“And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzzah; and God struck him there for his error; and there he died by the ark of God.” 2 Samuel 6:7
Dear Ones:
It was supposed to be a great, and joyful moment, when David was bringing the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. It turned out to be the contrary. The Ark of the Covenant was being transported upon a new cart, from the house of Abinadab. Two sons of Abinadab, Ahio and Uzzah, were to drive the cart. Scripture tells us that Ahio went before the cart, and probably Uzzah walked along side of it. The Oxen, for one reason or another, “shook it.” Uzzah took hold of the Ark of the Covenant to steady it. It was then that the Lord struck him, and he died. Why was the “anger of the Lord kindled against Uzzah?” (2 Saumel 6:7) Let’s go back to the beginning of the chapter to begin to understand.
We read in chapter 6, verse 2: “…the ark of God, whose name is called by the name of the Lord of hosts that dwells between the cherubims.” When we look into heaven through the eyes of John the Apostle, and Isaiah, we see God on His throne. In both cases there are seraphims and living creatures, declaring the same thing: “Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord of hosts…, or Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty.” Why this picture? It is because of the TOTAL uniqueness, beauty and wonder, perfect goodness, that is being revealed to creation by the Creator, and Redeemer. There is absolutely NOTHING in creation that can compare to the immaculate wonder and beauty of the Eternal God. The Ark of God is that physical representation, that symbol, of all that God is in His holiness, His beauty, His immutable power and glory. Though David made the mistake of transporting the Ark in a manner that was not prescribed by God, it was not at all the right, or the responsibility of Uzzah to “steady the ark.” For sinful man to touch the Ark of God, was to diminish in the eyes of men, the uniqueness and Divinity of the Eternal God, and His total commitment to man. Just as the work of Christ on the Cross is holy, unique, belonging to God ALONE, so this Ark represented that which was uniquely of God.
To give us some perspective as to the WORTH of this Ark, and the Covenant of God, let us look at the blood of Christ. What did Jesus say to the disciples at the last supper with regard to His blood? “This cup is the new testament (…or Covenant) in My blood, which is shed for you.” (Luke 22:20) The Ark of God in David’s day, is somewhat like the cup of which Jesus spoke. Both are instruments by which the reality and evidence of a Covenant is given and established by a Holy God. The covenant involves the entirety of His being, and the commitment of all that He is for its realization in behalf of men. How significant is this? In Hebrews 10:29, we read: “…Of how much sorer punishment , suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant wherewith he was sanctified, an UNHOLY thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?” Note the mention of the word, “worthy.” That which is of greatest WORTH is that which is OF God. All that He does is derived from what He IS, and ever shall be. The uniqueness of His work, and revelation of His nature and person, are ever to be esteemed as of greatest worth, and blessing. To stretch forth our sinful hands in a wrong way, or to tread upon that which is most holy, is to defy the revelation of the unique goodness and mercy of God.
Faber wrote a most extraordinary hymn, which gives us perspective as to our relationship with God with regard to His holiness:
“Eternal Light, Eternal Light! How pure the soul must be, when placed within Thy searching sight, it shrinks not, but with calm delight, can live, and look on Thee.”
“There IS a way for man to rise to that sublime abode; an Offering and a Sacrifice, (…that of Christ), A Holy Spirit’s energies, An Advocate with God.”
For sinful man, the beauty of the holiness of God is so eloquently and powerfully revealed in the giving of Christ, His Son, to die on that cross for sinful man. ONLY God could ever do such a thing, so perfectly, uniquely, and completely. God is thus WORTHY to receive our worship in truth, by the Spirit, for He alone is HOLY…the thrice HOLY God.
Dear Father, open our eyes to see Thee in Thy beauty, the beauty of Your holiness. And enable us, by faith, to appropriate this beauty of Christ, that the world may see and know that there is none other than Thee, the only true and living God, truly worthy to be loved and served. We thank Thee, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad