Title: Lessons from Uzzah (1 Chronicles 13:9-14)
1. David was a passionate believer The belief that the ark of the covenant, which symbolizes the throne of God, would be the core of the kingdom and rule over Israel was what all the people of Israel wanted.
(1) David knew himself well. David, who was well aware of his humble family and weaknesses, must have been deeply moved by his rise to the throne, and he wanted to have God, who protected his life from the enemy who was leading him, at the center of the kingdom.
(2) They depended solely on God from the beginning to the end.
2. God's wrath struck Uzzah to death. Following David's command, the ark of God departed from Kiriathiarim toward the city of Jerusalem. But that joy did not last long. The oxen carrying the ark suddenly started running on the threshing floor of Gidon, and the ark was about to fall to the ground. Unsa, who was in charge of transporting the ark, hurriedly grabbed the ark by hand and died instantly. Suddenly, the festive mood turned into a chaos of horror. This was God's wrath against David and the congregation of Israel, and he was not pleased with their work.
(1) It reminded us of God's rules for the ark. The ark was carried on the shoulders of the Levites, and it reminded us that no one except the priests could touch the ark.
(2) He revealed that God's work is not simply carried out with passion. The crucial lesson is that David and all of Israel tried to do God's work with passion alone. The history of the kingdom of God cannot be accomplished with human passion. Only when we follow the will and method of God's kingdom can we be glorified.
3. How should the ark of Jehovah be kept?
(1) You must serve them with joy. David and all the Israelites welcomed him with joy as they danced, sang, and played music. Three months later, when the ark of the Lord was brought back to the City of David, Kenaniah sang a song and selected 24 people, including Heman, Asaph, and Ethan, to perform the service of praise. Michal, Saul's daughter, looked out through a spear and despised David's heart as he danced with joy. In Michal's eyes, David looked like a madman. Likewise, where there is joy, the Holy Spirit comes, and where there is the Holy Spirit, joy abounds.
(2) You must serve them according to the word. Why did Uzzah die? It was a good thing Uzzah held up with her hand when the cattle ran and the ark of God was about to fall. But why did God get angry and kill Uzzah? It's because they didn't follow the law. King David's zeal to bring the ark to Jerusalem was good, but it was a great mistake to use the Philistine method to do it. I had a new cart and two oxen to drive it. According to the law, only the Kohathites of the tribe of Levi must carry it on their shoulders and march (Numbers 4:1-15, 7:9). This must happen after the descendants of the Aaronic line have covered the ark and pierced it, and the Kohathites must come and tie the poles, but not touch the holy things (Numbers 4:15). Because the Philistines did not know the law, they were not punished for this even if they did something wrong. However, when King David, who knew the law, practiced lawlessness, God struck Uzzah.
(3) You must serve with sincerity. The region of Gath is the residence of the Levites (Joshua 21:25). So the word Gath means Levite. As a Levite, he served the ark of the Lord with all his heart for three months. Verse 14 says, “And the Lord blessed the house of Obed-edom and all that he had.” I pray that the blessings of Obed-edom's family will come to your family.