09/25/2008
2 Samuel 6:1 - 2 (HCSB) 1David again assembled all the choice men in Israel, 30,000. 2He and all his troops set out to bring the ark of God from Baale-judah. The ark is called by the Name, the name of the LORD of Hosts who dwells [between] the cherubim.
2 Samuel 6:6 - 8 (HCSB) 6When they came to Nacon’s threshing floor, Uzzah reached out to the ark of God and took hold of it, because the oxen had stumbled. 7Then the LORD’s anger burned against Uzzah, and God struck him dead on the spot for his irreverence, and he died there next to the ark of God. 8David was angry because of the LORD’s outburst against Uzzah, so he named that place an Outburst Against Uzzah, as it is today.
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Saul had fallen in battle. Israel and Judah had split for a brief period as one of Saul’s sons seized power in the northern provinces of Israel while Judah anointed David as king there. After 7 years of conflict, Saul’s son was killed and the northern provinces submitted to David.
The temple had not been built and to this point, the Ark of the Covenant had been in Abinadab’s house. I presume it was a rather large house with fortifications to protect the ark. But David wanted to bring the ark back to Hebron, the new seat of power in the kingdom.
As they were traveling with the ark, the cart on which the ark was being carried apparently tilted and Uzzah reached out to steady the cargo. As Uzzah touched the ark, he immediately fell dead. Our first thought in this situation may be that Uzzah was only trying to protect the ark; but there is much more to this story than Uzzah’s good intentions.
From its creation, the ark was deemed the representation of God’s presence among Israel. Special rings were affixed to the sides of the ark through which long poles would be inserted and the ark would be carried by the poles. No one was ever to touch the ark itself.
The ark was to be treated with utmost reverence. And the fact that the ark was placed on a wagon in such a way that it might slide off was itself an indication of irreverence. Those who carried the ark were to handle it with extreme thoughtfulness and deliberation.
Today, our society is entering a period known as “the Emerging Church.” This philosophy, while it centers on Christian ideas, abandons the reverence associated with our God. There are many other things about the Emerging Church that are problematic, but I want to focus on the idea of reverence today.
When we want to refer to God Almighty, creator and sustainer of all things, I believe we need look no further than Jesus for an example. How did Jesus address and refer to God? Jesus never used any colloquial or frivolous term when talking about God. His language was always “Father”.
Today, when we refer to our earthly father, to address him as “Father” is a sign of highest respect. Jesus never referred to God as “papa”, “daddy” or any other familiar term. If then Jesus was so formal and reverent with the Father – with whom He was one and the same – then how can we be any less respectful and formal?
The second commandment addresses this:
Exodus 20:7 (HCSB) 7Do not misuse the name of the LORD your God, because the LORD will punish anyone who misuses His name.
His name is holy and to use His name (or to refer to God) in any way other than with the highest reverence is misuse.
Uzzah was struck dead because he – for just a moment – forgot about the formality and reverence that was required. We should keep this in mind when speaking to and about God and give to Him all the honor, majesty, glory, and reverence that He is due.
Jeff Justus
Cleff Publishing
www.cleffpublishing.com
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