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From Mike Maldonado ..

As David was dancing and celebrating the return of the Ark from the Philistines, we read this…and when they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah put out his hand to the ark of God and took hold of it, for the oxen stumbled.  And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzzah, and God struck him down there because of his error, and he died there beside the ark of God.” 2 Samuel 6:6.

We can read about a story like this and think how unfair life is sometimes.  The guy was just trying to make sure the ark of God did not fall.  What this tells us is that God’s presence, and God’s Holiness are nothing to take lightly.  The Ark of the Covenant was the embodiment of these two attributes.  It was to be kept in the Holy of Holies in the tabernacle.  No one was to get close to it with the exception of the high priest, once a year, and only after he was ceremonially cleansed. Then when it was to be moved. It was to be followed to the letter (Num 4:5-6,15,18-20; Josh 3:4; 1 Chr 15:15). No cart, no animals, no touching!  Uzzah did not follow any of this.  David became angry at what God had done. But instead of asking for guidance from the priests, or looking at the scrolls himself, David, like us sometimes, directed them to carry out exactly as the world would do, instead of what God wants us to do.  David used the same method to transport the Ark that the pagan Philistines used. After the death of Uzzah, David realized his error (1Chronicles 15:11-13) and went to God’s word to correct his behavior. Praise the Lord.

God uses suffering and sometimes tragedy to bring His people back to Him, and His Word. It is a gracious God that uses whatever means to continually draw His people to Him. God always acts for the ultimate good of His people.  For all of us, our destiny should be as Uzzah’s death, for the wages of sin is death. However, the death of Uzzah doesn’t seem to be the “normal” response to sin, but it is justice.  His “normal” ways are fleshed out in Psalm 86:15- But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. Because of God’s mercy and grace. We don’t get what we deserve in this life, and because of Jesus’ death on Calvary, we get what we don’t deserve eternally.

 

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