1Ch 13:6-10 | KingComments | STEP | The whole people agree with David that the ark should be picked up. Is this because of their own conviction or because they see the better leader in David compared to Saul? A leader is followed, especially when he is popular ( ; ; ), but on what basis? When the opponents of the Lord Jesus say of Him: “Look, the world has gone after Him” ( ), for many of them to “go after Him” is nothing more than curiosity. In all David’s zeal we do not read that he consults the Word of God. What did he think the poles were meant for ( )? And were the sons of Kohath not appointed to carry the ark ( )? David seems to have forgotten it all. A new cart seems to him a suitable means of transporting the ark. David’s new cart is his own invention, which seems to be copied from the Philistines ( ). In the same way, by Christians to honor Christ, the methods of the (religious) world are adopted, while the precepts of God’s Word are ignored. About the transport of the ark the LORD said very simply that it must be carried ( ). David’s zeal and joy to bring the ark back does not take sufficient account of God’s thoughts. He works in a Philistine manner and, like them, transports the ark on a cart. The fact that the whole parade is attended by enthusiastic people accompanied by a large music band cannot conceal the fact that the way it is done is disobedience to God’s Word. Bringing the ark to Jerusalem is not wrong in itself. Neither is it wrong to do this with enthusiasm. Also the use of musical instruments is not wrong. It is only all wrong because it is done according to one’s own insight, without consulting the LORD and His Word. Often we are tempted to judge worship by our feelings, how we feel about it. But when we remember that worship is meant for God, we are referred to His Word to know how He wants Himself to be worshiped ( ). If we read this history, we see that it is a matter of joy, singing, all kinds of musical instruments, a new cart and cattle. What we miss is the mention of a humble heart that is aware of the holiness of God represented by the ark. The use of a cart shows that an alternative was sought to the way God had said the ark should be transported. The ark is also ‘held up’ by the cart, just as it is when it is carried on the priests’ shoulders. Why not then in this way, so one could argue? But ‘the transport on a cart’ represents in the spiritual application a way of ‘carrying’ which is separate from the spiritual efforts of those ‘who have to carry the ark’. And these efforts and exercises are precious to God, for these efforts and exercises increase with the ‘carriers’ the real spiritual understanding of the Person of Christ, of whom the ark, as we know, is a picture. The use of other means prevents this from happening. David could have been sure of God’s will if he had acted according to the king’s law, of which he as king should have a copy ( ). That’s why the punishment he gets is so severe. The Levites and all the people should also have known how God wants the ark to be transported. For the Levites regularly read the law to the whole people ( ). This is also an important lesson for us. The longing for the place where the Lord Jesus is in the midst is one thing. It is something else to put this desire into practice in a good way. While we may know exactly God’s thoughts and where He dwells, we remain dependent on Him for all the steps we take. Good intentions, zeal, enthusiasm and joy are not enough. We must also act in accordance with the Scriptures, also when it comes to the center and the way of meeting. Obedience is better than the sacrifice of diligence. Others can act according to the faith they have in a God Whom they do not know personally. We see this in the Philistines, who send the ark back on a cart. However, the people of God must be led by God’s Word.

‏ 1 Chronicles 13:6-10

The Ark on a New Cart

The whole people agree with David that the ark should be picked up. Is this because of their own conviction or because they see the better leader in David compared to Saul? A leader is followed, especially when he is popular (2Sam 15:13; 1Kgs 1:5; Gal 2:11-13), but on what basis? When the opponents of the Lord Jesus say of Him: “Look, the world has gone after Him” (Jn 12:19), for many of them to “go after Him” is nothing more than curiosity.

In all David’s zeal we do not read that he consults the Word of God. What did he think the poles were meant for (Exo 25:14 ; Exo 40:20)? And were the sons of Kohath not appointed to carry the ark (Num 4:15a)? David seems to have forgotten it all. A new cart seems to him a suitable means of transporting the ark. David’s new cart is his own invention, which seems to be copied from the Philistines (1Sam 6:11a). In the same way, by Christians to honor Christ, the methods of the (religious) world are adopted, while the precepts of God’s Word are ignored.

About the transport of the ark the LORD said very simply that it must be carried (Num 4:15a). David’s zeal and joy to bring the ark back does not take sufficient account of God’s thoughts. He works in a Philistine manner and, like them, transports the ark on a cart. The fact that the whole parade is attended by enthusiastic people accompanied by a large music band cannot conceal the fact that the way it is done is disobedience to God’s Word. Bringing the ark to Jerusalem is not wrong in itself. Neither is it wrong to do this with enthusiasm. Also the use of musical instruments is not wrong. It is only all wrong because it is done according to one’s own insight, without consulting the LORD and His Word.

Often we are tempted to judge worship by our feelings, how we feel about it. But when we remember that worship is meant for God, we are referred to His Word to know how He wants Himself to be worshiped (Jn 4:23-24). If we read this history, we see that it is a matter of joy, singing, all kinds of musical instruments, a new cart and cattle. What we miss is the mention of a humble heart that is aware of the holiness of God represented by the ark.

The use of a cart shows that an alternative was sought to the way God had said the ark should be transported. The ark is also ‘held up’ by the cart, just as it is when it is carried on the priests’ shoulders. Why not then in this way, so one could argue?

But ‘the transport on a cart’ represents in the spiritual application a way of ‘carrying’ which is separate from the spiritual efforts of those ‘who have to carry the ark’. And these efforts and exercises are precious to God, for these efforts and exercises increase with the ‘carriers’ the real spiritual understanding of the Person of Christ, of whom the ark, as we know, is a picture. The use of other means prevents this from happening.

David could have been sure of God’s will if he had acted according to the king’s law, of which he as king should have a copy (Deu 17:18-20). That’s why the punishment he gets is so severe. The Levites and all the people should also have known how God wants the ark to be transported. For the Levites regularly read the law to the whole people (Deu 31:9-13).

This is also an important lesson for us. The longing for the place where the Lord Jesus is in the midst is one thing. It is something else to put this desire into practice in a good way. While we may know exactly God’s thoughts and where He dwells, we remain dependent on Him for all the steps we take. Good intentions, zeal, enthusiasm and joy are not enough. We must also act in accordance with the Scriptures, also when it comes to the center and the way of meeting. Obedience is better than the sacrifice of diligence.

Others can act according to the faith they have in a God Whom they do not know personally. We see this in the Philistines, who send the ark back on a cart. However, the people of God must be led by God’s Word.

The Death of Uzza

When the procession comes to “the threshing floor of Chidon”, what no one foresaw or even expected happens. The threshing floor is the place where the corn is gathered to separate the chaff from the corn. There is a lot of chaff in this whole parade and God is going to blow it away. The own method chosen for the transport of the ark is chaff. This method may seem more certain than the shoulders of the Levites, but that's just appearance.

We can apply this to all kinds of man-made forms of religion with the intention of protecting the honor of Christ. All these forms have proven to be no guarantee for securing that honor. Confessional writings have taken the place of the Bible and have led the people away from the Scriptures. This opens the door to thoughts about Christ and His work that are against God’s thoughts and that lead the Christian to spiritual death.

Such methods must then be judged by God, no matter how well-intentioned the intentions are. Methods of the flesh do not fit with spiritual things. God must judge Uzza’s well-intentioned attempt to seize the ark with his hand and thereby save it from falling. It is an unauthorized touch of the ark.

For those who are not spiritual, Uzza’s blocking of the ark seems logical and recommended. But what goes against the Scriptures cannot please God. “Which is highly esteemed among men is detestable in the sight of God” (Lk 16:15). The glorified Christ should not be touched by strange teachings and traditions of men.

This is the first judgment during David’s government, right from the start. We also see this judgment at the beginning of the priesthood and at the beginning of the church. Just as Nadab and Abihu and Ananias and Sapphira die before God (Lev 10:1-2; Acts 5:1-11), so here Uzza dies before God.