READ: 2 Samuel 5 & 6
In chapter 5 we see David
ushered into his full reign as king over all Israel. After the deaths of Abner
and Ish-bosheth, the elders of Israel invite David to take his place as king
over them. For seven and a half years David reigns from Hebron – until he sets
off to take the “stronghold of Zion”, a well-fortified city belonging to the
Jebusites. Despite taunting that even the blind and lame of the city could
easily keep David out, he and his armies take the stronghold and from there he
builds his own city – Jerusalem, the city of David. Under David’s rule, Israel
will increase substantially in territory. He is a strategic and decisive
leader, boldly leading the people whom God has prepared him to shepherd.
The latter part of chapter 5
describes a battle with the Philistines. Earlier, while on the run from King
Saul, David had formed somewhat of an alliance with the Philistines and had
taken refuge within their borders. When they discover that David has been
anointed the succeeding king over Israel – their enemies – the Philistines go
in search of him. David hides out in a stronghold while the Philistines spread
out in the Valley of Rephaim. Twice the Lord gives the Philistines over to the
armies of Israel! David is seeking direction from his King, Yahweh.
In the early chapters of 1
Samuel the Philistines defeated Israel and captured the Ark of the Covenant.
However, God brought curses upon them and they returned the ark to Israel where
it was eventually brought to the house of Abinadab in Kiriath-jearim (also
called Baale-judah). There it remained until 2 Samuel 6 when David decided to
have it moved to Jerusalem. The Ark of the Covenant was a specially crafted
trunk overlaid in gold where God’s presence would be manifested. The ark was
not just a symbol of God’s power and
presence; God Himself was present above the ark. Therefore, it was not to be
taken lightly. 2 Samuel 6 can be a difficult story to stomach if we do not read
it through the lens of God’s holiness. God had commanded that the Ark of the
Covenant not be touched (Numbers 4:15). Of course, Uzzah had good motives and
was only trying to steady the ark and keep it from falling, but the punishment
was rooted in an earlier act of disobedience. God had given specific
instructions about how the ark should be transported: The ark had rings along
the sides, allowing it to be carried using specially made poles, and it was only
to be transported by Levites. Uzzah and Ahio were Levites, but they neglected
the clear commands regarding the transportation of the ark. They used a cart
rather than the poles.
One might read this story and
think: Pole or cart? What’s the
difference?! At the core, this story is about God’s holiness. Though God is
loving and merciful, He is also holy and just. This story shows us a glimpse of
just how holy God is. God had clearly spoken about the means by which the ark
of His presence should be moved. This act of putting it on a cart was direct
violation of God’s law. And God is holy – to violate His holy law is no small
thing. Throughout scripture, when individuals experienced the pure presence of
God, they expected to be struck down.
They knew that anything “good” about them vanished in the sight of God’s pure
perfection. It was God’s mercy that
allowed men like Isaiah (Is. 6:5) and Jacob (Gen. 32:30) and Moses (Ex 33) to
see him and live. Uzzah received what was expected. Further, the ark had not
fallen off the cart, the oxen merely stumbled. Uzzah was stepping in to
intervene and help God who needs no help or intervention. Uzzah’s act was one
of disobedience. It is also possible that Uzzah was a son of Abinadab who had
grown up with the ark in his house. Perhaps such familiarity had brought
irreverence into his heart – the ark was just a “thing” and not the precious
seat of God Almighty.
Whatever the case, we must
remember that God is good – all the time. Uzzah’s punishment was not a
deviation from His goodness. And we must learn from this story to seek God in
reverence and awe. He is a personal and intimate Friend and Father, but at the same time He is the Lord
Almighty. He is eternal and uncreated. He created the universe by the power of
His word. He gives life with one breath. His voice is like the sound of mighty
waters. His radiance is like that of the sun. His purity is beyond the purest
gold. He has power to give and take away because He is the Owner of all things.
This is the God we worship and this is the God we must hold in highest esteem.
JOURNALING AND PRAYER
1. Spend
some time in heartfelt worship. Declare truths about who God is. Use your Bible
to find passages that declare truth about God and proclaim those things back to
Him.
2. Choose
one or two of the attributes of God that you declared and take some time to
meditate on them. Ask God to bring you deeper revelation about Himself through
this specific attribute/truth.
3. Pray
for specific people in your life. Ask God to reveal to them this same truth
about Himself.
4. Ask
God to show you any ways that you are being irreverent (showing disrespect)
towards Him (including irreverence towards His Word and His Church). Spend time
in repentance as things come up.
