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January 21 | 1 Chronicles 13 | ISG
Honoring God to Start the Year Right

1 Chronicles 13 (ESV)

1 David consulted with the commanders of thousands and of hundreds, with every leader. 2 And David said to all the assembly of Israel, “If it seems good to you and from the LORD our God, let us send abroad to our brothers who remain in all the lands of Israel, as well as to the priests and Levites in the cities that have pasturelands, that they may be gathered to us. 3 Then let us bring again the ark of our God to us, for we did not seek it in the days of Saul.” 4 All the assembly agreed to do so, for the thing was right in the eyes of all the people.5 So David assembled all Israel from the Nile of Egypt to Lebo-hamath, to bring the ark of God from Kiriath-jearim. 6 And David and all Israel went up to Baalah, that is, to Kiriath-jearim that belongs to Judah, to bring up from there the ark of God, which is called by the name of the LORD who sits enthroned above the cherubim. 7 And they carried the ark of God on a new cart, from the house of Abinadab, and Uzzah and Ahio were driving the cart. 8 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. 9 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. 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. 11 And David was angry because the LORD had broken out against Uzzah. And that place is called Perez-uzza to this day. 12 And David was afraid of God that day, and he said, “How can I bring the ark of God home to me?” 13 So David did not take the ark home into the city of David, but took it aside to the house of Obed-edom the Gittite. 14 And the ark of God remained with the household of Obed-edom in his house three months. And the LORD blessed the household of Obed-edom and all that he had.

Overview
The narrative from 1 Chronicles 13:5 on closely parallels 2 Samuel 6:1–11, but 1 Chronicles 13:1–4 provides a context of David’s plans being consultative, involving “all Israel” in the decision. The ark was brought from Kiriath-jearim with much celebration, but on the way one of the cart drivers put out his hand to hold the ark and died (vv. 5–10). As a result, fear of going any farther grew, and the ark was left in the house of Obed-edom. The passage ends, however, on a positive note with the blessing of “the household of Obed-edom” (vv. 11–14).
Although this initial attempt to move the ark of the covenant ends negatively (cf. vv.9–12), the Chronicler nonetheless maintains his emphasis on the unity of all Israel under David’s leadership and closes this episode on a note of hope (v.14). Moreover, David’s immediate attention to bringing the ark of the covenant to a position of physical and spiritual centrality for the community implies that David’s reign will be marked by seeking God and by concern for the covenant (recall that the text of the covenant [the law of Moses] was housed within the ark; cf. Dt 10:1–5). These characteristics of spiritual faithfulness place David in sharp contrast to Saul (cf. 1Ch 10:13–14).

Reflection
The sad story of Uzzah’s fatal attempt to steady the ark of God is a painful lesson underscoring the necessity of doing what is right in God’s eyes, not our own eyes. The tendency to do what seems good in our eyes is at the heart of human rebellion against the authority of God (cf. Gen 3:6). In anticipation of a settled covenantal community, the Israelites were instructed not to worship God “in their way” or “everyone as he sees fit” (cf. Dt 12:4, 8). Unfortunately, the early history of Israel demonstrated the power of this human tendency (cf. Jdg 17:6; 21:25).
Similarly, today too often the standard of determining what is “good” is approached from the vantage point of our own personal opinion (what is right in our eyes) rather than through the lens of biblical principles. Our cultural and social tendencies prompt us to affirm, approve, and praise the actions of others based on whether they mean well regardless of biblical accuracy, as though zeal without knowledge were a commendable trait. Yet, as this incident with Uzzah shows, what is right in our eyes is irrelevant and frequently disastrous (Dt 4:24; Heb 12:29). Indeed, we should not lose sight of the reality that the human heart is self-deceiving and mired in the noetic (cognitive) effects of the fall (Jer 17:9). Such theological awareness prompts believers to seek God’s Word and grace in order to be transformed and alert to what is pleasing and acceptable in God’s eyes (cf. Ro 12:1–2).

Financial Report for the month of November.

Giving: $ 8,980.00
Expenses: $ 8,187.50
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Surplus: $ 792.50

References:

Excerpt From
1 and 2 Chronicles
Frederick Mabie

Excerpt From
ESV® Expository Commentary--1 Samuel-2 Chronicles
Crossway

Discussion Questions
1. Read 13:1-4, pay special attention to the phrase, “for the thing was right in the eyes of all the people.” Recall an incident in the book of Judges how this same phrase was used and comment on it. (Judges 21:25)
2. Reflection. Based on Genesis 3:1-7, how is the phrase, “for the thing was right in the eyes of all the people.” play in the deception of Adam and Eve?
3. Read 1 Chronicles 13:7 and compare it to Exodus 25:10-16 & Numbers 7:9. What protocols were broken? Do protocols really matter? Why?
4. 1 Chronicles 13:9-10, was God too harsh on Uzzah? Does good intention eliminate wrong actions? What’s at stake?
5. Reflect on a similar incident, Leviticus 10:1-11. What principles can you draw out from this story? How is God’s holiness and glory central in our worship?




Prayer

Heavenly Father we come to you trembling knowing that you are holy, your name will not be trampled with, your presence is holy ground. Forgive us for taking you for granted, for looking at you with contempt, for approaching you with much familiarity. Open our eyes so we can see how great, how awesome, how terrifying your presence is. Allow us a glimpse of your glory. We bend our knees in adoration and fear, you are God and we are your creations. Thank you for bringing us one more step closer to you, closer to your holy presence. Amen.