Our Father and Our King

2 Samuel 6:6-7  

"And when they came to Nachon's threshingfloor, Uzzah put forth his hand to the ark of God, 

and took hold of it; for the oxen shook it. And the anger of the LORD was kindled 

against Uzzah; and God smote him there for his error; 

and there he died by the ark of God."

    The danger of being too "close" to God.  Aaron’s sons brought an offering to God. The problem is that they brought unauthorized fire before the Lord.  "And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not,"(Leviticus 10:1).  As a punishment for approaching God when they weren’t authorized to do so, Nadab and Abihu were struck dead.

    David was bringing the Holy Ark to his city, Jerusalem. During the joyous procession, tragedy struck. A man named Uzzah reached out and touched the ark in order to stabilize it. As a result, Uzzah was killed: The Lord’s anger burned against Uzzah because of his irreverent act; therefore God struck him down. Uzzah showed disrespect for God by touching the ark. "And when Aaron and his sons have made an end of covering the sanctuary, and all the vessels of the sanctuary, as the camp is to set forward; after that, the sons of Kohath shall come to bear it: but they shall not touch any holy thing, lest they die. These things are the burden of the sons of Kohath in the tabernacle of the congregation," (Num. 4:15). You see, as one of the priest, he was disobeying God by letting the ark be carried on a cart. How true is that by disobedience of God's specific instructions, one is often led into another error! the ark was supposed to be carried by priest upon staves and poles. (Ex. 25:12-15; Josh. 3:8). 

    David was afraid to have the Holy presence of God beside him. So he sent the ark somewhere else instead. The ark was sent to the home of Obed-edom and remained there for three months. During those three months, the house of Obed-edom prospered and flourished so much that it was obvious to all that the ark had brought the blessings. After that, David relented and joyously brought the ark to his city.

    David learned that there needed to be a balance between closeness to God and reverent separation. To have only fear of God limits the blessings that can come only from having a close and loving relationship with God. But to only love God without any kind of fear or respect diminishes our relationship with Him and can even lead us to sin. God is our loving Father, but He is also our King. As our father, He loves us unconditionally. As our King, we must respect and obey Him. It’s our job to relate to Him in both ways and to keep a healthy balance between the two.

Amen!

Reading: (2 Sam. 6:1-23)

Ref: (HG SB)

May God Bless You

And Your Family

Minister Robert Lail Sr.

The Cross Life Ministry