2 Samuel 6:1-11
Verse 5 The Lord’s anger burned against Uzzah because of his irreverent act; therefore God struck him down, and he died there beside the ark of God.
Our character today had all the right intentions, he wanted to bring the Ark of the Covenant back to God’s people after it had made its rounds in Philistine territory following its being captured during a battle. Now that he was king, David wanted to bring it back where the people would feel like God was with them again.
While God wasn’t upset about the Ark being brought back to the City of David, He hadn’t changed the protocol of moving it. We can look at David’s view and relate about just making it happen, but God is a stickler for the proper protocols being followed as He has commanded. We have to remember this wasn’t just some random box covered in gold. This box had a lid known as the mercy seat which was the place God told Moses He would meet with His people. But David isn’t the main character we are talking about today.
Enter a man named Uzzah, an average guy helping the Ark on its journey. Though the transfer to the cart and beginning of the journey had not been done the way God commanded, it had gone smoothly so far. It was put on the cart and started making their way down the country side. Uzzah was bringing up the rear and all was going well until they came to the threshing floor.
One misstep by the oxen set off a chain reaction we can all relate to, if we see something looking like it is going to fall, we reach out to catch it. It may seem a little heartless of God to kill him because he was trying to help, but if we look back 20 years we would see how 70 men had died because they looked into the Ark. The problem wasn’t so much the touch of the Ark but the heart behind it. Just as the men were killed because they looked into it, Uzzah disrespected God by reaching out to touch it. He had been around the Ark near his whole life and it wasn’t the priority it should have been. He would have known what Moses had taught about transporting it but he didn’t do.
Moving the Ark was to be done in an attitude of worship, and while we don’t need the Ark as part of our worship, God still has ways He desires we worship Him. It can’t be about what we think best, it has to be about Him.
Making It Personal
Are you intentional in your worship? Is how you worship about Him or you? What part of your worship needs to focus more on Him?
Making It Personal Kids
Why is it important to worship Jesus like He wants to be worshiped? Do you worship Him like He wants you to? How can you worship Him better?
Closing Prayer
Father, we know we don’t always worship You like we should. Please help us know how to worship You as You desire. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Comments