1st Chronicles 13 DOING THE RIGHT THING IN THE WRONG WAY In order to unify the people of Israel, the writer of the Chronicles directs their attention to the king who unified the twelve tribes under his leadership and then wanted to build the temple as a physical object for spiritual unity. David was able to unify them politically and socially under his leadership, but he knew true lasting unity includes spiritual unity under God. The "body politic" is only one part of national identity. "The soul of the people" is another. But like in marriage, unless there is spiritual unity as well, the nation will be constantly unstable. The events of chapter 13 actually took place after some events recorded later in the book, because it suits the objective of the narrative to bring the need of spiritual unity to the forefront of the minds of the people.
To neglect biblical worship in a gathering of the Lord's people is to miss the point of an assembly in the first place. An assembly is the "house of God." In reaching out with the Gospel to new places there needs to be consultation with others so that we move forward in faith. Assembly life is not like a corporation or government where "the will of the people" rules, and action is taken on that basis. We are governed by a benevolent Father when we gather to His Son under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. He has arranged "under shepherds" who make decisions, upon which an assembly takes action. It is a wise group of elders who know what the saints believe about a matter, that takes the opinions of others seriously and considers their thought in their decision.
David made consultation with each of his "officers, captain and commanders," but he neglected to consult with God. We do not have to go to a temple or some special place to communicate with God. "He is near unto all that call upon Him out of a pure heart." David did not do that but acted on his own desire. The desire to serve God and see God honored among His people and respected by the unsaved is a good thing, but desire without divine order is wrong. How I feel about a thing and my enthusiasm is good on one hand, but dangerous on the other if I take action based on my desire to do the right thing in my own way. Unchecked enthusiasm does not only affect me but also others. In the case of David's desire to have the ark of God brought to "the city of David," his enthusiasm for the project brought the people of God together from the southern border to the northern border.
Great fanfare and a charismatic leader "seemed to be right in the eyes of all the people." This is one of the challenges of spiritual leadership. We have to look beyond that which is popular in other places, and what pleases superficial believers, to what exactly is the will of God in this matter. It is important to know the word of God well enough to show a "thus saith the Lord" statement to the Lord's people: not to quench their enthusiasm but to guide it in a spiritual and scriptural way. Before taking an action, take divine counsel. and then in fellowship with the Lord, confidently lead them forward giving the sanctifying effect to their enthusiasm.
Cooperation and unity are closely bound together. They are almost one and the same. The one relates to an action and the other to an attitude that motivates the action. When we are conscious of the presence and pleasure of God, our hearts are moved to support that which is of God by our actions and our presence. It may be that the weakness and obscurity of an assembly and its testimony motivates us to take some action to bring about recovery, and restore public testimony - that is a good desire. The ark of God was known as "The Name" in reference to the fact it was there the name of God was called upon. Scripturally gathered assemblies are "The place of the name." Holy things demand holy people.
During the reign of Saul the ark of God was rejected and was in the house of Abinadab since the Philistines had sent it on a driverless cart back to Israel. Uzzah and Ahio were used to having the ark there, so perhaps had gotten used to the neglect, and forgot the holiness associated with the things of God. It is possible, both for us and our children to become so used to being in "the house of God" that we forget that "Holiness becometh Thy house, O Lord, forever." Spiritual desire and enthusiasm can motivate us to act without hearing the voice of God. God's silences are as important as His instructions. Enthusiasm without spiritual direction and divine control leads to carelessness. Carelessness can lead us to act without praying, reading the Bible and serious thinking in order to get God's mind about a matter.
Whoever decided on using a new cart was simply copying the Philistines. True, they made a new cart, so it looked good, wasn't tainted with dirt, had never been contaminated by anything, but it still was only a cart - not the human shoulders of consecrated priests and Levites. Doing a right thing in a wrong way makes the consequences worse and worse if it is continued. Man's opinion should never replace God's order no matter what the majority of people may think. The world's way of "doing church" is just that - the world's way. God's way is clearly stated in the scriptures and has not changed. "Gather My saints together unto Me, those that have made a covenant with Me by sacrifice," remains the same truth. We gather to Him and meet under the authority in His name. Other names, practices or organizations are based on men's opinion.
We have been given the privilege of being stewards of our Lord. With that privilege comes the responsibility of acting only under His authority. To make a profession that we are committed to Him to do His will, must be consistent with what His word says. If the profession and the reality are different, we are on our own and that is not a good place to be. Much of what is being done by professing Christians today is to promote good-will so unbelievers will be attracted by our lifestyle and join us in a desire to "change the world." God's will does not mean people will like us. In fact, the Lord Jesus said the world will hate us because it hated Him. Paul wrote, "All that live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." But in spite of that, we still seem to want to continue to be liked. It is up to us to be "zealous of good works," in view of the time when people will "glorify God in the day of visitation."
David was responsible for the whole event and for some reason had become careless about how to do God's work. Leadership calls for consecration of the person who leads, and dedication to the work to do it as "unto the Lord and not unto men." Uzzah likely had become used to the ark being in his father's house so the reverence that would have been there when the ark was first placed in the living room gradually decreased. The grace bestowed on that house was taken for granted. Children of Christians often seem to get an irreverent attitude toward the things of God, and the life of an assembly bores them. There may be sense in which "familiarity breeds contempt." The consistent appreciation of God's grace and blessings on the part of believing parents needs to be expressed audibly and visibly. It is important that we do not express a bad attitude toward fellow believers, leaders and the assembly itself.
There is nothing wrong with zeal as long as it is sanctified and controlled. Man's enthusiasm and God's holiness have to be consistently in fellowship. Apparently God was willing to put up with the first movement of the ark on the cart, but whether it was the loud noise that made the ox stumble or a rock in the road that would have been avoided by a human foot, the sudden movement of the ark made Uzzah react just as if it was a crate of chickens he thought might tip over. God's eye saw Uzzah's heart and when he put his careless hand on that ark and instantly died, the whole jubilant celebrations of man's making was stopped.
We learn that what is convenient to us but unscriptural as far as God is concerned can be quickly changed from joy to fear. And the consequences are far reaching. Instinct is not our guide. Instinct may be irreverent. It may make us act in haste and do what is wrong. Reverence for God and all that is holy will guide us to act responsibly in a way that is suitable to our holy calling. David reacted quickly and angrily perhaps because he thought God was being extreme, but it is more likely he was angry against himself for taking God for granted in such an important event. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom," and he quickly learned not to leave God out of a matter. It may be, we forget that when we do not do God's work in His way, it is sin. Discipline will follow until we leave self-will behind and act in faith and the fear of the Lord.
God's presence demands holiness on our part. We need to get used to practicing the presence of God in every aspect of our lives. It would take courage on the part of Obed-Edom to have the ark of God in his house for three months. The house of Obed-Edom was likely near the road, and everyone who passed along that road would be conscious of what happened at that threshing-floor, and would likely look at that house and wonder what would happen to that family. They probably didn't have many visitors for quite some time until they realized instead of judgment, God was blessing that household and even their property in a special way. When God's face smiles on our place, we rejoice in the riches of His grace. The changes that happened at that home were wonderful, but no one would take the ark of God sitting in that room for granted. There would be a very real sense of the power of God's presence being there. When we have room for our Lord in our homes and the assembly of which we are a part, there is a special wonder at the grace of God and the blessings He gives, "And He addeth no sorrow with it." 1st Chronicles 13:1, 3. “And David consulted with the captains of thousands and hundreds, and with every leader. “And let us bring again the ark of our God to us: for we inquired not at it in the days of Saul.” WHAT ABOUT THE BIBLE? They came together from every part and made a great congregation. Something right had been left undone, it was time to fix the situation. All the leaders from each different place had opportunity for something to say. Finally, all agreed to bringing the ark back to the city in a certain way – But what about the Bible?
It seemed so special with all of the pageantry and glory – Every one would be able to go home and tell the others their story Of the loud music and dancing, everything seemed so bright – There was room for all the people to participate – surely this was right –
But what about the Bible?
But everyone went home with heads and hearts cast down. They were all subdued when each went to their hometown. It didn’t work right though they had all agreed This was the right way they thought, but they neglected to read – And find out what about the Bible?
Loud music is here now and some dance “before the Lord.” Large numbers attend thinking they are worshipping God. Not a lot of people go to their church carrying with them their Bible. They like the experience and will go if they are able - But what about the Bible?
God has given us His plan as to how He wants things done. The Church is His dwelling place, where we live is His home. In the house of God there is an order to maintain – Behavior in the house and the practices are not decided by men – It is right to ask, “What about the Bible?”
It is not up to us to decide to do a thing or not. We need to read the scriptures and see what was taught When we can see what God wants, then we act upon His will. What was there at the first is in the Bible still – So, we set out to do things according to the Bible!
“O God, preserve us from “new cart” activities or the “majority rules” mindset. Keep us fixed upon Thy truth and committed to acting only on what the Bible says. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”