1Samuel 6:8-12: Realizing the Holiness of God

 

Attention

1. The story of Uzzah is familiar to most of us, but perhaps less familiar is the story of David’s reaction to it.

2. David was already a servant of Jehovah, but he still had much to learn about the holiness of God. 2Sa. 6:1-12

3. David learned that we must acknowledge the holiness of God by listening to and obeying His will.

 

I.       David Was Angry With God (8)

A.            Why Did God Strike Uzzah?

1.    The LORD had given specific instructions for transporting the ark of the covenant.

a)         The box was to be carried with poles on the shoulders of the priests. (Nu. 7:9; 1Chr 15:15)

b)        The ark was to be covered and was not to be touched. (Nu. 4:5-6, 15)

2.    Uzzah’s action does not appear malicious or consciously rebellious.

a)         The footing was rough, and Uzzah reached up to steady the ark so that it would not fall.

b)        But Uzzah’s well-intentioned act directly contradicted the explicit command of God.

3.    David’s initial response was anger, presumably against God because of His punishment. 6:8

a)         David was trying to honor Jehovah; the people were worshipping as they went. 6:5

b)        God’s outburst against Uzzah seemed extremely quick and harsh under such conditions.

B.            What Should We Learn?

1.    Sinful circumstances do not justify sinful behavior.

a)         The ark shouldn’t have been on the cart; Uzzah shouldn’t have needed to steady it.

b)        But the sinful transportation of the ark did not justify disregarding the other rules for it.

c)         Just because others do not do right does not excuse me from my obligation to be obedient.

d)        What should Uzzah have done? He should not have touched the ark. Law or Situation Ethics?

2.    Sincerity is no substitute for obedience.

a)         David was sincere in what he was trying to do, but he did not follow God’s instructions.

b)        It seems that the people simply did not consult the Law to ascertain how to move the ark.

c)         Sincerity is essential, but sincerity alone does not honor God, we must obey Him.

 

II.    David Was Afraid of God (9-10)

A.            Why Did David Become Afraid?

1.    David’s anger quickly gives way to fear; his eyes are opening to the holy God he serves. 6:9

a)         It seemed enough to want to honor God; the details of the Law seemed unimportant.

b)        Now David doubts his ability to serve such a God; he won’t move the ark any further. 6:10

2.    Confronting the absolute holiness of God will strike men with fear as they see their imperfection.

a)         Isaiah lamented his uncleanness and that of his environment when he saw the holy God.

b)        When Peter witnessed Christ’s power firsthand, he fell to his knees and asked Jesus to leave.

3.    The more we see God’s holiness, the more we will realize our own un-holiness and weakness.

a)         Joshua warned the Israelites that they could not serve Jehovah. Jos. 24:19-20

b)        God is holy; He demands more of us than we are often willing to give; He requires our all.

B.            What Should We Learn?

1.    God means what He says.

a)         When God said, “Don’t touch the ark,” He meant it; Jehovah keeps His word. Nu. 4:15

b)        Jehovah is not a man; He does not change; He is faithful to His word and expects us to be.

c)         We need to be impressed with the power and importance of God’s word.

d)        God’s word brought the world into existence; God’s word can save, or it can condemn.

2.    God does not owe us a second chance.

a)         You might think that God was harsh, narrow-minded, hard to please; He struck so quickly.

b)        But doesn’t the God of heaven and earth deserve the respect of simple obedience?

c)         Uzzah wasn’t given an opportunity to repent; God did not owe him the chance to do it over.

d)        Do you understand why David was afraid? Who can stand before such a God? We all sin!

III. David Was Attuned to God (11-12)

A.            What Did David Finally Realize?

1.    Why was David finally willing to move the ark? Because he discovered God is holy, but good.

a)         Jehovah is not impossible to please; He did not strike Uzzah because he hated His people.

b)        God was not trying to prevent them moving the ark; He was punishing the way they did it.

2.    David heard of God’s blessings on Obed-Edom’s household while the ark was there. 6:11-12

a)         Obed-Edom must have acted with more reverence than those in Beth Shemesh. 1Sa. 6:19-21

b)        Clearly, God could be satisfied, so David decided to try again, this time doing it God’s way.

3.    The Chronicles account of this second attempt is especially instructive. 1Chr. 15:11-15

a)         First, David was angry; why would God strike so severely those seeking to honor Him?

b)        Then David was afraid; who is this God that even punishes those who worship Him?

c)         Finally David was attuned to God; to be reverent we must obey God, not just praise Him.

B.            What Should We Learn?

1.    God wants us to succeed in serving Him.

a)         It is difficult to serve the LORD, but the challenge tasks our will, not our ability.

b)        We have the physical capacity to glorify God; in fact, we are created to do so. (Ecc. 12:13)

c)         But in order to please God we must submit our will to His, and that is hard for us to do.

d)        God wants to bless us; He loves us; even when He chastens us, it is for our benefit.

2.    We can approach God with confidence when we follow His will.

a)         What is the “secret” to pleasing God? It is doing what He says with a sincere heart.

b)        God is not flattered by gifts He does not want; we must honor His will because He is God!

c)         God’s judgment on sin is terrifying, even on those who seek to honor Him.

d)        But when we seek the will of God and do it, we can approach God with confidence.

 

Action

1. David’s eyes were opened to God’s holiness, and he finally understood the implications of it.

a. It isn’t enough to seek to honor God; it isn’t enough to worship Him; it isn’t enough to be sincere.

b. David was angry that God would punish their efforts, but then David realized how great a God we serve.

2. Until we are attuned to God by seeking, listening to, and obeying His will, we cannot please the LORD.

a. Modern religion has convinced us that strict doctrine is unimportant. Try telling that to Uzzah!

b. Jehovah is God. Don’t treat Him as though He should feel honored that we worship Him. Obey Him.

3. Have you obeyed the conditions of salvation as taught by Christ? Mk. 16:16; Ac. 2:38; 22:16

a. It isn’t enough to call Jesus ‘Lord.’ You must honor His Lordship by submitting to His authority.

b. God’s word matters. The Lord means what He says. Jn. 12:48; 2Th. 1:8

 

Back to Sermons                             Home