Text: 1 Chronicles 13:1-14
In 1 Samuel 4 we read of the Ark of the Covenant being captured by the Philistine army when they defeated Israel. It was eventually returned and kept in Kiriath- jearim. King David wants to bring it to Jerusalem, and everyone is in agreement.
The Ark is put on a new cart and headed home, celebrating as they travel. But at one point the oxen stumbled, and the Ark nearly fell off the cart. Uzzah held the Ark to prevent it from falling, and immediately Yahweh put him to death. What happened? Uzzah was doing a good thing, wasn’t he?! Moses wrote that the Ark must never be touched, and it should only be carried with poles on the shoulders of the priests (Ex.25:12-15).
We have two important lessons to learn here. 1- Yahweh is holy and we must treat Him as holy. The Ark was a symbol of Yahweh’s presence, His Law, His throne, and His mercy. The Ark represents Christ. The Ark was not to be treated like any common object. 2- Yahweh is to be worshipped as He determines. We are not to worship Him as we think is proper, either proper for God or proper for us. Be sure you and your church are worshipping God according to His Word, the Bible.
Meditate on verses 9-10. What is God teaching you in these verses?
Father, the Lord of heaven and earth, help me worship You diligently according to Your Word. In the name of Jesus Christ I have prayed. Amen.