1 Chronicles 13-16

May 5

1 Chronicles 13-16

When God met with Moses on Mt Sinai, He instructed Moses on many aspects of living as the people of God including how they were to approach God in worship. God gave Moses plans for the temple, all the materials used for worship, and even for proper transport of the temple and materials for worship as the Israelites wandered around the desert. The Ark of the Covenant was the chest that sat in the holy of holies. The covering for the ark had two angels with their wings outstretched, the covering was known as the Mercy Seat. The Mercy Seat represented the throne of God, the place where God sat as He watched over Israel.

David was a man who sought God’s favor and direction as he made decisions for himself and for Israel. David inquired of God and the Israelites and decided to bring the ark of God to Jerusalem. David said they had not inquired of the ark during the reign of Saul. The ark was not to be an idol they worshiped, but it was an icon that pointed beyond itself to God’s presence with the Israelites. David and the assembly decided to move the ark, but in David’s excitement, he did not consult God’s instructions on the proper means of transport of the ark.

They placed the ark on a cart, though God had said it was to be carried with poles by the Levites. When the ox stumbled and the ark was about to fall Uzzah reached out to steady the ark, but God struck him dead on the spot. David became angry because God’s wrath had struck Uzzah and he left the ark at the home of Obed-Edom. David was afraid of God after this event.

While the ark was on his property, God blessed Obed Edom and his family. Finally David got over Uzzah’s death and decided to try moving the ark again. This time David inquired of God on the proper manner of moving the ark. Each of the Levites took their position as they were instructed. All of Israel celebrated as the ark was transported to Jerusalem using poles carried by Levites as music was played and the people sang and danced before the Lord.

We do not always understand God’s plans for us. We do not always understand why God wants us to do things a certain way. But we do not have to understand “why,” God wants us to obey. It is not His way of showing His power over us; it is His way of revealing who He is and helping us to discover who He created us to be. God is not just looking at what we do; He wants us to do it the right way. We may not recognize the consequences immediately, but there will be consequences for trying to do things our way instead of God’s way. God has a way of encouraging us to want to do things right.