Uzzah put out his hand to take hold of the ark, for the oxen stumbled. 10 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. (I Chronicles 13: 9,10 ESV)
Whew
Admittedly, this is a hard story to hear. Mostly, because we do not appreciate God’s perspective. Uzzah, in the celebratory parade in which the Ark of the Covenant was finally being returned to Jerusalem, made a mistake. He reached out to make sure the Holy Ark did not fall over to the ground.
But God had given specific instructions for the parade. No human hand was to touch the Ark. Uzzah was trying to keep the Ark unsullied. Uzzah was trying to be holy, by protecting the Ark’s holiness. Uzzah had great intentions. But in doing all of those things, Uzzah disobeyed God.
And God severely punished Uzzah.
I do not understand the details of this tragic story. But I can understand it as an example of God’s attitude about our sin. Good intentions do not avoid God’s wrath. Reacting in an emergency with unrighteous actions are not still being obedient somehow. Making decisions based solely on our logic, our understanding, or our wisdom do not lead to God-pleasing obedience.
I can almost hear you mutter, and in fact, I am muttering myself. “What was Uzzah supposed to do, let the Ark touch the ground and be defiled?”
I wonder, and perhaps you do, too, if God could have just this once, seeing Uzzah’s enthusiasm for the Ark’s return, expressed His anger, and let the matter lie.
But then I look at the other side of this story. Perhaps God already had a plan in place to preserve the Ark’s holiness. Perhaps God was more aware and in control than Uzzah, or I, might have thought. Perhaps God simply meant what He said: “Do not touch the Ark. At all. Under any circumstances.”
God always means what He says. Jesus instructs us not to worry, Jesus does not say, “Do not worry, unless things are really bad.” God requires us to always honor His name. The third commandment does not read, “Keep God’s name holy, unless you are really scared, or hurt, or angry.” Jesus told His disciples to forgive always, even 70 times 7 times. He did not tell them, “Forgive, unless it is really hard.”
God’s perspective is different than ours often is. We put ‘unless’ clauses in our obedience efforts.
Perhaps that sounds frightening to you. God’s requirements are so strict. God’s expectations are so high. And we can not be THAT obedient.
As guilty as we are… as often as we reach out our hand and grab the Ark… or as often as we reach out our hand and disobey for what seem rational and fair reasons… God has given us a solution.
He is not going to strike you dead for your sins. He struck Jesus dead for your sins. God is not going to express His holy wrath against you for your disobedient good intentions. God expressed His holy wrath against Jesus for your disobedient good intentions. God is not going to be unjust by ignoring your sins. God treats them as rebellious as they are. But then He punishes Jesus for them, instead of you.
We can not endure God’s wrath… but Jesus already did, for you.