles 13 reminds me of how many people sincerely want to honor
God, but they do it in ways that are contrary to His Word. Being
sincere does not make it right no matter how enthusiastic we are!
The chapter begins with King David, finally leading the united nation
of Israel. Wanting to be a good king, he, “conferred
with each of his officers, the commanders“.
David came up with an outstanding idea, “Let
us bring the ark of our God back to us“.
He even pointed out the weakness of King Saul’s leadership, “For
we did not inquire of it during the reign of Saul“.
Saul basically ignored God’s wisdom, but don’t miss the fact
that in this situation David consulted everyone EXCEPT God. “Let
us send word far and wide to the rest of our brothers throughout the
territories of Israel… to come and join us“.
And we read, “David
and all the Israelites with him went… to bring up from there the
ark of God”
to the new capital in Jerusalem. Its important to point out exactly
what the Ark of the Convenient was. It was not just a symbol of God;
it was the very place where the presence of Almighty God dwelt. It
was the place where the blood of the sacrificial lamb was sprinkled
to cover the sins of the people. It was a place of Judgment and
Mercy at the same time. It was the most Holy Object in the Temple.
The
chapter continues, “They
moved the ark of God from Abinadab’s house on a new cart, with Uzzah
and Ahio guiding it“.
Remember that the ark had been kept there for over twenty years. To
Abinadab’s sons, it probably became an ordinary thing. “David
and all the Israelites were celebrating with all their might before
God, with songs and with harps, lyres, tambourines, cymbals and
trumpets“.
These guys were enthusiastic that they were honoring God!
Unfortunately, they did not follow God’s command. Exodus 25:14
is very clear that there was only one way to move the ark, “Insert
the poles into the rings on the sides of the chest to carry it“.
And Numbers
4:15 adds, “They
shall not touch any holy thing lest they die“.
Sadly,
we see the consequences of treating God’s righteousness just
another thing to add to the stuff on our cart. “Uzzah
reached out his hand to steady the ark, because the oxen stumbled“.
“The
Lord’s anger burned against Uzzah, and he struck him down because he
had put his hand on the ark. So he died there before God“.
As a parent, this is a very real example of what can happen to our
children when they are around the things of God without having a
reverence for God. Proverbs 9:10 warns those who desire to follow
godly wisdom, “Fear
of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom“.
Note
David’s reaction to this terrible event; “Then
David was angry because the Lord’s wrath had broken out against
Uzzah“.
How
can I ever bring the ark of God to me?”
This
is the great question all of us need to ponder. David had the
realization that we are not worthy. Every one of us has fallen short
of the glory of God. And that is the reason Jesus died on the cross.
He became the one place where God’s judgment and God’s mercy
met. It is only by His blood that the debt of our sins is paid.
When we receive Jesus as our Savior, our relationship with God is
restored. We no longer need the symbol because we have the Savior.
Gods Word tell us how to please Him, “This
is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved
and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one
mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself
as a ransom for all men”
(1 Tim 2:4). God will meet you right where you are.