Highlights:
David's intentions to bring the Ark to its proper place in Jerusalem result in a man's death. (Know the real reason.) God forbids David to build the Temple, but God builds David an eternal "house" — meaning royal lineage (II Sam. 7:1-11).
Verses for Today:
David arose, and went with all the people that were with him from Baale (Kirjath-jearim) (see I Chr. 13:6) of Judah, to bring up from thence the Ark of God. . . . And . . . 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 (II Sam. 6:2,6-7).
For about 75 years, during most of Samuel's leadership, Saul's 40-year reign, and David's 7½-year reign, the Ark had remained with Abinadab at Kirjath-jearim. David desired to honor God by bringing the Ark of the Covenant, the dwelling place of God on earth, to Jerusalem, the religious and political capital of David's kingdom. But David did not read or pray about what was required to move the Ark. David gathered together all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand. . . . to bring up from thence (to Jerusalem) the Ark of God. . . . they set the Ark of God upon a new cart (6:1-2) as the Philistines had done many years before when they captured it, and proceeded toward Jerusalem with great rejoicing. Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drave the new cart (6:3). David made the procession a national day of rejoicing in putting God in the center of their nation.
Attempting to keep the Ark from toppling off the cart, Uzzah put forth his hand to the Ark of God, and took hold of it; for the oxen shook it. . . . and God smote him there for his error; and there he died by the Ark of God (6:6-7). David was humiliated and displeased (6:8). He was sincerely seeking to honor God but had overlooked two very important instructions in the Word of God: The Ark had to be carried by poles on the shoulders of the priests, and the penalty for touching the Ark of the presence of God was death (Ex. 25:10-15; Num. 4:15; 7:9).
It is a serious error to believe that, as long as a person is sincere, it makes no difference what he believes. It should also teach us the importance of knowing the Word of God since the original Word of God was kept inside the Ark.
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth (II Tim. 2:15; John 6:63).
Thought for Today:
I will . . . praise Thy Name . . . for Thy truth: for Thou hast magnified Thy Word above all Thy Name (Ps. 138:2).
Christ Revealed:
By the Ark of the Covenant which they . . . set . . . in the midst of the Tabernacle (II Sam. 6:17). The Ark contained the Ten Commandments, given to Moses (Deut. 10:1-5). Christ is the Living Word (John 1:1) and dwells within we who are the temple of God (I Cor. 3:16) — Christ in you, the hope of glory (Col. 1:27).
Word Studies:
6:7 error =fault committed through negligence; 6:14 linen ephod =priestly, linen garment; 6:19 dealt =distributed; 6:21 play =celebrate, show my joy; 7:8 sheepcote =pastureland; 7:9 cut off =destroyed, eliminated; 7:12 seed =offspring, descendants; 7:23 terrible =full of wonder; awesome; 8:3 recover his border at the river Euphrates =establish his territory to the Euphrates River; 8:4 houghed =hamstrung; 8:5 succour =help; 9:8 look upon such a dead dog =show favor to an insignificant person.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for International Broadcasts in honor of Joshua Belisle's baptism 04/13/08 • Staff: Pam Pendergrast • Government Officials: Sen. Robert Casey (PA), Rep. Jim Costa (CA), and Rep. Susan Davis (CA) • Country: Eritrea (4 million) in eastern Africa • Major languages: English and Tigrinya • Religious persecution • 51% Muslim; 40% Eritrean Orthodox; 4% Catholic; 1.5% Protestant • Prayer Suggestion: Children, ask the Lord to enable you to honor your parents (Eph. 6:1-3).
Optional Reading: Acts 14
Memory Verse for the Week: Matthew 6:11