Follow the Leader

And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzza, and he smote him…
(1 Chronicles 13:10)

This passage in 1 Chronicles 13 is paralleled in 2 Samuel 6. The presumption here isn’t immediately clear, but after carefully searching the Word the teaching is: If an idea or action is against the clear direction of God’s Word then even if it is done with good intentions, reverence, sincerity, and joy to the Lord it will not please Him. We cannot skip over what seem to be minor details to us. This passage is testament to that fact.

David had consulted with the leaders of the people to see if they thought the idea of bringing up the Ark of the Covenant would be of God (vs.1-2). They unanimously agreed that it was (vs.4), and they performed the deed with great joy (vs.8). These men held the Lord in high esteem (2 Samuel 6:2). So we have great men of God doing with all their might and sincerity something that they wished only to do for the glory of God. But God was not pleased. Why, and why such a seemingly harsh punishment?

We can find that God had given specific instructions regarding the Ark and the priestly things. Appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of testimony, and over all the vessels thereof: they shall bear (carry) the tabernacle (Numbers 1:50). Uzza was a Levite, and so we see no error here.

However, later we see that the priests were given carts to carry things on, but we also see that the sons of Kohath were not: they were to carry the Ark upon their shoulders (Numbers 7:9). And yet David had the Ark placed on a cart (vs.7). This was in direct violation of God’s holy order.

Because David was king, he was responsible for his people, much like teachers and pastors will be held accountable for teaching error. We cannot do holy things in unholy ways. But why did Uzza have to suffer the consequences of David’s poor decision? Wasn’t God punishing the wrong guy? Indeed, David was offended at God for His judgment (vs.11).

No, God wasn’t wrong. God had given warning concerning the vessel-bearers touching the Ark of the Covenant (Numbers 4:15 / 18:3). His commandment was clear. Perhaps God orchestrated the tipping vessel because of the disobedience of the people in putting the Ark on a cart. In the “real world” of everyday life, we can forget to apply God’s commandments, thinking that there are exceptions to the rule. We may feel that we are only doing what is right, but who are we to judge, especially in light of God’s decree.

Obviously this chiefly applies to concrete statements, the “thou shalt not” type. Uzza was probably convinced, at the moment of his action, that he was doing what God would have wanted. He had reverence for the Ark, and it was about to spill open upon hitting the ground. But here is the critical lesson: If God has given us a command, or instruction, and He is the Sovereign Lord of the universe, He knows what He is doing. We dare not presume that He had not thought of a particular situation that we have encountered.

Do not use your duty, responsibility, or a desire to “help” as justification for going outside the expressed will of God. Perhaps God would have miraculously “floated” the Ark back into place, showing the Holy nature of His covenant, and that no earthly trouble could interfere with it.

Of course, that is pure speculation, but the lesson applies: Do not presume that you know the right thing to do when God has instructed otherwise, regardless of the circumstance. We cannot presume that a good intention will justify a bad action. David realized this in 1 Chronicles 15:13, when he stated that he knew that the punishment was because they sought God in the wrong way. We must learn as David did.

“Living For Today With An Eye For Tomorrow”©