Warriors Arise: January 13, 2023
2 Samuel 6:1-5 (NKJV Strong's,) Again David gathered all the choice men of Israel, thirty thousand. 2 And David arose and went with all the people who were with him from Baale Judah to bring up from there the ark of God, whose name is called by the Name, the Lord of Hosts, who dwells between the cherubim. 3 So they set the ark of God on a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill; and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drove the new cart. 4 And they brought it out of the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill, accompanying the ark of God; and Ahio went before the ark. 5 Then David and all the house of Israel played music before the Lord on all kinds of instruments of fir wood, on harps, on stringed instruments, on tambourines, on sistrums, and on cymbals.
Scripture tells us how the ark was transported from the Philistine back to Israel, two cows yoked together, pulling a cart with the ark on top. The cows enter Israelite territory and stopped at Beth Shemesh. But, they didn't want it. Maybe they had heard what happened with the Philistines, the tumors and such, so they didn't want God to strike them. Maybe they didnt' feel worthy of having the ark. Maybe they were rejecting God, because they felt God and rejected them when the Philistines won the battle. In 1 Samuel 6:21, we find out they sent messengers to the inhabitants of Kirjath Jearim for them to come get the ark. The men of Kirjath Jearim retrieved the ark of the LORD and took it to Abinadab's house on the hill. They consecrated Eleazar, his son, to keep the ark of the LORD.
Now, in 2 Samuel 6, there had been several years pass, possibly 60 years or more. Those facts I have not solidified. It would appear that the ark of the LORD was lost in battle before Samuel ruled as judge and before Saul became the first king of Israel. Then another 7 years after Saul was killed in battle and David was crowned king of all Israel. The Bible continues to reference the house of Abinadab, but we do not know if he is still alive or even if Eleazar, his son, the one who was consecrated to keep the ark of the LORD, is still alive when King David arrives to escort the ark to Jerusalem. I would think if Abinadab and Eleazar were still alive they would be mentioned in the escorting of the ark.
It had been many years. A lot can be forgotten in many years. A lot can be remembered incorrectly. Details can be altered over the telling of things. Also, the story can be embellished for our personal benefit or to make us look better in the past situation. I do not believe that time healing all wounds. I agree that there does need to be time to cool off, before addressing an issue; but too much time can cause stagnation and stagnate water stinks and can become poisonous to vegetation and animal life. My point, a lot of time has passed and knowledge has not been passed through the generations.
Over the course of time when the Ark of the LORD was lost in battle and wasn't reinstated to it's position within the nation of Israel, the nation of Israel became stagnate. They had pushed the Living Water, the giver of new life out of their lives. A few here and there still worshipped God. Most of it was left up to the Levites and their rules and a few continued their own practice of seeking the Lord and worshipping Him, like David had.
God was meant to be the center of His people and still is today. Even when they traveled in the desert, the tribes of Israel were assigned sides of the Tabernacle to set up their tents. They were positioned around the Tabernacle. We are not to confuse the Tabernacle with the Tent of Meetings. The Tent of Meetings is where God met with Moses and spoke to him face to face. This was not in the Tabernacle of the LORD. God is to be the center of our lives.
When Israel did not bring the ark of the LORD to the center of the people, they had removed a part of who they were. They were God's people. He wanted to be in their midst. God is not going to force Himself upon us. He is not going to make us worship Him. He is not harsh, demanding or overbearing. God is just, loving, compassionate, full of mercy and grace. He does want to be pursued. He wants us to want be in His presence. He wants us to want to worship Him. It isn't worship if is isn't from a heart of gratitude, reverence, submission, and love. We can't love God if we haven't received His love (1 John 4:9). He offers His love, but He doesn't force us to take it. The house of Abinadab had received the ark of the LORD and worshiped God.
Father, this is so concerning. I can become blinded, thinking I can live life without You. I can be blinded thinking that if someone in America is worshipping You, then I am covered. But You want me to pursue You. You want me to know You. You want me to minister to You, personally. You do not want me to leave that up to someone else. I want to be able to influence others to purse You. I want to be able to introduce those who do not know You, to a life that is worth living, because they know You. I pray for our nation to bring You back to the center. I pray for our nation to be one nation under God in body, soul, and spirit. I pray for the Gospel of Jesus Christ to go out to all people in our nation and round the world. I pray for revival in the hearts of the people in America. I pray for You to stir the waters that have been stagnate far too long. I pray for new life to come in Jesus' name amen.
A Warrior in the Lord’s Army,
Veridee Joy Hand
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