uzzah

Recently I reread through the life of David in search of leadership and spiritual principles. Probably one of the most memorable stories for me is when David decides to bring the arc of the covenant back to the city of God's people, back to the tent of meeting. I'm sure many have read the account of Uzzah and how he was one of the few chosen to transport the ark from Baalah in Judah to the newly established Jerusalem. If you've read 2 Sam 6, you remember that David had his men put the arc onto an ox cart to transport. This was, however, a mistake because the Israelites were commanded by God to move the arc in a very specific way by Levitical priests serving as pole bearers hoisting the arc up in the air. The idea to put it on an ox cart was a method practiced by the Philistines- no doubt a method learned by David living in Gath for almost a third of his life.

This story causes much discomfort for many Christians, because it is a story about God striking Uzzah dead in response to him steadying the arc as the oxen stumbled. If you think about it, bracing the arc was the most natural reaction a person would have. When something is about to fall, especially something as valuable as the arc of the covenant, a person would leap over a wall to try and stop it from crashing down.

But God killed Uzzah.

This is a very involved and poignant story of the Bible. Doesn't really flatter the flannegragh board. Of course the message of this historical account is that David knew the correct way to transport the arc and in disobedience to bring the arc in a more economical and inventive way David pays for his sin. And a lot of the time you are not the only person that goes through pain when you sin.

But perhaps God is telling us more. Throughout Christian history the world has suffered through followers of God trying their best to prop God up when in actuality He doesn't need any propping up. The story of Uzzah's unfortunate death should be a heart-startling reminder that it is not our place to prop up God. It is God's place to prop up us. There have been too many preachers exaggerating miracles. There have been too many creating faith through hype. There have been too many defending the church through means of public broadcast or picketing with signs. There have been too many trying to speak for God when they don't have the answers. There have been too many going to war with the enemies of God when God never asked them to.

You were not created to fight God's battles. God knows what he is doing and isn't depending on you to hold him up and protect His reputation.