Don't Get Distracted!

Then David again gathered all the elite troops in Israel, 30,000 in all. He led them to Baalah of Judah to bring back the Ark of God, which bears the name of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, who is enthroned between the cherubim. They placed the Ark of God on a new cart and brought it from Abinadab’s house, which was on a hill. Uzzah and Ahio, Abinadab’s sons, were guiding the cart that carried the Ark of God. Ahio walked in front of the Ark. David and all the people of Israel were celebrating before the LORD, singing songs and playing all kinds of musical instruments—lyres, harps, tambourines, castanets, and cymbals. But when they arrived at the threshing floor of Nacon, the oxen stumbled, and Uzzah reached out his hand and steadied the Ark of God. Then the LORD’s anger was aroused against Uzzah, and God struck him dead because of this. So Uzzah died right there beside the Ark of God. [2 Samuel 6.1-7]

Why I only just today saw this is beyond me. Uzzah was one of the Abinadab's sons - Abinadab whose house was where the Ark of God was being kept. Uzzah and his brother Ahio would have known quite well that the Ark required special care. Ahio led the oxen who pulled the cart and Uzzah walked alongside the cart. Their one job was to get the cart to Jerusalem according to the rules associated with transporting the Ark.

We can only make a conjecture as to what might have taken place at Abinadab's house when notified by David that the Ark would be taken from there to Jerusalem. In light of David's recent coronation as King of all Israel, much to the pleasure of all Israel, it would be safe to say the house of Abinadab became quite the focus of many. Whatever state of existence had been at Abinadab's house prior to this time suddenly changed as the celebration of moving the Ark to Jerusalem ensued. In other words, "the party started" at Abinadab's house.

The Word says David and all the people of Israel were celebrating before the LORD, singing songs and playing all kinds of musical instruments—lyres, harps, tambourines, castanets, and cymbals. One can imagine this celebration, although about the Ark, could have become quite distracting as to the proper handling of the Ark. And, that is exactly what happened.

The first evidence of distraction was that the Ark was loaded to be moved on a cart. This was never supposed to have happened. The Ark was only to be carried by its carrying poles on the shoulders of priests. Perhaps it was reasoned at that time, with all the commotion going on, that that was the best solution... There were a lot of people and there was a lot of noise.

Next, Ahio was tasked with guiding the oxen who pulled the cart. If the oxen stumbled, then Ahio likely failed to lead them on the best path - the best ground. Perhaps, in all the celebration, he too become distracted.

Then, in succession to the distractions already in play at this point, Uzzah, quite literally, caught the fallout. The Ark was about to fall from the cart it should never have been placed on, because the one guiding the oxen did not recognize unstable ground, and Uzzah died for it. It wasn't all Uzzah's fault. However, he wasn't entirely a victim of circumstances either because he had the familiarity of having the Ark in his father's house for the past twenty years.

Having served as a worship leader in past years of my life, it seems prudent to note here that worship should never distract us from the One we worship! To make this statement is to acknowledge the real possibility that this can happen! No amount of celebration before God makes it okay to disregard His commandments. David could attest to that! The responsibility of remaining focused on God's holiness rests upon all of us - whether we plan the party, facilitate the party, or just attend the party.

Is it any wonder then that Jesus taught us to pray first and foremost, May Your name be kept holy (Hallowed be Thy name)?

Uzzah died because God's name was not kept holy in obeying His instructions for how to transport the Ark. How might death and destruction be running rampant in and upon the Church today for not keeping God's name holy? I know, I know, 'Jesus paid it all...' but haven't we departed from holiness in our consideration of Jesus? Have we not failed to understand the holiness of Jesus' blood and death on our behalf by not doing what Jesus commanded (going and making disciples)? Have we become so enthralled with "the party" of our salvation that we've forgotten our one job in that salvation?

Father, forgive me for being distracted. Help me to return to Your Word on every turn. Help me be true to Jesus and His commandments. Help me understand that my one job is to be like Jesus.