Day 83 of 365
VIOLATING THE HOLINESS OF GOD
For Israel, the ark represented God's awe-inspiring presence, and it unified the twelve tribes as one people. For this pilgrimage David had men set the ark on a new cart pulled by oxen. When the oxen stumbled, Uzzah reached out to stabilize it. Immediately, the anger of the Lord burned against him and he died.
The Lord had given strict instructions concerning the transportation of the ark (Ex 25:13 - 14; Nu 4:15; 7:7 - 9; 2Ch 15:13 - 15). It was only to be transported by poles carried on the shoulders of Levites. When these commands were violated, the Lord defended his holiness. This zeal frightened David. All in the procession were reminded that when the fear of the Lord fades, the community is at risk. When sinful man encroaches upon the holiness of God, a price must be paid.
Because of Christ's atoning death and resurrection, believers now have access to boldly approach God in prayer with confidence and a clean conscience (Heb 10:19 - 22). Jesus paid the price for encroaching upon the holiness of God. On the cross, Jesus died in our place as payment. Therefore, Jesus opened a new and living way to enter the holy sanctuary of God.
Jesus, thank you for dying in my place so I could have direct access to a fearsome, mighty, holy God. Help me to never take that for granted. Amen.
2 Samuel 6:1-10 NASB
1 Now David again gathered all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand. 2 And David arose and went with all the people who were with him to Baale-judah, to bring up from there the ark of God which is called by the Name, the very name of the L ord of hosts who is enthroned above the cherubim. 3 They placed the ark of God on a new cart that they might bring it from the house of Abinadab which was on the hill; and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, were leading the new cart. 4 So they brought it with the ark of God from the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill; and Ahio was walking ahead of the ark. 5 Meanwhile, David and all the house of Israel were celebrating before the L ord with all kinds of instruments made of fir wood, and with lyres, harps, tambourines, castanets and cymbals.
6 But when they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah reached out toward the ark of God and took hold of it, for the oxen nearly upset it. 7 And the anger of the L ord burned against Uzzah, and God struck him down there for his irreverence; and he died there by the ark of God. 8 David became angry because of the L ord ' s outburst against Uzzah, and that place is called Perez-uzzah to this day. 9 So David was afraid of the L ord that day; and he said, "How can the ark of the L ord come to me?"
Hebrews 10:19-22 NASB
19 Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
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