2 Samuel 6:6-11
6 But when they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah reached out toward the ark of God and took hold of it, because the oxen nearly overturned it.
7 And the anger of the Lord burned against Uzzah, and God struck him down there for his irreverence; and he died there by the ark of God.
8 Then David became angry because of the Lord’s outburst against Uzzah; and that place has been called Perez-uzzah to this day.
9 So David was afraid of the Lord that day; and he said, “How can the ark of the Lord come to me?”
10 And David was unwilling to move the ark of the Lord into the city of David with him; but David took it aside to the house of Obed-edom, the Gittite.
11 The ark of the Lord remained in the house of Obed-edom the Gittite for three months, and the Lord blessed Obed-edom and all his household.
Uzzah’s Death
A new cart
The Ark of God was placed on a new cart to be transported. It was guided by Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab. David and the whole army of Israel brought up the Ark with praise and dancing. However, transporting the Ark on an ox cart was a violation of the Law. (1) The Ark of God was not to be placed on an ox cart, imitating the Philistines (ref. 1 Sam. 6:7), but was to be carried on the shoulders of the Levites. This task was specifically assigned to the Kohathites, a clan within the tribe of Levi. (2) Moreover, even if someone was from the Kohathite clan, they were warned that touching the holy Ark would result in death (Num. 4:14-15). This warning was given to teach the people of Israel that the Ark symbolized the holy presence of God.
Uzzah’s death
The joyful shouts of the people were instantly turned into fearful silence. (1) When the oxen nearly upset the Ark, Uzzah reached out his hand to steady it. At that moment, the anger of God burned against him, and he died instantly. (2) David, now fearful that many might die if they continued transporting the Ark, redirected it to the house of Obed-edom the Gittite. This man belonged to the Kohathite clan of the Korahites (ref. 1 Chron. 26:1-4). Let us take note of the difference between Uzzah and Obed-edom. (1) Uzzah, having lived near the Ark for a long time, likely lost his sense of awe toward the presence of God. Reaching out his hand so casually to touch the Ark revealed his overconfidence. (2) Obed-edom, on the other hand, did not refuse to house the Ark of God. He welcomed it into his home with a humble attitude, and as a result, he received the Lord’s blessing for three months. (3) Approaching the presence of Christ with an irreverent attitude is dangerous, but seeking His presence with reverence brings great blessing. Let us examine ourselves once again to see if there is any irreverence like Uzzah’s in our hearts. If we draw near to the presence of Christ with the reverence of Obed-edom, we too will receive the blessing of God.
Today's prayer
Heavenly Father, please cultivate within me a reverent heart and a childlike trust toward You. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.