Uzzah and the Ark of Jehovah 2Sam. 6, and 1Chron.13. What happened?
The death of Uzzah, after what seems to be a considerate act of steadying the Ark in the cart pulled by oxen, seemed to the writer and to many, if not most people on a first reading, an unfair outcome, as God smote him dead “for his error”, 2Sam.6: 6-7!
This particular account of God’s dealing with a Jew, who had been positioned by King David to watch over the cart, leaves one with a feeling of perplexion and confusion on a first reading!
Most of us approach the Old Testament in our early studies, in the mind-set of the New Testament, with its emphasis on the Gracious Forgiveness and ultimate Salvation and Eternal life, which is the Gift of God in Christ Jesus Messiah!
My own list of objections and questions grew larger, until a particularly interesting comment by Jesus started to take root in my questioning! Jesus had said to His disciples’ more than once “I was sent (come) only to the lost sheep of Israel” Matt.15:24 & 10:6.
At a particular point in our experience, we were made aware of the statement by the Apostle Paul in Acts 28:25-28, which is the prophecy of Isa.6:9-10, where Israel are made “Lo-Ammi” (not My people), which to the untutored mind seemed senseless!
It soon became clear, that Israel were being dealt with directly by Almighty God, because they had again rejected His “sign” to them, in the death and resurrection of Jesus, which their Old Testament scriptures had prophesied, Isa. 7:14!
God had since Eden been trying to show, that obedience to Him was paramount, and that the free-will He had endowed on all people if used by people to fit into His request, would enable Him to defeat His great enemy, Satan.
God has allowed Satan (since his rebellion) to try to stop all Creation from relating to Him as Creator God, which would allow Satan to rise to the position of Ruler of God’s Universe. At present, he holds the title of “prince of this world”, and “prince of the powers of the air”, (Eph. 2:2, Jhn. 16:11 and 2Cor. 4:4).
When the Jews rejected Jesus Messiah, they made inevitable God’s rejection of them (for a period), and God made the Gentiles His first priority for the spreading of the Gospel for the period from Acts 28:28, until “The Gentiles are fully in”, then “All Jews shall be saved” (Romans 11:25-26)!
It becomes clear when studying the Jews in the Old Testament, that they were a very difficult people, who did not stay faithful to their Jehovah God (see Malachi), (see: Israel and Deuteronomy 28), but who were/are endowed with great talent and purpose! God wanted them to use their talents in His quest to find a people of faith in Him; which kept their word, and which would be seen by all peoples in the world! In this they repeatedly failed, even preaching that their Messiah would not be Divine, “but only human”!
By the end of the Acts period, it was clear to the Apostle Paul, that they again were resisting Almighty God as they had previously, as he had regular contact with the Sanhedrin, and God moved him at Acts 28:25-28 to activate the prophecy of Isa. 6:9-10; which is still in place!
It will remain in place until the events of Zech. 12:10, when they “will look on Him who they pierced, and mourn Him as an only son”.
How this fits together with Uzzah’s death is because it was an example to King David that he had sinned in allowing the Ark to be carted, instead of being “carried by priests of Levi” as only they were allowed to touch the Ark, and God wanted David to be a PRECISE witness to the world of the importance of God’s Ark which represented God's Word and Favour! What seems like pedantic action by God, is totally misunderstood by most people, in the Uzzah’s account. As shown the sin/s were those of David, who did not follow the instructions of God to Moses, regarding all action with the Ark when moved! God here is shown as being very detailed as was shown in Eden. The reason is His warfare with the rebel Lucifer, now called Satan, see link at bottom! Also, the Ark underpinned the first Covenant with Israel, and by implication links in also to the Second Covenant (The New Covenant), which Jesus had instigated in His Body and Blood at the “last Supper” (Matt. 26:17-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:14-20 & 1Cor. 11:23-25).
This may seem pedantic to us, but as can be seen in any Synagogue, the Jews are very “religious” in keeping their rituals, but they are the rituals of their forefathers (Pharisees) and their interpretations of the “Torah”, not God’s Word and Will!
So; the conclusion of the above is to see the importance that Almighty God placed on His people the Jews, to keep His Word and Witness, which they did/do not at present! However, when the stage of Zech.12:10 is reached, they will become “a Kingdom of priests unto God”, and will be His witnesses and workers throughout the world, Ex.19:5-8 & Rev.1:6!
Thus we see that its next appearing awaits that great day; and that may also be linked to the next Temple in Jerusalem! As Ezekiel had seen the "Glory" of God leave the Temple and City in Ezek. 11:23 because of the behaviour and infidelity of Israel since the departure from Egypt, so in Ezek. 43 he saw and prophesied the return to the same Site and new Temple, in the yet future. The implication is that the 'Shekinah' is God's Glorious presence, and "Ark", (His Foundational Word unbroken) is with Him!
Satanic SPIRITUAL Strongholds!
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