READING: 1 Chronicles 12-14
It surely seemed quite severe, actually. The Israelites were moving the Ark of the Covenant from the home of Abinadab to Jerusalem, and Uzzah reached out to steady it when it wobbled on its transportation cart. We read next that “the Lord’s anger burned against Uzzah, and he struck him down because he had put his hand on the ark. So he died there before God” (1 Chron 13:10). It was just a brief touch, it seems, but still it cost Uzzah his life.
Not only were Uzzah and Ahio transporting the Ark in a manner different from what God commanded (only the sons of Kohath were to carry it with poles on their shoulders; Exo 25:12-15, Num 3:30-31), but they were not to touch the Ark (Num 4:15). These regulations, followed by Uzzah’s death for breaking them, were a dramatic reminder of the holiness of God represented by the Ark. The readers from that day on — including us — would be reminded that we may approach God only on His terms.
It’s possible that Uzzah’s logical reaction to steady the ark was also a reflection of his ease with the holy things of God. The Ark had been in the home of Abinadab for decades; Uzzah was a son of Abinadab, so he may have grown accustomed to being in the Ark’s presence. It’s possible he had grown to take holiness for granted. If so, God dramatically taught His people again that there is no place for such ease in the presence of holiness. Indeed, even David feared God after the incident with Uzzah (1 Chron 13:12).
My concern is that we who live our lives among the people of God hearing the stories of God can ourselves grow far too comfortable in the presence of holiness. We treat God as our “buddy” without recognizing His majesty. We assume that judgment is only for other people, forgetting that all of us will answer for the way we live (2 Cor 5:10). Sometimes, we sing of God’s holiness even as we live lives of unholiness.
If we really understood the holiness of God, we would live differently.
ACTION STEPS:
- On a scale of 1-10 (with 1=not at all, and 10=very much), rate how much your understanding of God’s holiness really affects your life.
- Meditate on His holiness today. If you know the words to the hymn, “Holy, Holy, Holy,” let them echo in your head today.
PRAYER: “God, You are holy. Help me to live in that truth today.”
TOMORROW’S READING: 1 Chronicles 15-17
