1 Chronicles 13: 9- 10 “When they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzza put out his hand to hold the ark, because the oxen nearly upset it. And the anger of the Lord burned against Uzza so he struck him down because he put out his hand to the ark; and he died there before God.”
Observation: Through chapter 12 David had become established in his kingship. Men of valor from across Israel were drawn to him both to protect him and to advance the Kingdom. In the midst of national celebration David became convinced that the Lord wanted him to bring the ark of the covenant into the new capital city of Jerusalem. To facilitate this he reached out to Jews throughout Israel, to priests and Levites and kinsmen throughout the land. To demonstrate that this was a nation- wide celebration the passage makes clear that David “assembled all the people” (v. 5) and that “all the people” went with him to get the ark.” (v. 6) This was to be their July 4th on steroids!
So they loaded the ark on an ox cart. As it progressed, “David and all Israel were celebrating before God with all their might.” (v. 8) But as the oxen stumbled and Uzza reached out to steady the ark, God killed him on the spot.
Application: Imagine the pall that surely settled over the crowd as trumpets fell silent, tambourines and cymbals dropped uselessly, and singers choked on their songs as Uzza’s dead body lay before David for all to see. It was their own version of a racuous rock concert turned in an instant to sheer terror as the stage collapses or a bomb detonates.
What went wrong here? The setup is revealed in Numbers 4:15 where God had declared that the ark was to be carried on poles, by men, and never touched by anyone. So David clearly blew it.
Uzza paid the ultimate price for disobedience. Surely in the moment of tipping he felt panic and reached out to do David… and God… a favor. As he lay stricken, David’s anger burned, but against whom? Scripture doesn’t say clearly, but the best candidates are himself, and God.
How many times have I acted as Uzza acted, taking into my own hands matters that should properly have been left to God? I have known his leading toward a certain action, but failing to discern his timing I have acted according to what I felt best, thereby messing up what could have been a wonderful result. And the opposite has happened too, when I have failed to act in a matter led by the Lord only to see an opportunity missed forever. Haven’t there been times that required a confident, declaratory prayer, yet fear of man has resulted in a weak “if it’s your will” kind of prayer. It seems Uzza has been my life model far more than I am comfortable admitting.
Prayer: Lord God, the end goal of getting the ark to Jerusalem wasn’t really the point, was it? Forgive me, Lord for all the times I have done as Uzza did, when flesh’s good intentions overruled divine intention. Bring me into alignment with not just your purposes, but also with your methods and your timing. Make me more like Jesus, who only did what you bid him to do. In Jesus name, Amen.