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NASB | 2 Samuel 6:7 And the anger of the LORD burned against Uzzah, and God struck him down there for his irreverence; and he died there by the ark of God. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 2 Samuel 6:7 And the anger of the LORD burned against Uzzah, and God struck him there for his irreverence; and he died there by the ark of God. |
Bible Question:
My question is in regards to one that has been addressed in this forum: Why did God kill Uzzah? The straight and simple answer is of course that, he disobeyed God's command, in regards to touching the Ark. but I would like to go a bit deeper. What exactly was Uzzahs' sin? Was it taking the Holiness of God to lightly, or perhaps compromising God's laws by doing a 'good' or at least reasonable deed,and what would be the application of that action/result, in todays society |
Bible Answer: Why Did God Destroy Uzzah? Part 1 Over the years, many have complained that God was unfair to kill Uzzah when he tried to protect the ark of God from damage or shame when the oxen stumbled and the ark slipped. Should not Uzzah have been praised for lunging forward to protect the ark of God? There is no doubt that David's intentions in bringing the ark to Jerusalem were noble and good. Now that his kingdom was established, he did not forget his earlier vow to return the ark to its rightful place of prominence. But what began as a joyful day quickly became a day of national grief and shame. Why? A significant omission in 2 Samuel 6:1-3 sets the scene for failure. Previously when David needed counsel, for example when he was attacked by the Philistines, the text records that David "inquired of the Lord" (2 Samuel 5:19, 23). But those words are sadly missing in 2 Samuel 6:1-3. Instead, we are told in the parallel account in 1 Chron. 13:1-14 that David "conferred with each of his officers." There was no need to consult these men. God had already given clear instructions in Numbers 4:5-6 as to how to move the ark. It should be covered with a veil, to shield the holiness of God from any kind of rash intrusion, and then carried on poles on the shoulders of the Levites (Numbers 7:9). God had plainly revealed his will, but David had a better idea—one he had learned from the pagan Philistines. He would put it on a "new cart" (2 Samuel 6:3). However, God had never said anything about using a new cart. This was a human invention contrary to the will and law of God. Thus David did things in the wrong way, following his own ideas or those of others instead of God's ways. Surely this passage warns that it is not enough to have a worthy purpose and a proper spirit when we enter into the service of God; God's work must also be performed in God's way. Pursuing the right end does not automatically imply using the right means. But why did God's anger break out against Uzzah if David was at fault? The Lord had plainly taught that even the Kohathites, the Levite family designated to carry the ark, "must not touch the holy things or they will die" (Numbers 4:15). Even if Uzzah were not a Kohathite or even a Levite, he still would know what the law taught in Numbers 4 and 7. God not only keeps his promises, but also fulfills his threats! When the Philistines, who had no access to the special revelation of God, sinned by touching the ark and using a new cart to transport it, God's anger did not burn against them (1 Samuel 6). God is more merciful toward those less knowledgeable of his will than toward those who are more knowledgeable. This is why it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than it will be for those who personally witnessed the great acts of the Savior in Capernaum (Matthew 11:23-24). Uzzah's motive, like David's, was pure, but he disregarded the written Word of God, just as David did. Thus one sin led to another. Consulting one's peers is no substitute for obeying God when he has spoken. Good intentions, with unsanctified minds, interfere with the kingdom of God. This is especially true of the worship of God and the concept of his holiness. Because God is holy, he is free of all moral imperfections. To help mortals understand this better, a sharp line of demarcation was drawn between holy things and the common or profane. Our word profane means "before" or "forth from the temple." Thus all that was apart from the temple, where the holiness of God was linked, was by definition profane. However, Uzzah's act made the holiness associated with the ark also profane and thereby brought disrepute to God as well. Part 2 in next post |
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Questions and/or Subjects for 2 Sam 6:7 | Author | ||
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Searcher56 | ||
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Four Square | ||
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3rd jon,4 | ||
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EdB | ||
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EdB | ||
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EdB | ||
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desanlix |