Warriors Arise: February 13, 2023
1 Chronicles 15:25-26 (NKJV) So David, the elders of Israel, and the captains over thousands went to bring up the ark of the covenant of the Lord from the house of Obed-Edom with joy. 26 And so it was, when God helped the Levites who bore the ark of the covenant of the Lord, that they offered seven bulls and seven rams.
They are thrilled God helped the Levites who bore the ark. In their joy, they offered a burnt offering. Matter-of-fact, they offered the sacrifice after the Levites had taken only six steps.
2 Samuel 6:12-13 (NKJV) So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-Edom to the City of David with gladness. 13 And so it was, when those bearing the ark of the Lord had gone six paces, that he sacrificed oxen and fatted sheep.
This is a mystery to me. This is like pulling out of your driveway onto the road and stopping to get out and worship God. However, it wasn't just that they stopped after six steps, it they had to build an altar. Did all of the sacrifices get offered on the same altar or were their several altars. Why is this important? Because if they burnt them all on the same altar it would have taken a long time. If they could offer them all on separate altars the pause in transporting the ark to the City of David might have resumed quicker. However, building all the altars would have taken longer. They would have to transport and build each altar. I want us to grasp the concept of time.
Many times we are in a hurry to get somewhere, even when it is a God-thing, and we do not take the time to worship God from the beginning. The Levites took six steps and then their brothers built an altar and sacrificed the bulls, rams, oxen, and fattened sheep. It makes a chuckle inside, as I think God helped the Levites who bore the ark; because if they didn't know David was planning for the sacrifices, they could've been a little perturbed at stopping. They had just begun, everything was going well, no one was struck by God; so let's keep this moving. But David stops them after six steps and he thinks this is a victory. How many of us would think that is a victory. Did Uzzah only make it 5 steps before the cart appeared to falter and he reached out and touched the ark? I don't know. I have studied and tried to find more details, but to no avail. I am curious. My mind has difficulty with the Levites stopping after six steps and then carrying the ark on their shoulders; while everyone around them is busy doing the work of building the altar, preparing the sacrifices, and then watching the sacrifices burn while everyone is celebrating and dancing around.
This scene makes me think of the solders who stand guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. They are focused. They are prepared. They are chosen. They do not deviate from their position or responsibilities for anything, not even in a hurricane. They take intentional steps and stop the same exact about of time each time at each spot. Even in war, there is always a regiment of soldiers who take turns guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. They volunteer for this position.
The Levites were chosen by God. Their forefathers had carried the ark in the desert for nearly forty years. They had stood in the Jordan River as the Israelites crossed over. They had carried the ark into battle. The last to carry the ark this way had died in battle. But now it was time to bring the ark home. Now was the time for celebration. God was being returned to His rightful place among the people. The people should celebrate, offerings and sacrifices should be made, and they would wait and watch.
Six paces, that is all they had taken.
Six paces, and the celebration begins.
Six paces, and they would watch as the altar is built.
Six paces, and the sacrifices are prepared.
Six paces, and the offerings were made.
Maybe I am looking at this all wrong. Maybe I should be in impressed they knew by the sixth step God was for them. To recognize God's favor upon my life or activity He has called me to do by the sixth step, by the sixth action or the sixth day. That changes my perspective. How many times did God confirm for Gideon that He had called him to overtake the Midianites? The fleece two times, letting part of the army go because it was too big, letting part of the army go that didn't lap the water when drinking, and then God told him he could go down to the Midianite camp and listen. A Midianite warrior had a dream and interpreted it in Gideon's favor. That's five off the top of my head. However, we could count that he tore down his father's altar to Baal as the first of the six steps. After all of those, Gideon and the 300 men route the Midianites and chase them down.
For David, he knew by the sixth step God was for them. At the point of knowing, God had accepted being transported by the Levites this way, would have also brought peace. I wonder if they held their breath for the first six steps. When David stopped them to build the altar and burn the sacrifices, the peace of God came upon their hearts and mind.
At what point, do you know God is for you?
At what point, do you offer up a sacrifice of praise?
At what point, do you celebrate what God has done?
Father, to know by the sixth step, sixth minute, sixth action that You approve what I am doing. I come before You. I desire to see You. I want to see that I am doing the right thing, the way You want it done. I want to be able to notice Your approval. I want to declare to others peace. I want to lead others in worshipping You. I may not be done, but I see Your favor with what I am doing and where we are headed. I will look for You. I will watch for Your approval. I will honor You. I will worship You. I will make the sacrifices and give an offering. You will make Your desires known. I will watch and listen. I will recognize Your presence, Your desires, and Your approval in Jesus' name amen.
A Warrior in the Lord’s Army,
Veridee Joy Hand
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