2 Samuel 6:3-4 3 They set the ark of God on a new cart and brought it from the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill. Uzzah and Ahio, sons of Abinadab, were guiding the new cart 4 with the ark of God on it, and Ahio was walking in front of it.
Sometimes what seems to be a good idea is really rebellion. The idea might be good, but the execution might be tainted with pride and selfishness. So it can be difficult sometimes to know whether an action is righteous or not.
There was a celebratory atmosphere the day the ark of God was going to finally be returned to its rightful place in Israel. It had been captured by Israel’s enemies and returned through the faithful obedience of cows! Talk about a great story.
But in their haste, the priests failed in their sworn duties. They knew they were supposed to carry the ark on the poles that were permanently attached to the ark. They were to carry it on their shoulders. They knew they were the only ones allowed to touch the poles and never the ark.
But that day it seems as though the celebration went to their heads. They put the sacred ark on cart meant for carrying common things. It would be like sending an Uber to pick up the President of the United States. Just not right.
They thought they were doing something that was acceptable. Maybe they wanted both hands free to do the celebrating. Maybe they didn’t speak up when the planning committee was making the transportation arrangements. No matter how it happened, they had failed to stand up and insist that the right thing be done. They neglected their sacred duties.
And so the story continues and the cart hits a bumpy patch in the road and the ark is about to tip over, falling off the cart. So one of the priests reaches out to prevent the catastrophe and he dies. Judgment happens in a moment.
Sometimes we don’t know the reasons. Sometimes we wonder about the methods. But of one thing we can be sure, the LORD will be shown righteous, just, loving, holy…. We are not! He is.
So even in this story that provokes so many questions in our modern minds, the LORD teaches a very simple lesson. When I give directives, follow them. Question them, but do them. Struggle with them, but carry them out. Wrestle, but obey.
The Arnold Journey 