In an age of grace, some Old Testament stories jar me. While I can’t wrap my mind around some of them, I recognize their warning. Today, God may not strike us dead when we sin, but sin is no less serious. And how we—especially God’s people— treat God matters. 1 Chronicles 13 delivers one such jarring lesson.
King David, a man after God’s heart, wanted to bring the ark of God back to Israel. A great goal. The Philistines had taken the ark in battle. And though they no longer had it, the ark had never returned to Jerusalem.
“Then David consulted with the captains of the thousands and the hundreds, even with every leader. David said to all the assembly of Israel, ‘If it seems good to you, and if it is from the Lord our God, … let us bring back the ark of our God to us, for we did not seek it in the days of Saul.’ Then all the assembly said that they would do so, for the thing was right in the eyes of all the people” (1 Chron. 13:1-4 NASB).
All the leaders and people agreed. Can you imagine that kind of unity today? David even referenced the Lord in his thinking. However, he failed to seek God directly or to read what the Scriptures said about transporting the ark.
The people no doubt assumed their religious leaders must be heeding God’s instructions. They gathered in jubilant celebration. When the oxen pulling the cart that carried the ark stumbled, Uzza reached out to steady the ark.
“The anger of the Lord burned against Uzza, so He struck him down because he put out his hand to the ark; and he died there before God (I Chron. 13:10 NASB).
Good Intentions, Wrong Execution
That moment stops me. How often have I polled people when making a decision instead of seeking God directly? “I’m thinking of this—what do you think?” I see this a lot.
- A youth worker says, “My brother’s youth ministry exploded after they hosted a comedian. Should we try that?”
- Parents say, “The Jackson’s sent their child to this camp, and she returned more confident. Let’s send Melissa this summer.”
- Business leaders say, “This consultant turned ABC Accounting around. What do you think of hiring him?”
Seeking good counsel is wise. Proverbs 11:14 (NASB) says “In abundance of counselors there is victory.” But even a good idea will go bad if it’s not carried out God’s way or in His timing. For example, we know sex is God’s idea. But it is only good between one man and one woman who are married to each other—no matter how many in our culture say otherwise.
This passage holds an important warning for us. In the Old Testament, God’s holiness broke out against those who didn’t treat Him as holy—by His definition, not theirs. While Jesus gives us direct access to a holy God, we must still treat Him and His Word with reverence.
God had taught Israel how to handle the ark: only Levites could carry it. David and all of Israel’s leaders neglected to read Moses’ recorded instructions. They’d failed to ask God how to return the ark.
David learned from his mistake and called the Levites together.
“‘Because you did not carry it at the first, the Lord our God made an outburst on us, for we did not seek Him according to the ordinance.’ … Then the Levites carried the ark of God on their shoulders with the poles thereon, as Moses had commanded according to the word of the Lord” (I Chron. 15:13-15 NASB).
God’s will and ways protect us from unnecessary loss and suffering. A nation’s opinion—no matter how united—means nothing if God says otherwise. Instead of pushing ahead with a good idea, let’s pause and ask our Lord, “Am I pursuing the right goal? And if so, am I pursuing it the right way? If the Scripture says no, we must stop—even if we stand alone.
Good intentions aren’t enough. David learned the hard way that God’s will must be done God’s way. #BibleLesson #1Chronicles13 #Faith Share on XBlessings,
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#MondayLinkUp #InstaEncouragements, #Let’sHaveCoffee, #Grace&Truth
Debbie that story has always stopped me in my tracks too! Such an important reminder that it is not just whether we do something but if it is what God wants in the way He wants it done!!
Ann, it is a jarring story and reminder of our need to look to God even in what seems a good idea. Thankful for grace!
Seeking the Lord versus seeking consensus is definitely the difference from walking the narrow path versus the wide path.
Yes. I find this sobering that no one knew better or at least spoke up!
I heard someone lament that we want God’s truth and God’s life, but we don’t want to get them in God’s WAY.
Michele, I’m afraid that is too true.
This story has always jarred me, too. Another one is the man in Numbers who was punished for picking up sticks on the Sabbath. One thing that helps my perspective is realizing His grace in not doling out this kind of judgment as often as He could have. He gave us His Word and expects us to read and obey it. As Ezra said, God has “punished us less than our iniquities deserved.”
Well said, Barbara. Our grasp of holiness and sin is very shallow.
That story always gets me when I read it. But how easy it is to forget the lesson when we want to get something done. ” “But even a good idea will go bad if it’s not carried out God’s way or in His timing.” May we seek God and then wait until He reveals His plan and His time.
Amen. I can be impatient. So this is a warning for me.
I think it was Elisabeth Elliot who said “the good is the eternal enemy of the best”. It’s easy to settle for good that may not be good for us personally.
Good way of summing it up. Thanks, Marilyn.
I think our own desires and the advice of others often get us in trouble if God is not the major advisor in our decision making process. I’m guilty of rushing into a decision and regreting it later when I realized I bypassed God. I’m grateful He didn’t zap me! Thank you for this wise and thought provoking message, Debbie.
I’m thankful we live in NT times!
The story is a difficult one to hear because I can think of such times in my own life. I’m so thankful God did not do the same to me. Thanks for sharing Debbie.
Yvonne, I agree. I think that’s why it shakes us. It also reminds me how little I understand about God’s holiness and grace. The more I grasp His holiness the more I appreciate His grace.