But when they arrived at the threshing floor of Nacon, the oxen stumbled, and Uzzah reached out his hand to steady the Ark. Then the Lord’s anger was aroused against Uzzah, and he struck him dead because he had laid his hand on the Ark. So Uzzah died there in the presence of God. – 1 Chronicles 13: 9-10

The story of Uzzah is probably one of the most heartwrenching and “difficult to digest” stories in the Old Testament.

But within it lies a very crucial and powerful message.

Leading up to this tragic scene, David had just been declared the new King of Israel after King Saul’s death.

And the first task he set out to accomplish as the new king was to bring back the Ark of the Covenant which was displaced and neglected during King Saul’s reign.

Sounds like a noble endeavor, right? Well, it was, but at the same time it wasn’t.

Because like his ancestors before him, David skipped a very important step before trying to move the Ark.

He didn’t talk to God first!

He decided to handle the Ark as he saw fit. He consulted with all of his officials and army generals, but neglected to have a consultation with God or read the fine print of the Mosiac and Levitical laws.

If he had, he would’ve recalled that it was the Levites who were strictly designated to carry the Ark from place to place.

He and his nephew Uzzah were from the tribe of Judah.

And unfortunately, like Aaron’s sons and others who died in the presence of the Lord because they did not follow proper procedures, Uzzah met the same fate.

Both Moses and Joshua gave stern warnings to the Israelites to keep the law close to their hearts, meditating on it day and night so they might not sin against the Lord and die.

So we should understand that it wasn’t God’s desire at all for Uzzah to die.

What God desired for Uzzah and for the rest of the Israelites was that they would obey Him with sincere humility so that they would live.

So this should be a lesson for us today:

We can’t do things our own way and call it good if it doesn’t align with Jesus’ teachings. We can’t make up the rules as we go as if His word is just a series of suggestions.

When we don’t take Bible study seriously, we drop our crosses that Jesus told us to pick up, and we follow the direction of our own hearts instead of Him.

But thank goodness we serve a merciful God that will come running after us when we stray!

Let’s just try not to make Him run too far.

Be blessed,

Alexia

Prayer: God, as I continue my faith walk, I pray that you help me to hide your word in my heart so that I might not sin against you by following my own way instead of Yours. Jesus, guide me closer and closer to you every day so that I may comprehend your teachings and be a doer, not just a passive hearer of your word. In Jesus’ Name, I pray, Amen.