Let the Celebration Begin

Introduction

A. I love my father and so what I am getting ready to say should not be misunderstood. My dad had firm beliefs about how things were supposed to be done. There were basically two ways to do things — his way or the wrong way. One didn’t take liberties with his way. Whatever you were told to do, you did or you faced the consequences. Dad still believes that there is no room for not working. He used to find jobs for us to do so that we wouldn’t complain about being bored. We had the cleanest garbage cans in the neighborhood because Dad wanted us to wash them from time to time. It did no good to complain. Dad would just add to the chore list. So you did what you had to do and then you could move on to play time.

B. But I learned some things from my Father — you don’t take shortcuts; you do your best the first time so that you don’t have to repeat the task; you listen and do what you are told to do. Valuable lessons. If taken to an extreme, they can be destructive. But if not done at all, the work is shoddy. Such lessons are valuable. Maybe you had similar experiences. Perhaps you work for someone who is very demanding. Maybe you are married to one who has high expectations. Maybe your parents are that way. Have you ever thought about God having high expectations? Have you thought that God doesn’t want us to take shortcuts and wants us to do our best and that we are to listen to him and do what he says to do? In some ways, my father demonstrated to me what God is like. And I am thankful that he did.

C. Tonight we will look at 2 Samuel 6. This is the story of David bringing the ark to Jerusalem. David is trying to rally the people around the ark of the covenant so that relationship with God can be restored. In the process David learns something about the nature and intent of God. We need to learn the same lessons.

The Ark’s Return

A. Since the battle with the Philistines, the ark has been at Abinadab’s house. Recall that the ark was taken from Israel during Saul’s reign when he brought it into battle as a good luck charm. Israel was defeated and the ark was taken from them. For a time it existed in the different cities of Philistia, but after destruction came upon each city, it was shipped back to Israel and that is how it came into Abinadab’s possession. Since Israel was in political and spiritual disarray, no one really was interested in restoring tabernacle worship in the land. So David now in Jerusalem wants to bring the ark to Jerusalem so that a centralized place for worship can exist. We are not told if David inquires of God. He just is going to do it.

B. The ark is loaded on a cart and the journey begins. There is a great celebration leading the procession. David leads this procession. There are all kinds of instruments being played. There is great rejoicing as the ark moves toward Jerusalem. Somewhere along the way the oxen stumble and the cart on which the ark was placed begins to pitch as if it might actually turn over. No one wants the ark to fall off of the cart. So Uzzah reaches out his hand to steady the ark. And when he does, God strikes him dead. What began as a task to honor God and to rally the people ends in disaster. Not only is Uzzah killed, but David becomes angry with God.

C. What is going on? Back in Exodus 25 and Numbers 3, God had given specific instructions concerning the ark. It was to be carried. In fact, God said the poles which were to carry the ark were never to be taken out of the rings which held them. The ark was to be carried by Levites. Did David do these things? No. Was God pleased? Obviously not. What is going on. David handles that which is holy in a casual way. The ark is the seat of God. It was the article which demonstrated the presence of God. For all of his celebration and dedication, David handles the ark as if it is some simple piece of furniture. David has trivialized what was holy.

D. How else do you explain David’s anger? David assumed that if your heart was right that doing God’s will was optional. David assumed his proper motivation would be enough to ease the wrath of God. He didn’t have to obey God if his heart was right. But God demonstrates that both motivation and right action are needed. David knew the Lord. He knew God’s law; but he chose to do what he wanted to do; he decided to serve God on his own terms. When held accountable, he becomes angry and disbelieving. Instead of assuming that God is holy and just, David presumes that God acted wrongly. David trivializes the ark and thus God through his anger. David doesn’t give the ark nor God the proper respect.

E. We can trivialize God as well. We can have a good heart. We can have the right motivation. But then to willfully ignore, God’s command is to cheapen God’s holiness. God wants both obedience and a good heart. Can one have the proper motivation and ignore God’s command to be baptized? Can one obey God in meeting with his people and at the same time have no motivation for the assembly? Can we honor God with our words and at the same time presume upon his holiness and do what we wish? God is holy. God deserves our complete allegiance — heart and actions.

Final Journey

A. Then David moves from anger into self-pity. He becomes fearful. “How can the ark ever come to me?” Then David moves into a “do nothing” stage. He didn’t know what to do. When zeal comes from our own emotions and then something happens to deflate our zeal, we turn to doubt. According to 1 Chronicles 15, the second attempt David makes to bring the ark to Jerusalem, David follows God’s law (v. 2, 13). David repents of his sin and tries again. 6:13, after only six steps, David stops and sacrifices a bull. Thankfulness for a good beginning. Then David lays aside is finery for a simple linen ephod. Possible that this was just a loin cloth.

B. The ark comes into Jerusalem with a real celebration. God’s holiness has been upheld. Now the real celebration can begin. Was the first celebration before Uzzah’s death real? Sure. But it was based only on the motivation and heart of David. It didn’t take into account the will of God. With the will of God and the heart of David together, the celebration honors both God and the desire of David. Michal, Saul’s daughter and David’s wife, doesn’t appreciate David’s enthusiasm and doesn’t fail to express herself. Such a statement rejects what God is doing in David’s life.

C. Reminders of our two lessons. First, to approach God casually minimizes his holiness. David approached the ark casually. He wanted to do what was right, but he didn’t follow God’s instructions. A good heart with right motives, but not following God’s commands means that God’s holiness is minimized. We lose sight of God when we follow only our heart.

D. Second, entering into God’s presence demands that not only action but heart be involved. Sometimes we go through the motions without finding meaning in them. Sometimes we give our heart to God but then do what we want to do. God wants and deserves both. Prayer.

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