The Philistines captured the Ark of the Covenant. They thought it would give them power. They were wrong! It brought nothing but trouble. They needed to get rid of it. On the advice of their spiritual leaders they transported the ark on a new cart yoked to cows and then just let the cows go (1 Sam. 6:7-8). The ark ended up ten miles from Jerusalem at Uzzah’s home. It stayed there for twenty years (1 Sam. 7:1-2).
King David decided to bring the ark to its rightful place so Uzzah and his brother guided a new cart that carried the ark on its way to Jerusalem. It was a very happy day…until “the oxen stumbled, and Uzzah reached out his hand and steadied the ark…and God struck him dead because of this” (2 Sam. 6:6-7). Whoa! That does seem harsh.
God’s instructions regarding the Ark of the Covenant are recorded in the Law. His design specified that four gold rings be attached to the ark’s four feet, two rings on each side. Two poles were to be inserted into the rings. The directions came with a warning; never remove the poles! (Ex. 25:11-15)
The Kohathites, one of three ancestral lines of Levites, were to care for the most holy articles: “The Kohathites will…carry these things..But they must not touch the sacred objects or they will die” (Num. 4:15).
In Numbers 7 the LORD told Moses to distribute wagons and oxen to the Levites according to their jobs. The Gershonites and the Merarites received wagons to transport the tabernacle, its coverings, curtains, and frame, but the Kohathites got no wagons because “they were required to carry the sacred objects of the tabernacle on their shoulders” (Num. 7:9) with the carrying poles.
Yet the ark moving toward Jerusalem was on a new cart specifically acquired for this task and it was pulled by oxen. Uzzah’s brother Ahio led the way and Uzzah brought up the rear. This was practical and efficient, just like the Philistines.
Uzzah’s family were Levites, specifically Kohathites. The ark sat at their house. Had the ark become common to them?
In Moses’ day the people of Israel had a great fear of God. They did not want to get too close to God Almighty. They begged Moses, “You speak to us, and we will listen. But don’t let God speak directly to us or we will die. (Ex. 20:19). The presence of God was in the Ark of the Covenant (Ex. 25:22) so the Ark of the Covenant was deadly holy. Uzzah’s ignorance and carelessness cost him his life.
Was God too harsh? How many sins were committed in this attempt to bring back the Ark? At least four: followed the wrong example of the Philistines, used the wrong method of a cart contrary to God’s instructions, held the wrong attitude toward the ark as a common item, and did the wrong action by touching the holy ark. Uzzah probably meant well, but the best human intentions do not satisfy the Lord God.
Without the Bible, we operate from a human point of view, not from God’s perspective. Our best efforts are not good enough. If we don’t study the Scriptures, obey them and teach them to our children and grandchildren, we are courting the wrath of God. We must pay attention to the Bible, all of it. God uses Scripture to change the way we think. Then we will discern God’s will for us (Romans 12:2).
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