Thoughts on the New Cart

From: The Christian Shepherd: 2001

By: R. Lee

Narrator: Chris Genthree

2 Samuel 6; 1 Chronicles 13 • 3 min. read • grade level: 10

2 Samuel 6 and 1 Chronicles 13

“The anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzzah [Uzza]; and God smote him there for his error, and there he died by the ark of God” (2 Sam. 6:7⁷And 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. (2 Samuel 6:7)).

This account gives us an important principle for those who, placed in some position of responsibility, may act with zeal, but in ignorance of God’s Word. “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God” (Matt. 4:4⁴But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. (Matthew 4:4)). Whether these actions come of ignorance, forgetfulness or willfulness, the effect of disregard for the Word in our service may bring similar, sad results. Though David referred to the Lord on this occasion (see 1 Chron. 13:23), we do not read that he asked the Lord for guidance in moving the ark.

Twenty years earlier (1 Sam. 6:10; 7:2¹⁰And the men did so; and took two milch kine, and tied them to the cart, and shut up their calves at home: (1 Samuel 6:10)
²And it came to pass, while the ark abode in Kirjath-jearim, that the time was long; for it was twenty years: and all the house of Israel lamented after the Lord. (1 Samuel 7:2)), the Philistines used a cart to return the ark to Israel after it had been lost in battle. God allowing the Philistines to move it in this manner and the Levites’ earlier use of a cart to transport other instruments of the tabernacle while in the wilderness may have suggested a reasonable precedent to David. Were not David’s faith and zeal to reclaim the ark and move it to Jerusalem more important than how it was done? But faith does not depend on precedent.

Regardless of the joy that accompanied the ark’s return, the authority for moving it and directions for how to move it did not rest with David. God only sanctions simple obedience to His Word. Real faith always obeys the Word of God without question.

The result of failing to have God’s mind about the handling of the ark resulted in the death of Uzzah, and David’s joy and singing were replaced by sorrow, displeasure and fear. Jehovah’s mind for carrying the ark and those responsible to do so are given in Exodus 25:12-15, 37:35, Numbers 3:30³⁰And the chief of the house of the father of the families of the Kohathites shall be Elizaphan the son of Uzziel. (Numbers 3:30) and Deuteronomy 10:8⁸At that time the Lord separated the tribe of Levi, to bear the ark of the covenant of the Lord, to stand before the Lord to minister unto him, and to bless in his name, unto this day. (Deuteronomy 10:8). Earlier examples of the ark’s correct transport, on the shoulders of the priests, are in Joshua 3:3³And they commanded the people, saying, When ye see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the priests the Levites bearing it, then ye shall remove from your place, and go after it. (Joshua 3:3) and 6:4. Failure to obey these divine instructions is clearly foretold in Numbers 3:10¹⁰And thou shalt appoint Aaron and his sons, and they shall wait on their priest's office: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death. (Numbers 3:10).

Yet the Lord acted in grace and blessing. We read that “the Lord blessed the house of Obed-edom and all that he had” (1 Chron. 13:14¹⁴And the ark of God remained with the family of Obed-edom in his house three months. And the Lord blessed the house of Obed-edom, and all that he had. (1 Chronicles 13:14)). What carefulness those three months of reflection wrought in David! He instructed the priests to carry the ark to Jerusalem (1 Chron.15:12,15). What followed this happy event was joy and gladness, with David blessing the people and giving praise and thanks to the Lord. Jehovah’s approval of the way in which the ark was moved is seen, too, for we read that “God helped the Levites that bare the ark” (vs. 26). The joy of David’s heart bursts forth in a psalm of praise (1 Chron. 16:7-36⁷Then on that day David delivered first this psalm to thank the Lord into the hand of Asaph and his brethren. ⁸Give thanks unto the Lord, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people. ⁹Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him, talk ye of all his wondrous works. ¹⁰Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord. ¹¹Seek the Lord and his strength, seek his face continually. ¹²Remember his marvellous works that he hath done, his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth; ¹³O ye seed of Israel his servant, ye children of Jacob, his chosen ones. ¹⁴He is the Lord our God; his judgments are in all the earth. ¹⁵Be ye mindful always of his covenant; the word which he commanded to a thousand generations; ¹⁶Even of the covenant which he made with Abraham, and of his oath unto Isaac; ¹⁷And hath confirmed the same to Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant, ¹⁸Saying, Unto thee will I give the land of Canaan, the lot of your inheritance; ¹⁹When ye were but few, even a few, and strangers in it. ²⁰And when they went from nation to nation, and from one kingdom to another people; ²¹He suffered no man to do them wrong: yea, he reproved kings for their sakes, ²²Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm. ²³Sing unto the Lord, all the earth; show forth from day to day his salvation. ²⁴Declare his glory among the heathen; his marvellous works among all nations. ²⁵For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised: he also is to be feared above all gods. ²⁶For all the gods of the people are idols: but the Lord made the heavens. ²⁷Glory and honor are in his presence; strength and gladness are in his place. ²⁸Give unto the Lord, ye kindreds of the people, give unto the Lord glory and strength. ²⁹Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness. ³⁰Fear before him, all the earth: the world also shall be stable, that it be not moved. ³¹Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice: and let men say among the nations, The Lord reigneth. ³²Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof: let the fields rejoice, and all that is therein. ³³Then shall the trees of the wood sing out at the presence of the Lord, because he cometh to judge the earth. ³⁴O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever. ³⁵And say ye, Save us, O God of our salvation, and gather us together, and deliver us from the heathen, that we may give thanks to thy holy name, and glory in thy praise. ³⁶Blessed be the Lord God of Israel for ever and ever. And all the people said, Amen, and praised the Lord. (1 Chronicles 16:7‑36)), some of which is found repeated in Psalm 105⁷He is the Lord our God: his judgments are in all the earth. ⁸He hath remembered his covenant for ever, the word which he commanded to a thousand generations. ⁹Which covenant he made with Abraham, and his oath unto Isaac; ¹⁰And confirmed the same unto Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant: ¹¹Saying, Unto thee will I give the land of Canaan, the lot of your inheritance: ¹²When they were but a few men in number; yea, very few, and strangers in it. ¹³When they went from one nation to another, from one kingdom to another people; ¹⁴He suffered no man to do them wrong: yea, he reproved kings for their sakes; ¹⁵Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm. ¹⁶Moreover he called for a famine upon the land: he brake the whole staff of bread. ¹⁷He sent a man before them, even Joseph, who was sold for a servant: ¹⁸Whose feet they hurt with fetters: he was laid in iron: ¹⁹Until the time that his word came: the word of the Lord tried him. ²⁰The king sent and loosed him; even the ruler of the people, and let him go free. ²¹He made him lord of his house, and ruler of all his substance: ²²To bind his princes at his pleasure; and teach his senators wisdom. ²³Israel also came into Egypt; and Jacob sojourned in the land of Ham. ²⁴And he increased his people greatly; and made them stronger than their enemies. ²⁵He turned their heart to hate his people, to deal subtilly with his servants. ²⁶He sent Moses his servant; and Aaron whom he had chosen. ²⁷They showed his signs among them, and wonders in the land of Ham. ²⁸He sent darkness, and made it dark; and they rebelled not against his word. ²⁹He turned their waters into blood, and slew their fish. ³⁰Their land brought forth frogs in abundance, in the chambers of their kings. ³¹He spake, and there came divers sorts of flies, and lice in all their coasts. ³²He gave them hail for rain, and flaming fire in their land. ³³He smote their vines also and their fig trees; and brake the trees of their coasts. ³⁴He spake, and the locusts came, and caterpillers, and that without number, ³⁵And did eat up all the herbs in their land, and devoured the fruit of their ground. ³⁶He smote also all the firstborn in their land, the chief of all their strength. (Psalm 105:7‑36).

Though David failed, there is no doubt he gained appreciation for the Word of God. This was of the highest importance and what was needed then, as it is today. All was used for David and Israel’s benefit, for God was seeking to bring His dear people into greater dependence on Himself and His Word (1 Chron. 15:2²Then David said, None ought to carry the ark of God but the Levites: for them hath the Lord chosen to carry the ark of God, and to minister unto him for ever. (1 Chronicles 15:2)). Surely He desires that for His people today, as well. As one in a position of responsibility among God’s people, David learned to obey God’s Word in everything (1 Chron. 16:40⁴⁰To offer burnt offerings unto the Lord upon the altar of the burnt offering continually morning and evening, and to do according to all that is written in the law of the Lord, which he commanded Israel; (1 Chronicles 16:40)).

Even though times and dispensations have changed, we, too, must learn the vital necessity of relying on God’s Word for guidance—never seeking to change or innovate where He has spoken. May we gain blessing such as David’s through diligent reading of and obedience to the precious Word of God.

R. Lee

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