Warriors Arise: January 14, 2023
2 Samuel 6:6-8 (NKJV) And when they came to Nachon's threshing floor, Uzzah put out his hand to the ark of God and took hold of it, for the oxen stumbled. 7 Then the anger of the Lord was aroused against Uzzah, and God struck him there for his error; and he died there by the ark of God. 8 And David became angry because of the Lord's outbreak against Uzzah; and he called the name of the place Perez Uzzah to this day.
There is an animated movie called the "Emperor's New Groove" In that movie, the emperor speaks to the one trying to help him and tells him, "No touchy." In that particular scene, it is funny; however, what happened here is tragic. It is not funny at all.
Uzzah was only trying to make sure the Ark of the Covenant didn't crash to the ground. In the split second the oxen stumbled, I am sure he was not thinking. He was responding. If I was next to the cart when the oxen stumble I am sure I would have done the same thing. I have been accused of being too helpful. Some of that is because of my upbringing. With my mom being in a wheelchair, I would quicken my steps so I would get to the door before my dad, so the door was open when they reach it. Especially, if it was rainy or cold. I was taught to be a helper, to be aware of people's needs and to assist if I could. It's natural for people, who did not know my upbringing, to think I was getting in the way or feeling I didn't think they could do it. It was natural for me to help. If you know the 5 Love Languages, by Gary Smalley, my number one love language is "quality time" or working together to accomplish a task. My kids have a love-hate view of Mother's Day. They love celebrating me on Mother's Day, but it is also the day I have asked for no grumbling and with that, we are generally going to get some yard work done, weeding the flowerbeds and planting new flowers. They have asked me, "Mom, why do you want to work on your special day? We should be celebrating and doing fun things."
To which I respond, "Because it is the only day I can get you to do these things without the complaining, arguing or grumbling." Going back to Uzzah, I can totally relate to what He did. There are times I helped people who didn't want my help and they let me know either with a sharp tone, stinking words or the cold chill of the room. I have had to learn to step back and realize they do not have the same love language as I do. They don't want my help; therefore, it is not seen as helping or love. They need to do it themselves and I have to let them.
God didn't need Uzzah's help. He could have made it all the way, just with the oxen, if that is how He wanted to return. He returned the ark to Israel from he Philistines on a cart being pulled by two cows. What is different now? Now there were people there wanting to help, but not helping in the way that honored God. Uzzah couldn't touch the ark because of God's presence. We do not even know if Uzzah was a priest. No one, not even a priest, could touch the ark. I totally understand that Uzzah wanted to protect the Ark of the Covenant, where the presence of God sat. However, God had set the protocol and they needed to be honored.
How many times do we undermine what God has said, because of the circumstances in the moment? God will give us instructions to do to honor Him. We need to do it the way He has said. God loves. There is not question about that. However, we demonstrate our love to Him by doing what He has told us to do, the way He has told us to do it. Jesus honored God, His Father, by going to the cross. He could have avoided the cross. He even asked God if there was another way. There was not so Jesus followed protocol.
There are at least two things to learn from this passage. The first, above all, God is to be honored and revered. We do what He has told us to do His way with honor and a good attitude. The second, God is to be trusted. He can take care of Himself. The warriors of Israel didn't free the ark from the Philistines. He had freed it Himself. No one was praying for God to return. Had they forgotten about the two cows returning the ark of the LORD without a driver or guide. God could take care of Himself. He didn't need Uzzah to reach out and "protect" it. He needed the people to remember how it was to be honored and revered. God had given specific instructions on how the Ark of the Covenant was to be carried by His people. It had been so long they didn't think, they didn't remember and, in their excitement it would appear, they didn't ask.
In our excitement to do something for God and with God we have to remember God has a plan. He has a way that will work best. He knows the best way. We have to develop a lifestyle of asking the Him how to move forward with what He has given us. We can't think that handling God the way non-believers address God is appropriate. We should know our God and we should know how He wants things to be done.
Father, thank You for being so clear about what You want me to do. Thank You for setting up a protocol that will bring You glory, honor and praise. I will honor You. I will revere Your Name and follow Your ways. I will listen for Your instructions. I will seek You and learn the best way to do what You have called me to do. I will not seek so little of You to think that You need my help. You want me to be a part of what You are doing, but You can take care of Yourself. I will worship You. I will seek You. I will listen and do as You instruct. You are my God and I will honor You in Jesus' name amen.
A Warrior in the Lord’s Army,
Veridee Joy Hand
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