This chapter parallels 2 Samuel 6 and describes the transportation of the ark of God toward Jerusalem.
“And David and all Israel were celebrating before God with all their might, with song and lyres and harps and tambourines and cymbals and trumpets. And when they came to the threshing floor of Chidon, Uzzah put out his hand to take hold of the ark, for the oxen stumbled. And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzzah, and he struck him down because he put out his hand to the ark, and he died there before God. And David was angry because the Lord had broken out against Uzzah.” (v8-11a)
This event along journey to Jerusalem put a somber mood over the celebration. Uzzah (who helped safe-guard the ark the last few years) grabs the ark to keep it from falling, and God strikes him dead. David becomes angry with God and places the ark in storage for another 3 months before finally moving it into Jerusalem (our passage from yesterday).
Touching any of the tabernacle’s holy things was strictly forbidden for all except the priests (see Num 4:1-15), and even they were not to touch the ark itself. The ark was God’s mercy seat, where His presence dwelt. God warned His people that any who touched the holy things would die (Num 4:15).
Despite the law, David was angry with God. Have you ever been angry with God, even though He didn’t actually do anything wrong? I have. I used to get angry with Him for allowing “good people” to suffer. For the longest time I held God responsible for allowing suffering, though I slowly learned that suffering is a result of sin (our fault, not His).
It can be easy to be angry with God, even though He is fulfilling His words, promises, and warnings to us. Is it fair to be angry with Him? Is our anger possibly misdirected? If we’re angry at Him for punishing or allowing consequences, should we not be angry at the sin which led to the punishment or consequence?
Isaiah helped put this into perspective for me: “He was despised and rejected by men… and we esteemed him not. Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows… But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned – every one – to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” (Isa 53:3-6 abr)
Isaiah prophesied that Jesus (God in the flesh) would be hated and despised by people, yet He still took the punishment for all of our sin, and His self-sacrifice opened the door for our healing. How can we be justifiably angry with a God who loves us that much? Who is in the wrong here?
I encourage us to examine the targets of our anger and frustration, and learn to hate evil, not the One who promises to save us from evil. Let’s forgive those who have unjustly received our anger or bitterness, and let’s ask forgiveness of that sin. Let’s strive to be loving people, not angry people – remember, anger is not a fruit of the Spirit – but love, kindness, goodness, gentleness and self-control are.
Father God, our Righteous and Awesome Lord, You are magnificent beyond compare. Father Your word and law are above reproach, and Your ways are just. Father please forgive us for any unjust anger in our hearts, whether it’s directed at You or someone else. May we learn to forgive and seek forgiveness, and further your legacy of love. In the name of Jesus, the One who released us from the bondage of sin, amen.
~ Conqueror in Training