YOU MUST DO IT GOD’S WAY (THE LESSONS OF UZZAH)
1 Chron. 13:1-14, 15:1-2
INTRODUCTION
A. HUMOR
1. Sometimes, good intentions don’t quite get the job done!
2. A businessman was scheduled for a very important meeting that required him to take a late-night train to his destination.
3. Knowing he would most certainly be asleep when the train came to his stop, he spoke with one of the attendants.
4. “I have the most important meeting of my life in the morning and I can’t afford to miss it. When the train pulls into Chattanooga at 2 a.m., wake me up and help me off the train. “I will be grumpy and beg for sleep, but do whatever it takes to get me off the train!”
5. The next morning when he awoke, he was still on the train and had missed his stop. He became livid and raged all over the porter who was supposed to wake him up. He disembarked at the next stop.
6. Another passenger, who had witnessed the tirade, said, “In all my life I have never seen anybody so upset!”
7. The porter said, “That ain’t nothin. You should have seen the guy I threw off the train at 2 a.m. in Chattanooga!” [The Best of ‘In Other Words,’ Raymond McHenry, # 1058]
B. TEXT
David conferred with each of his officers, the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds. 2 He then said to the whole assembly of Israel, “If it seems good to you and if it is the will of the Lord our God, let us send word far and wide to the rest of our people throughout the territories of Israel, and also to the priests and Levites who are with them in their towns and pasturelands, to come and join us. 3 Let us bring the ark of our God back to us, for we did not inquire of it during the reign of Saul.” 4 The whole assembly agreed to do this, because it seemed right to all the people. 5 So David assembled all Israel, from the Shihor River in Egypt to Lebo Hamath, to bring the ark of God from Kiriath Jearim. 6 David and all Israel went to Baalah of Judah (Kiriath Jearim) to bring up from there the ark of God the Lord, who is enthroned between the cherubim—the ark that is called by the Name. 7 They moved the ark of God from Abinadab’s house on a new cart, with Uzzah and Ahio guiding it. 8 David and all the Israelites were celebrating with all their might before God, with songs and with harps, lyres, timbrels, cymbals and trumpets. 9 When they came to the threshing floor of Kidon, Uzzah reached out his hand to steady the ark, because the oxen stumbled. 10 The Lord’s anger burned against Uzzah, and he struck him down because he had put his hand on the ark. So he died there before God. 11 Then David was angry because the Lord’s wrath had broken out against Uzzah, and to this day that place is called Perez Uzzah. 12 David was afraid of God that day and asked, “How can I ever bring the ark of God to me?” 13 He did not take the ark to be with him in the City of David. Instead, he took it to the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite. 14 The ark of God remained with the family of Obed-Edom in his house for three months, and the Lord blessed his household and everything he had.
C. THESIS
1. A preacher said to the congregation, “Crying babies and disruptive children, like good intentions, should be carried out immediately.”
2. Today we’re looking at an episode of David’s life where he learned an important lesson that all of us be aware of: good intentions aren’t good enough; obeying God is what God requires.
3. The title of this message is, “You Must Do It God’s Way.”
I. DAVID’S GOOD INTENTION
A. RECENT HISTORY OF THE ARK
1. The Ark was a gold-covered box about 2 foot square and 4 feet long with a gold lid with two angels on it. Moses had it built at God’s direction in the wilderness.
2. The Ark was the center of God’s manifest presence on the Earth. Now if you’re right with God, the presence of God is a blessing, but if you’re in sin, the presence of God will bring judgment.
3. That’s exactly what happened when the Philistines captured the Ark in battle. God sent terrible plagues on their cities, so they sent back the Ark on a cart pulled by two cows.
4. It arrived in Israeli territory at Besh-Shemesh, where 50,000 Israelites died for looking inside/touching it.
5. It was sent to Kiriath-Jearim (1 Sam. 6:21) to Abinadab’s house where it stayed for 70 years! During all the reign of King Saul, the Ark of God was neglected, unsought and forgotten!
6. So it’s very significant that no one missed or sought out God’s presence at the Ark! Have we been mindful of seeking God’s presence?
B. DAVID’S HOLY ASPIRATIONS
1. As soon as David had gained the kingship over all Israel and had defeated the immediate Philistine threat, he resolved to put God in His proper place – to bring the Ark to the heart of the nation – at it’s capital at Jerusalem.
2. His aim: to give God the honor due to Him;
: achieve a closer union with God;
: inaugurate a new era, a turning point in the history of the nation. He consulted with the people and they agreed.
3. 1 Chron. 13:2-4.
4. Vs. 8 describes the mighty Celebration David pulled together: all the leaders of the nation were present and potentially a million-plus people came to be part of the event.
5. David thought he was doing right.
“ “ “ “ honoring God.
“ “ “ “ pleasing God.
But he was very mistaken.
6. There are times we do the wrong things. Then there are times we do the right thing, but the wrong way!
7. God says, “My ways are not your ways…my thoughts….”
“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death” Prov. 14:12, NKJV.
8. You can think you’re going the right way and miss it entirely – salvation, major decisions of life (your life’s companion, moving without finding a church, taking a job that will take you away from God, etc.)
II. UZZAH’S TRESPASS
A. A SHOCKING OCCURANCE
1. In the midst of praising, dancing, celebrating…the oxen stumbled. The Ark was in danger of falling off the cart. Uzzah reached out to prevent it from falling to the ground. He touched the Ark!
2. Suddenly, Uzzah fell as a corpse. (Some ancient manuscripts say he was struck by lightning!) A thrill of horror went through the crowd, the music stopped and David stood aghast.
3. David couldn’t believe that as he was trying to bring the nation to revival that God would judge them over a minor infraction.
4. Some would say that God is ‘unreasonable’ to have specific requirements. Have you tried to get on an airplane lately? They have many requirements. You must go through security – get x-rayed or patted down, have all the proper documentation, go through check in, etc. – and Lord help you if a knife is found in your pocket!
5. Just to approach a plane. And you think God unreasonable to have some criteria?
B. CAUSE OF THE JUDGMENT
1. In his enthusiasm, David and the nation had neglected to carry out God’s instruction in how the Ark was to be transported.
2. The Ark was to be carried by the Levites, not on a cart pulled by oxen (which they probably adapted from the Philistines in [1 Sam. 6:7-8]).
3. To David, it’s probably seemed God was hard. David must have been embarrassed before all Israel. It must have seemed an unfair punishment. Yet it points out their general:
a. Thoughtlessness, lack of carefulness;
b. Familiarity (treating God as common);
c. Irreverence. WE MUST DO GOD’S WORK GOD’S WAY!
4. God is a Great King. King Artaxerxes – anyone who approached his throne uninvited – it was automatic death!
a. Thank God we can all approach God when we want, but He too has rules of approaching Him.
b. He told Moses/ Elijah – “You cannot look on me and live.” He’s holy and beyond comprehension.
c. Even the sinless angels veil their faces as they approach His throne crying, “Holy! Holy! Holy!”
d. God is not to be trifled with. We are not equal to Him. He is the Creator/Generator of all things, omnipresent, omnipotent, perfectly holy and outside the bubble of time.
5. It’s possible that we too could suffer for irreverence toward: a. God’s Name; b. His Sanctuary; c. Worship at Church; d. His Ministers- “Do not touch My anointed ones, and do My prophets no harm.” Ps. 105:15, NKJV.
6. ILLUSTRATION
a. A young woman, under deep conviction of sin, entered a church. In the row ahead of her were several young Christian women.
b. During the service they whispered, exchanged notes, were constantly on their phones texting and sharing Facebook posts – doing everything but showing respect for God and His house!
c. They were so distracting and set such a bad example to the lost woman that she finally lost her conviction to seek God. She got up and left the church.
d. Someday before the judgment seat of Christ those
frivolous young women will have to give an account for the soul convicted but not converted.
7. Opposite behavior: Ancient copyists of the Scriptures were so reverential to God and His Word that they would take a bath and change clothes before writing God’s Name.
8. Uzzah might not even have known that he was breaking God’s Law – but he still paid the penalty. Sin is still sin even if we don’t know it. People will still go to hell because of ignorance.
9. Just as David meant well, but still missed God, so multitudes today think it’s ‘OK’ to curse God’s Name or mock Jesus, but they’re wrong! When they stand before God, they’ll be condemned. Good intentions won’t get us to heaven.
10. Key Verse: “Without the shedding of blood there is no remission” Heb. 9:22, KJV. Trust in Jesus’ sacrifice.
C. DAVID’S (WRONG) THOUGHT
1. “How can I ever bring the Ark of God to me if God is so holy?” This is what the world often uses to excuse itself from going ahead and obeying God.
2. JESUS DID -- IN THE ATONEMENT -- ALL WE’LL EVER NEED TO BE SAVED AND ACCEPTED BY THE FATHER!
3. BY HIS RIGHTEOUS LIFE & OBEDIENCE. Jesus fulfilled all righteousness in His earthly life. He was without sin. On the positive side, He completed all righteousness by being obedient in every thought, word, and action. He kept all 613 commandments of the O.T.
4. BY BEARING EVERY SIN & TRANSGRESSION. Jesus atoned for the sins of the entire world. There was not one sin He did not take up and bear to Golgotha.
5. The Father was completely satisfied with the sacrifice of Christ. His wrath was completely depleted; His justice was thoroughly satisfied; all accounts were balanced.
6. There wasn’t one more thing that Jesus could have done. His was a perfect sacrifice.
III. GOD’S PRESENCE DESIREABLE
A. BLESSING AT OBED-EDOM’S HOUSE
1. In only three months.
2. It was so conspicuous that a report of it made its way to the King. Like – his cows all started bearing twins, his wheat crop was 5X heavier than normal, his kids all stayed healthy, rain skipped other’s property, but fell on his place, etc.
3. When David heard it, he knew he wanted God’s blessing on HIS home!
B. DAVID’S SECOND TRY
1. Proper fear and thoughtfulness.
2. 4 DIFFERENCES:
a. He prepared a Tent for the Ark.
b. The Ark was carried by Levites – fulfilling the Law.
c. Priests were in their proper place.
d. When they had taken six steps, (2 Sam. 6:13), David offered 7 bulls and 7 rams (1 Chr. 15:26).
3. He was successful and he was blessed.
4. Although Uzzah’s death seemed a hindrance to revival, it really deepened revival by causing:
a. Respect and fear for God;
b. Showed the need for obeying His commands.
CONCLUSION
A. ILLUSTRATION
1. Just as there was only one way God’s Ark was to be carried, so there’s only one way we can be saved.
a. Acts 4:12, “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (NKJV)
b. John 14:6, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life…”
2. If you’ve trusted in your own goodness, your connection with a church, good deeds, or anything else for salvation – you won’t make it to heaven.
3. The only thing that can save you or I is the blood of Jesus. He is God’s only atoning sacrifice for sin. God has given no other sacrifice, that’s why He alone can save.
B. PRAY/PLEDGE TO DEEPER REVERENCE
1. Is your Fear of God lacking? You need to pray!
2. Is your treatment of God’s Name, Sanctuary, God’s servants, or not paying God His tenth/tithe an issue? Then you need to begin honoring God.
C. THE CALL
1. People think they can ignore God, or treat God and sacred things however they want and there’ll be no consequences, but God still judges people today!
2. The city of Messina, Italy was a beautiful, flourishing city. On the morning of December 28, 1908, an earthquake struck and 84,000 human beings died.
3. Only a few hours before the unspeakably wicked and irreligious condition of the inhabitants was expressed in a series of violent resolutions passed.
4. The journal, Il Telefono, printed in Messina, published in its
Christmas issue a parody, daring the Almighty to make Himself known by sending an earthquake! And in three days the earthquake came! [Cited by John Lawrence, Down To Earth [Wheaton, Ill. Tyndale, 1983, p. 51.]
5. How many need more fear of God? How many have a problem with obeying God in some area? How many have been neglecting putting God’s presence at the center of your life? How many want to make sure you’re right with God?
6. Prayer time.
