Ruining the Party

It was a celebration. In 2 Samuel 6:5 we read, “Meanwhile, David and all the house of Israel were celebrating before the LORD with all kinds of instruments made of fir wood, and with lyres, harps, tambourines, castanets and cymbals.” The ark was finally returning to its proper place among the people of God. The people were united as it says in 1^st Chronicles 13:4, “Then all the assembly said that they would do so, for the thing was right in the eyes of all the people”.

However, the party comes to a sudden stop when the ox pulling the cart stumbles, and a man by the name of Uzza reaches out to steady the ark. He is immediately struck down by God. Now the celebration turns to tragedy, and David's emotions go from rejoicing to anger and then fear (2^nd Samuel 6:8-9). Why has this happened? Why did God do this? How can we bring the ark back?

David would later come to the answer when he does what he should have done in the first place, seek out God's commands concerning the ark and how it was to only be carried by the Levites.

"Because you did not carry it at the first, the LORD our God made an outburst on us, for we did not seek Him according to the ordinance."

1^st Chronicles 15:13

As important as that lesson is I want to focus on another point. The oxcart plan was right in the eyes of the people. It was popular. It felt good. It was what the Philistines had done. But none of those things made it right with God.

Today many want to draw closer to God. They do so with much celebration and fanfare. It is popular. It is contemporary. It makes people feel inspired. But that does not mean it is pleasing to God.

If we want our actions before God to be pleasing rather than a tragedy we must start by seeking out his commands.

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