Many have interpreted God's charge not to touch the ark to mean, "If you touch it, I'll kill you". I interpret it as a warning rather than a threat. God knew that the Ark was Holy and that man's heart in its unregenerate state was full of wickedness. When sin and holiness comes into contact, something has to give way, and its not going to be holiness.
God had more concern for His man than for a box that was intended only for temporary residence.
Very important point to bring up. Sometimes I assume people think this way, but this is not always the case. Thanks for the input.
__________________ When one asked a leader of a Hindu nation what would cause them to move towards Christianity he responded with great clarity and directness, “First, I would suggest all you Christians, missionaries and all, must begin to live more like Jesus Christ. Second, practice your religion without adulterating it or toning it down. Third, emphasize love and make it your working force, for love is central in Christianity. Fourth, study the non-Christian religions more sympathetically to find the good that is within them in order to have a more sympathetic approach to the people.”
2 Samuel 6:11
The ark of the LORD remained in the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite for three months, and the LORD blessed him and his entire household.
Could it be that, for the Jews, under the old covenant, may only enter God's presence through correct procedure, but a Gentile, not under law, remained under grace and was therefore exempt from the penalty?
Not only did God not rage at Obed-Edom for having the Ark in his home, (which was not in accordance with His instructions any more than people touching it or people putting it on a cart) but He blessed him and his entire family!
2 Samuel 6:11
The ark of the LORD remained in the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite for three months, and the LORD blessed him and his entire household.
Could it be that, for the Jews, under the old covenant, may only enter God's presence through correct procedure, but a Gentile, not under law, remained under grace and was therefore exempt from the penalty?
Not only did God not rage at Obed-Edom for having the Ark in his home, (which was not in accordance with His instructions any more than people touching it or people putting it on a cart) but He blessed him and his entire family!
Hmmm.
I assumed he was an Israelite. I think we ought to back up to see how it came to BE at his house.
__________________ When one asked a leader of a Hindu nation what would cause them to move towards Christianity he responded with great clarity and directness, “First, I would suggest all you Christians, missionaries and all, must begin to live more like Jesus Christ. Second, practice your religion without adulterating it or toning it down. Third, emphasize love and make it your working force, for love is central in Christianity. Fourth, study the non-Christian religions more sympathetically to find the good that is within them in order to have a more sympathetic approach to the people.”
What lesson is there for me in learning of the Old Testament incident of Uzzah reaching forth his hand to touch the ark?
That story illustrates God's great holiness as opposed to our great iniquity.
It is better for the ark to touch the ground than for Uzzah to reach out and pollute it because he is a fallen man.
Isaiah 64:6 ESV 6 We have all become like one who is unclean,
and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment.
We all fade like a leaf,
and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.
The actual word for "polluted garmet" or the traditional rendering of "filthy rags" is about the most disgusting term the prophet could use. In the Hebrew Isaiah is literally saying "our righteouness is like a stained menstrual pad". (Please don't get mad. I didn't make that up. I heard it from a theologian. John Macarthur.)
So, when unpurified Uzzah touched the ark that God had made holy with His presence with his lowness and disgrace justice demanded that God kill him on the spot for his iniquity, thoughtlessness, high opinion of himself, and disregard for the Holy Presence of the Creator in thinking that his hand was somehow more clean than the Earth that the Ark would have landed on.
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Saving faith is an immediate relation to Christ, accepting, receiving, resting upon Him alone, for justification, sanctification, and eternal life by virtue of God's grace.
--C.H. Spurgeon
Last edited by DD2008; 21st July 2009 at 04:42 PM.
"The Gittite" (probably so called because he was a native of Gath-rimmon), a Levite of the family of the Korhites,[1] to whom was specially entrusted the custody of the ark.[2] When David was bringing up the ark "from the house of Abinadab, that was in Gibeah" (probably some hill or eminence near Kiriath-jearim), and had reached Nachon's threshing-floor, he became afraid because of the "breach upon Uzzah", and carried it aside into the house of Obededom.[3] There it remained for three months[4] and was to him and his house the occasion of great blessing. David then removed it with great rejoicing to Jerusalem, and set it in the midst of the Tabernacle he had pitched for it.
from Smiths Bible Dictionary
Obededom
(servant of Edom ). A Levite, described as a Gittite, (2 Samuel 6:10,11) that is, probably, a native of the Levitical city of Gath-rimmon in Manasseh, which was assigned to the Kohathites. (Joshua 21:25) (B.C. 1045.) After the death of Uzzah, the ark, which was being conducted from the house of Abinadab in Gibeah to the city of David, was carried aside into the house of Obed edom, where it continued three months. It was brought thence by David. (2 Samuel 6:12; 1 Chronicles 15:25)
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Psa. 3:3 But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.
A Gittite comes from Gath, a Philistine city.
David did at some point conquer it, but I admit I don't know without re-reading a few chapters, whether that was before or after this event.
I do recall being told in a sermon that Oded-Edom was a Philistine, and that his name means slave-of-Edom. Now I see there is some possibility he was a Levite instead. Maybe one of those things that we can't prove either way.
Anyway, I was just popping in because this interested me, but am not allowed to debate, which this might be getting towards, so having said all that I'll try to keep quiet. Hope nobody minded.
That story illustrates God's great holiness as opposed to our great iniquity.
It is better for the ark to touch the ground than for Uzzah to reach out and pollute it because he is a fallen man.
__________________ Jesus came to set the captives free, not to make the prison cells more adaptable with cable television & an outside view . He wants people out!
A Gittite comes from Gath, a Philistine city.
David did at some point conquer it, but I admit I don't know without re-reading a few chapters, whether that was before or after this event.
I do recall being told in a sermon that Oded-Edom was a Philistine, and that his name means slave-of-Edom. Now I see there is some possibility he was a Levite instead. Maybe one of those things that we can't prove either way.
Anyway, I was just popping in because this interested me, but am not allowed to debate, which this might be getting towards, so having said all that I'll try to keep quiet. Hope nobody minded.
not me, I dont mind, I didn't know if he was a levite or a philistine so I done a quick search...I don't think they would have put the ark in the house of an unbeliever tho...
Mike.
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Psa. 3:3 But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.
Very important point to bring up. Sometimes I assume people think this way, but this is not always the case. Thanks for the input. 
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