Tag: 1 Chronicles 13:8-11
Toxic Worship?
Scripture reading for August 4: 1 Chronicles 13:8-11 “And David and all Israel were celebrating before God with all their might, with song and lyres and harps and tambourines and cymbals and trumpets. And when they came to the threshing floor of Chidon, Uzzah put out his hand to take hold of the ark, for the oxen stumbled. And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzzah, and He struck him down because he put out his hand to the ark, and he died there before God. And David was angry because the Lord had broken out against Uzzah. . .and David was afraid of God that day, and he said, “How can I bring the ark of God home to me?”
King David had given orders to bring the ark of God back to Jerusalem. The Levites had decided to use oxen and a new cart to carry the ark the last ten miles from Kiriath-jearim, just as the Philistines had done to get the ark out of their country because of tumors breaking out. The Levites had neglected to consult God’s Word about how the ark was to be treated. It was to be carried on the shoulders only by the priests set apart by designation and sacrifice.
King David was leading the procession and Uzzah, a priest, was guiding the ark when the oxen stumbled and the ark rocked. He reached out his hand and touched the ark to steady it and instantly died there before the Lord. Scripture records that the anger of the Lord at their disobedience precipitated this tragic event. King David became angry at what happened and also fearful of the Lord. He asked, “How can I bring the ark of God home to me?”
The ark of God was the earthly symbol of His presence with His people. God was holy and gave instructions to His people and the Levites on how to handle the ark and how to honor Him as holy. As believers under the new covenant, we also can learn from this story. We are now the dwelling place of God individually and collectively as we gather as the church. We must not dishonor God by our disrespect or casual treatment of His presence. We must worship God in Spirit and Truth. (John 4:23-24) God has provided His Holy Spirit to assist us in our worship, prayer and walk of holiness.
Prayer: Father God, thank you for sanctifying me by Jesus’ sacrifice of body and blood. Empower me to worship in spirit and truth. Amen.