Have you ever heard of “doing a right thing in the wrong way?”Pure motives … but bad mechanics?

David had a wonderful idea, bringing the holy, revered Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. So, the King organized a work team to do the job. Here’s part of the Bible account …

“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.” 2 Samuel 6:6-7

Simply put, God killed Uzzah (whose Hebrew name means “strength”) for “touching” the Ark! He tried to stabilize that special Piece of Furniture so it would not topple.

Yet God killed him on the spot!

Even David did not understand the immediacy and apparent harshness of God’s surprising Judgment! “And David was displeased (the verb means ‘hot, angry’), because the LORD had made a breach (a breaking forth) upon Uzzah.” 2 Samuel 6:8

Why?

Why did God act in such a way?

We all know that His Judgments are always Righteous, Revelation 19:2, but still … WHY?

First of all, the Ark was meant to be manually carried by an elite group of Levites, not hauled on a cart! According to Exodus 25:13-14. Had that simple injunction been obeyed, Uzzah would have not died!

But most important of all … that Ark was the God-given Seat of Mercy on which Almighty God dwelt with His people Israel.

The Ark was a symbol, the foremost symbol of approaching Almighty God! Granted, once a year and by the High Priest only … but still the Way to God. Blood had to be sprinkled and poured as this worship was conducted!

The “point” of today’s Lesson …

Dear readers, if one misses the Way to God, the Blood of the Lamb, the Mercy Seat of Divine Revelation … the result will be an eternity in a literal Hell Fire and Brimstone!

Uzzah, Israel cannot be allowed to mar that symbol!

The immediate death … that of Uzzah … is a teaching tool (an object lesson) showing the vital importance of getting Salvation, the Blood Atonement, the way to God right!

Exactly right!

If not … DEATH!

Wow!

Are YOU saved?

Washed in the Blood of Jesus?

Born again?

A possessor of eternal life?

How, Preacher?

Let’s allow Jesus to answer … “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.” John 5:24

Avoid death!

Believe on Jesus!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

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