LEAH JONES | GUEST
Have you ever worked hard to do what seems right only to be yelled at, knocked down, or met with condemnation? Life’s disruptions, while intended for refinement, can feel confusing, overwhelming us with doubt. God’s sanctifying work is always good, but it does not always feel fair. For instance, the story of Uzzah can feel like an injustice (2 Sam. 6:1-8).
Uzzah’s Encounter with God’s Holiness
If you aren’t familiar with Uzzah’s story, he attempted to stop the Ark of the Covenant from falling and hitting the threshing floor while it was being moved. He died instantly. In reading it, we may be taken aback and wonder, why would God put him to death for trying to keep the Ark from falling? Uzzah was the son of Abinadab, from the tribe of Levi. David was the king chosen by God to lead the Israelite people. Both should have known the “Do not Touch” rule (Num. 4:15). It calls into question the lack of long poles God had prescribed for transportation. However, it’s disconcerting to think about God’s response when Uzzah’s interaction with the “holy things” feels so relatable. After all, we can easily imagine we might have responded the same way.
Uzzah was obviously familiar with the uneven terrain of the threshing floor. He was also familiar with gravity, which means when objects that are elevated begin to fall, they will keep falling unless someone or something intervenes. When the ark began to tilt and become off balance, Uzzah did what came naturally to him. He intervened to make sure it would not fall to the ground. But in doing so, he revealed something about himself. Uzzah’s action, the Bible tells us, was an “irreverent act.” He did not show proper reverence for God’s presence and holiness (2 Sam. 6:7).
http://dlvr.it/TSN0rm
