2ND SAMUEL 6:1-11 BRINGING BACK THE ARK
#1- The Testimony of God's Witness GOD WILL ALWAYS FIND PEOPLE WILLING TO DO THE RIGHT THING.
6:1-2 Again, David gathered together all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand. 2 And David arose, and went with all the people that were with him from Baale of Judah, to bring up from thence the ark of God, whose name is called by the name of the LORD of hosts that dwelleth between the cherubims. (1) DAVID’S MOTIVE WAS PURE (a) Days of the Theocracy God Describes the Ark:“ There will I meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, and from between the two cherubim’s.” ( Exod 25:22 ) (b) Days of the Anarchy Man Despises the Ark: Judges 21:25 “ In those days there was no king in Israel every man did that which was right in his own eyes.” It was during this time that the “ Ark,” was taken from Shiloh and the Israelites attempted to make it a “ good luck,” charm against the Philistines. ( 1 Sam 4:3) (c) Days of the Monarchy David Desires the Ark: What a passion David had for God ! He says in ( Ps 132:4&5 ) “ Surely I will not come into the tabernacle of my house, nor go up into my bed, I will not give sleep to mine eyes, or slumber to mine eyelids, until I find out a place for the Lord, an habitation for the mighty God of Jacob.”
#2- The Truth of God's Word THE ONLY WAY TO DO RIGHT IS TO FOLLOW GOD’S INSTRUCTIONS.
v.3 And they set the ark of God upon a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab that was in Gibeah: and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drave the new cart. (2) DAVID’S METHOD WAS WRONG Notice that David disregarded: (a) THE WILL OF GOD: 1 Chronicles 13:1 And David consulted with the captains of thousands and hundreds, and with every leader. & 3 And let us bring again the ark of our God to us: for we enquired not at it in the days of Saul. (b) THE WORD OF GOD: “ Ark,” was to be moved. It was to be carried by the Levites …. particularly the Kohathites ( Num 4:15 ) who were the descendants of one of the three sons of Levi. ( Num 3:17 ) The “ Ark,” was to be covered, ( Num 4:4 ) and borne on their shoulders, by two poles inserted through four rings, one on each corner of the “ Ark.” ( Num 7:9 18:3 Deut 10:8 ) And the “ Ark,” was not to be touched. ( Num 4:15 ) (c) THE WORSHIP OF GOD: To Obey is better than sacrifice
#3- The Trial of God's Work YOU CAN’T ALWAYS TELL IF PEOPLE ARE REALLY DOING RIGHT.
6:4-5 And all the congregation said that they would do so: for the thing was right in the eyes of all the people. 5 So David gathered all Israel together, from Shihor of Egypt even unto the entering of Hemath, to bring the ark of God from Kirjathjearim. (3) DAVID’S MISTAKE WAS COSTLY in setting the “ Ark,” on a new cart: (a) David IMITATED a RELIGIOUS World: Where did they get this “ new cart,” idea from ? The Philistines ! ( 1 Sam 6:7 )
(b) David INITIATED a GRIEVOUS Wrong: 6. And when they came to Nachon’s threshingfloor, Uzzah put forth his hand to the ark of God, and took hold of it; for the oxen shook it. The Hebrew word for “ shook,” means to “ let loose or drop.” The “ Ark,” was in danger of dropping to the ground and being damaged. In an expected reaction Uzzah reached out to stabilise the “ Ark,” and when he did so “ the anger of the Lord was kindled,” ( 6:7 ) “ God smote him there for his error.” ( 6:7 ) that word “ error, means “ for his hastiness.” In his hastiness Uzzah forgot to reverence God. He had no regard for the “ sanctity of the ark.” Uzzah was the son of Abinadab and the “ Ark,” had been in his home for 20 years ( 1 Sam 7:1 ) It was a familiar piece of furniture and it had become to Uzzah just a box. …. is it not so easy to become familiar with holy things ? “ God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints and to be had in reverence of all them that are round about Him.” ( Ps 89:7 )
#4- The Tragedy of God's Wrath DOING THE RIGHT THING IN THE WRONG WAY CAN HAVE BAD CONSEQUENCES. 6: 6-7 And when they came to Nachon’s threshingfloor, Uzzah put forth his hand to the ark of God, and took hold of it; for the oxen shook it. 7 And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzzah; and God smote him there for his error; and there he died by the ark of God. (4) DAVID’S MEEKNESS WAS REAL (a) The Rebuke and God smote him there for his error (b) The Reaction 8 And David was displeased, (c) The Reflection 9 And David was afraid of the LORD that day, (d) The Repentance and said, How shall the ark of the LORD come to me?
#5- The Test of God's Worship JUST BECAUSE THE PAST WAS WRONG DOESN’T MEAN THE FUTURE CAN’T BE BETTER. 6:12-15 (5) DAVID’S MISSION WAS COMPLETED You see, when all else fails read the instructions. During those three months David read his Bible for he comes to this conclusion, “ None ought to carry the ark of God but the Levites for them hath the Lord chosen to carry the ark of God.” ( 1 Chron 15:2 ) He discovered that God is: (a) CONCERNED ABOUT PROPER METHODS: He began by recognising that the “ Ark,” should be carried only by Levites, he discovered that God’s work must be done in God’s way. ( 1 Chron 15:13 ) That God is concerned about our methods as well as our motives ! (b) CONCERNED ABOUT PURE LIVES: For he told the priests “ sanctify yourselves …. that ye may bring up the ark of the Lord God of Israel.” ( 1 Chron 15:12 ) Not only are the right men to do the work, but they are to be righteous men. When God’s work is done by God’s people in God’s way, its revival.
