The Big Bounce - Pt. 1 - Unequal Series

“The Big Bounce”

Pt. 1 - Unequal

Text:

1 Samuel 4:11

The ark of God was captured; and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, died.

1 Chronicles 13:1-14

David consulted with all of his leaders, the commanders of thousands and of hundreds. Then David addressed the entire assembly of Israel, "If it seems right to you, and it is God's will, let's invite all our relatives wherever they are throughout Israel, along with their relatives, including their priests and Levites from their cities and surrounding pastures, to join us. And let's bring the Chest of our God back—the Chest that was out of sight, out of mind during the days of Saul." (3 and let us bring the ark of our God back to us, for we have not inquired at it since the days of Saul.)

The entire assembly of Israel agreed—everybody agreed that it was the right thing to do. So David gathered all Israel together, from Egypt's Pond of Horus in the southwest to the Pass of Hamath in the northeast, to go and get the Chest of God from Kiriath Jearim.

Then David and all Israel went to Baalah (Kiriath Jearim) in Judah to bring back the Chest of God, the "Cherubim-Throne-of-God," where God's Name is invoked. They moved the Chest of God on a brand-new cart from the house of Abinadab with Uzzah and Ahio in charge. In procession with the Chest of God, David and all Israel worshiped exuberantly in song and dance, with a marching band of all kinds of instruments.

When they were at the threshing floor of Kidon, the oxen stumbled and Uzzah grabbed the Chest to keep it from falling off. God erupted in anger against Uzzah and killed him because he grabbed the Chest. He died on the spot—in the presence of God. David lost his temper, angry because God exploded against Uzzah; the place is still called Perez Uzzah (Exploded Uzzah). David was terrified of God that day; he said, "How can I possibly continue this parade with the Chest of God?" So David called off the parade of the Chest to the City of David; instead he stored it in the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite. The Chest of God was in storage in the house of Obed-Edom for three months. God blessed the family of Obed-Edom and everything around him.

2 Samuel 6:6 - When they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, the oxen stumbled, so Uzzah reached out and grabbed the Chest of God.

2 Samuel 6:12-15 - It was reported to King David that God had prospered Obed-Edom and his entire household because of the Chest of God. So David thought, "I'll get that blessing for myself," and went and brought up the Chest of God from the house of Obed-Edom to the City of David, celebrating extravagantly all the way, with frequent sacrifices of choice bulls. (KJV says offered sacrifice every six steps) David, ceremonially dressed in priest's linen, danced with great abandon before God (how many of you know sometimes you have got to do what you have never done to get what you have never had?). The whole country was with him as he accompanied the Chest of God with shouts and trumpet blasts.

Introduction

A wise man once said “An unexamined life is not worth living.” This message is about examining your life.

A. Crown doesn’t equal Covering!

As we begin to digest the passages of Scripture there is a very telling statement found in I Chronicles 13: 3. That one sentence tells us that the nation of Israel did not seek the ark during the days of Saul. From the time that it was lost in battle until David decides to pursue the presence of God most commentaries believe it was approximately 20 years. It is an indictment against the entire nation, but the responsibility and mindset that gets them to that place is directly attributable to the king.

I want the insight of that verse to get that in your mind and spirit. The glory and tangible presence of God was absent for 20 years and no one missed it. It was out of sight and out of mind. They continued to conduct business as usual.

Saul didn’t pursue the ark but he continued to be king. He continued to live in the opulence of the palace. He continued to be surrounded by blessings. He continued to dine on the finest foods and wear the most ornate clothes. He still slept between satin sheets. He gets up every day and much like we slap a ball hat on our head, he places the symbol of his authority and anointing on his brow . . . the king’s crown. However, just because he wears the crown doesn’t mean he is covered!