God has never tolerated man's disregard of, and disobedience to, His Word. To remind us of His holiness, and that no man dare take liberties with regard to things sacred, God has made examples of some offenders. Consider the case of Uzzah in 2Samuel 6:6-7.
The sacred Ark of the Covenant was being transported from Baaljudah to Jerusalem on a new ox-drawn cart. 30,000 men were assembled for the procession. Uzzah and Ahio were in charge of driving the oxen. The occasion was one of great festivity. However, the oxen stumbled and the cart began to tip. The hallowed Ark was in danger of toppling off the cart. Uzzah placed his hand on the Ark to stablize it, and God immediately struck him dead. The great celebration was brought to a standstill in shocked silence.
To all, Uzzah appeared to be a hero! He had saved the most precious and sacred item in the Israelite religion from certain damage, yet, God instantly struck him dead for his actions. Why? Because in touching the Ark, Uzzah violated a commandment God had given hundreds of years earlier (Numbers 4:15).
Our thought are that God should have made an exception in this case, but "God's thoughts are not our thoughts..." (Isaiah 55:8-9)
We are instructed that "All things written aforetime are written for our example and learning..." (Romans 15:4). From this example, God is wanting us to learn: (a) we must do what He says in the way He says to do them or He will not accept it; (b) "good intentions" hold no weight with God, there must be obedience to His will; (c) great crowds and much enthusiasm do not ensure God's approval; (d) just because commandments are hundreds of years old and man has forgotten about them does not mean that God has forgotten them; (e) those who appear to be heroes in the eyse of man are not necessarily heroes in the eyes of God. Uzzah stands as an eternal reminder that "obedience is better than sacrifice" (1Samuel 15:22).
--Toby Miller
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