What Does the Glory Mean to You
2 Sam 6:2-7
2And 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.
3And 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.
4And they brought it out of the house of Abinadab which was at Gibeah, accompanying the ark of God: and Ahio went before the ark.
5And David and all the house of Israel played before the LORD on all manner of instruments made of fir wood, even on harps, and on psalteries, and on timbrels, and on cornets, and on cymbals.
6And 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.
7And 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.
Ps 84:10
10For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.
We have here Uzzah struck dead for touching the ark, when it was upon its journey towards the city of David, a sad providence, which damped their festivity, stopped the progress of the ark, and for the present, dispersed this great assembly, which had come together to attend it, and sent them home in a fright.
Uzzah’s offence seems very small. He and his brother Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, in whose house the ark had long been lodged, having been used to attend it, undertook to drive the cart in which the ark was carried.
This being perhaps the last service they were likely to do it; for others would be employed about it when it came to the city of David. Ahio went before, to clear the way, and to lead the oxen. Uzzah followed close to the side of the cart.
By some accident or other the ark was in danger of being overthrown. Uzzah thereupon laid hold of it, to save it from falling, we have reason to think with a very good intention, to preserve the reputation of the ark.
Yet this was his crime. Uzzah was a Levite, but priests only might touch the ark.
The law was express concerning the Kohathites, that, though they were to carry the ark by the staves, yet they must not touch any holy thing, lest they die.
Num 4:15
And when Aaron and his sons have made an end of covering the sanctuary, and all the vessels of the sanctuary, as the camp is to set forward; after that, the sons of Kohath shall come to bear it: but they shall not touch any holy thing, lest they die. These things are the burden of the sons of Kohath in the tabernacle of the congregation.
Uzzah’s long familiarity with the ark, and the constant attendance he had given to it, might occasion his presumption, but would not excuse it.
His punishment for this offence seems very great (v. 7): The anger of the Lord was kindled against him (for in sacred things he is a jealous God) and he smote him there for his rashness and struck him dead upon the spot.
There he sinned, and there he died, by the ark of God; even the mercy-seat would not save him.
Why was God thus severe with him?
1. The touching of the ark was forbidden to the Levites expressly under pain of death-lest they die.
2. God saw the presumption and irreverence of Uzzah’s heart. Familiarity, even with that which is most holy, is apt to breed contempt.
3. David afterwards owned that Uzzah died for an error they were all guilty of, which was carrying the ark in a cart.
4. God would hereby strike an awe upon the thousands of Israel, would convince them that the ark was never the less venerable for its having been so long in mean circumstances, and thus he would teach them to rejoice with trembling, and always to treat holy things with reverence and holy fear.
5. God would hereby teach us that a good intention will not justify a bad action; it will not suffice to say of that which is ill done that it was well meant.
6. If it was so great a crime for one to lay hold on the ark of the covenant that had no right to do so, what is it for those to lay claim to the privileges of the covenant that come not up to the terms of it?
David did not now act like himself, like a man after God’s own heart. It is not for us to be displeased at any thing that God does no matter how unpleasing it is to us.
David felt as if God were departing from him too; but he ought to have subscribed to the righteousness and wisdom of God in it, and not to have been displeased at it.
He took care to perpetuate the remembrance of this event by a new name he gave to the place: Perez-uzzah, the breach of Uzzah, v. 8.
The memorial of this event would be a warning to future generations to take heed of all rashness and irreverence in dealing about holy things; for God will be sanctified in those that come nigh unto him.
2 Sam 6:10-12
10So David would not remove the ark of the LORD unto him into the city of David: but David carried it aside into the house of Obed-edom the Gittite.
11And the ark of the LORD continued in the house of Obed-edom the Gittite three months: and the LORD blessed Obed-edom, and all his household.
12And it was told king David, saying, The LORD hath blessed the house of Obed-edom, and all that pertaineth unto him, because of the ark of God. So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-edom into the city of David with gladness.
He lodged the ark in a good house, the house of Obed-edom a Levite, which happened to be near the place where this disaster happened.
There it was kindly entertained and welcomed, and continued there three months.
He saw Uzzah struck dead for touching it, and perceived that David himself was afraid of meddling with it, yet he cheerfully invites it to his own house, and opens his doors to it without fear.
It paid well for its entertainment:
The Lord blessed Obed-edom and his entire household. The same hand that punished Uzzah’s proud presumption rewarded Obed-edom’s humble boldness.
Let none think the worse of the gospel for the judgements inflicted on those that reject it, but set in opposition to them the blessings it brings to those that duly receive it.
None ever had, nor ever shall have, reason to say that it is in vain to serve God.
Let heads of families be encouraged to keep God in their families, and to serve God and the interests of his kingdom with their houses and estates, for that is the way to bring a blessing upon all they have.
The ark is a guest which none shall lose by that bid it welcome. Josephus says that, whereas before Obed-edom was poor, on a sudden, in these three months, his estate increased, to the envy of his neighbors.
Devotion is the best friend to prosperity. In wisdom’s left hand are riches and honor. His household shared in the blessing. It is good living in a family that entertains the ark, for all about it will fare the better for it.
Once just a common man with common needs, he now finds himself with the hand of the Lord in his life and household.
Now lend your attention back to Psalms 84:10.
Ps 84:1
The title here is the same as that of Psalms 81, only that was for Asaph, this for the sons of Korah.
This person was one of the chief rebels against Moses and Aaron; there were three, Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, who made an insurrection; and the earth opened, and swallowed them and their faction up, Num 16.
The children of Dathan and Abiram perished with their fathers, but by a particular dispensation of Providence, the children of Korah were spared.
Num 26:11
Notwithstanding the children of Korah died not.
The family of Korah was continued in Israel; and it appears from 1 Chron 26:1-19 that they were still employed about the temple, and was porters or keepers of the doors.
It is possible that one of them might have been the author of Psalms 84.
Just think about it this way. It’s possible that Obed-edom was the author of this Psalm and these words ought to be noted by one who was so touched just to be at the door.
Obed-edom was just happy to be at the door of the temple and we have people today that act as though they have done the Lord a favor by singing or worshiping.
God, help us to be repentant of our wrong attitude toward the house of the Lord and fully realize the wonderful privilege just to be in the presence of the Lord!
