Impulsive Actions

1 Chronicles 13:7

“They moved the ark of God from Abinadab’s house on a new cart, with Uzzah and Ahio guiding it.”

In the oil and gas business, we use many different tools to find new deposits of oil and gas. One of those is seismic. We use large trucks or dynamite to create shock waves in the earth. We record these waves, and out comes a three-dimensional cube of seismic that resembles the subsurface strata. It is a great tool, and we use it all the time. If you were to go stand on the ground, you could never touch the subsurface strata with your hands. Seismic is one of the only ways to see the subsurface without touching it or seeing it with your eyes.

In 1 Chronicles 13, we have one of the most unusual stories in the Bible. A priest, Uzzah, and another priest, Ahio, are tasked with guiding a new cart pulled by oxen, carrying the ark of God from Kiriath Jearim. This place is significant because it was where the ark of God stayed for 20 or more years after the Philistines put it on a cart pulled by oxen and it stopped at Kiriath Jearim. David was simply going to bring it back to Jerusalem. In verse 2, it says, “If it seems good to you and if it is the will of the Lord our God, let us… bring back the ark of our God…” All seems good until the ark comes to a threshing floor at Kidon and the ox stumbles. Uzzah reaches out to steady the ark, and the Lord strikes him dead on the spot. The ark of the Lord then stayed with the house of Obed-Edom for the next three months.

First off, the ark of the Lord was supposed to be carried only by priests with poles, not pulled on a cart (Exodus 25:12–15). By keeping it on a cart pulled by oxen, it was a violation of God’s law. David should have known this, and most of all, the priests should have known this. Historically speaking, the ark of God was not really a concern for Saul during his kingship. He mostly depended upon Samuel the prophet, and when Samuel died, Saul was left without a prophet and without leadership from the Lord. That is why the ark of God was not in Jerusalem—God was not in first place in Saul’s life as king. David, on the other hand, was a man after God’s own heart. He was going to bring the ark of God to Jerusalem first thing. You can imagine the fear, anger, and hopelessness when Uzzah died on the threshing floor.

Sometimes in life, we push forward on things because we think it is a great idea without thinking first. We just react by impulse and go with it. The Bible tells us that there is wisdom in a multitude of counselors (Proverbs 15:22). David was guilty of this impulsive behavior. All the great intentions and happiness were superseded by impulse and poor planning. Uzzah and Ahio were supposed to know and obey the law, but neither of them did, and Uzzah paid the price.

I know what you are thinking, that seems kind of harsh. I read it and thought the same thing. When I read how serious the Lord is about following the law in the Old Testament, I am perplexed that anyone in the Old Testament didn’t die as well. That is why Jesus came and was the perfect sacrifice for the forgiveness of our sins. No one could have ever been blameless with all the laws God set up. It was all a plan to reveal Jesus, the author and perfecter, the finisher of our faith.

If you are struggling and wondering how you could ever be good enough for God, you can’t. That is why Jesus came and paid your sin debt. Through His blood on the cross, you are made white as snow in God’s eyes because He sees you through His Son’s blood. I can go to the very place I plan on drilling an oil well, but I can never see the trap I hope is there. That is why we have seismic—to show us where to drill. Jesus Christ is the seismic of your life. You may not be able to see yourself free from all the trash of life, but Jesus Christ does. Why don’t you try Him and stop doing things on your own power?

Prayer: Father, I know we mess up all the time. David messed up. Uzzah messed up. The Old Testament is full of people who messed up in big ways, yet You still never left them. You sent Jesus to cover and remove all of our sin so we could be with You in heaven. I pray that we use the Word of God and godly counsel before we move on and make all of our decisions. In Jesus’ name, amen.