Yahweh Breaks Out Against Uzzah

9:00 Introduction (10 min)

Preaching lab, heavy commitments, appreciate prayer for spiritual and family life.

Working through genres, historical narrative for these first two. Been wanting to preach this for a while.

Turn with me to 1 Chronicles 13, where David begins to move the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. He had noble desires of making worship central and leading the people to God. Tragedy strikes, though, God kills a man for touching the ark while trying to be helpful. This leaves David afraid and embarrassed, unsure of what to do. He abandons the project and returns home in disgrace, though God offers a glimmer of hope in quiet blessing. All of this is simply the first movement in a two part story. Lord-willing we’ll explore the other half in chapter 15 next week.

Kings: Jeremiah, prophetic, judgment for covenant breach, exile

Chronicles: Ezra, priestly, grace for post-exile repentance, worship

Important context in Chronicles:

Ch 1-9 are genealogies; Saul dies; David established with mighty men; ch 13 first act as established king, strategic

Judean book surprisingly kind to Northern tribes but firm on temple worship in Jerusalem - this is where David seeks to move the ark

Emphasis on kings and covenants secondary to worship of Yahweh in the temple - here Yahweh’s holiness is elevated at the expense of the king’s honor

Repeated emphasis on joy and generosity in worship (perhaps lacking post-exile) - David will lead the people here in great celebration

Also emphasis on retribution: do evil and get punished, go good and get rewarded; fills in missing details from Samuel-Kings to make retribution easier to follow, highlighting motivations for obedience - the show-stopping outburst of God’s anger raises questions.

Follows Samuel-Kings but fills in missing details to make retribution easier to follow; motivation to obedience

As I mentioned earlier, chapter 13 ends with a mixture of fear and blessing. Clearly something went wrong, but what? 2 Samuel places the blame on Uzza “for his irreverence.” This chapter does not really explain the problem, it just illustrates it. When we come back next week, though, Ezra or the Chronicler will take the time to connect the dots for us. Our text today may feel a little dissatisfying, but if it does then it is simply a realistic illustration.

Proverbs 16:9 LSB

9 The heart of man plans his way, But Yahweh directs his steps.

How many times do we make decisions that don’t work out? We are always left wondering why. Many times we will not find an answer, but sometimes we do. This account in 1 Chronicles 13 leaves us wondering: why did Uzza have to die? We are not given an answer in this chapter. But thinking about it made David angry first and then afraid.

This week and next we are going to look at some biblical principles for making wise decisions. I’m sure most of you saw the scandal with Andy, the Astronomer CEO at the Coldplay concert. You probably don’t need me to tell you that his unfaithfuless was a bad decision. It got him into serious trouble and came with huge consequences. Our chapter is the biblical version of an explosive moment like that. I’m sure it went viral and everyone was talking about it.

We’ll look at four points to follow the narrative:

David plans to retrieve the ark

David begins transporting the ark

Yahweh strikes Uzza down

David halts the ark’s journey

Again, we will not find a satisfying reason for Uzza’s death this week. You’ll have to come back next week for that one. But I do want you to see David’s noble desire to move the ark and God’s subtle affirmation at the end.

PRAY.

9:09 David Plans to Retrieve the Ark (8 min)

Our first point in verses 1-4 is that David Plans to Retrieve the Ark. Look with me at verses 1,

1 Chronicles 13:1 LSB

1 Then David took counsel with the commanders of the thousands and the hundreds, even with every leader.

Thorough counsel. Not secret oligarchy. Humble inquiry.

Cynical. Ads for 100% effectiveness. Confidence raises questions.

1 Chronicles 13:2–3 LSB

2 And David said to all the assembly of Israel, “If it seems good to you, and if it is from Yahweh our God, let us send everywhere to our relatives who remain in all the lands of Israel, also to the priests and Levites who are with them in their cities with pasture lands, that they may gather with us; 3 and let us bring back the ark of our God to us, for we did not seek it in the days of Saul.”

David said: Chronicler covers ~450 years, speech is “expensive” word count. Key moments.

to all the assembly of Israel: Beyond commanders and leaders; incl. priests, Levites, and representatives.

If it seems good to you, and if it is from Yahweh our God: Two criteria. The first is fulfilled. What is the second? Seems like David hopes for providence to confirm or deny desires. Only considers the ends, though, and not the means.

Let us send everywhere to our relatives… that they may gather with us; and let us bring back the ark of our God: Two actions planned.

for we did not seek it in the days of Saul: Explicit contrast. Point? 1 Sam 4-7. Turn there.

4:3-4. Saul’s elders use it as talisman / lucky charm fighting Philistines.

4:11 Captured.

5:1-12 Tumors and mice. Bubonic plague? Ashdod > Gath > Ekron (hot potato). 7 months.

1 Samuel 5:11–12 LSB

11 They sent therefore and gathered all the lords of the Philistines and said, “Send away the ark of the God of Israel, and let it return to its own place, so that it will not put us and our people to death.” For there was a deadly confusion throughout the city [of Ekron]; the hand of God was very glorious there. 12 Now the men who did not die were struck with tumors and the cry of the city went up to heaven.

6:1-12 Returned by milk cows who left their calves.

6:13-21 Beth-shemesh receive, sacrifice, look, 50,070 struck down (v. 19)

1 Samuel 7:1–2 LSB

1 And the men of Kiriath-jearim came and brought the ark of Yahweh up and brought it into the house of Abinadab on the hill and set apart Eleazar his son as holy in order to keep the ark of Yahweh. 2 Now it happened from the day when the ark remained at Kiriath-jearim, that the time was long; it was twenty years. And all the house of Israel lamented after Yahweh.

> The ark languished under Saul’s absent-minded rule. David restores worship as a national priority. Right priorities in decisions.

1 Chronicles 13:4 LSB

4 Then all the assembly said that they would do so, for the thing was right in the eyes of all the people.

all the assembly: unified decision.

right in the eyes of all the people: at least not each man doing what was right in his own eyes. safety in numbers. But what about right in God’s eyes? What happened to “if it is from Yahweh our God”?

9:17 David Begins to Transport the Ark (7 min)

With a large public following, our second point is that David Begins to Transport the Ark, in verses 5-8.

1 Chronicles 13:5–6 LSB

5 So David assembled all Israel together, from the Shihor of Egypt even to Lebo-hamath, to bring the ark of God from Kiriath-jearim. 6 And David and all Israel went up to Baalah, that is, to Kiriath-jearim, which belongs to Judah, to bring up from there the ark of God, Yahweh, who is enthroned above the cherubim, where His name is called.

David assembled all Israel together: Shihor = brook or river. Of Egypt = Nile? Numbers 34:3-9 brook of Egypt southern border (v. 5) and Lebo-hamath as northern (v. 8). Full inheritance and unity of Israel. Half dozen mentions. 2 Sam 6:1 notes 30,000 men.

David and all Israel went up to Baalah: Canaanite religious center (“wife” or “lady”)? Renamed by Israel as Kiriath-Jearim (“Woodsville”).

Baalah, that is, to Kiriath-jearim: ~8 miles by foot from Jerusalem, rocky hilly terrain.

to bring up from there the ark of God: worshipful, respectful; a careful reverence for our holy God. Not any old ark.

Yahweh

Who is enthroned above the cherubim

Where His name is called

1 Chronicles 13:7 LSB

7 And they drove the ark of God on a new cart from the house of Abinadab, and Uzza [ooz-zah] and Ahio [aH-hyo] were leading the cart.

new cart: 1) Had to be new, old destroyed: the Beth-shemites received the ark, “they split the wood of the cart and offered the cows as a burnt offering to Yahweh” (1 Sam 6:14). Old cart long gone. 2) invokes Philistine memory, cf. 1 Samuel 6:7–8 “7 “So now, take and make a new cart and two milch cows on which there has never been a yoke; and hitch the cows to the cart and… take the ark of Yahweh and place it on the cart; and put the articles of gold which you return to Him as a guilt offering in a box by its side. Then send it away that it may go.” Pagan transport.

from the house of Abinadab: new cart, sons’ service, goodwill despite loss. Faithful man, 20 years stewardship. No incident. No jealousy.

1 Chronicles 13:8 LSB

8 Now David and all Israel were celebrating before God with all their strength, even with songs and with lyres, harps, tambourines, cymbals, and with trumpets.

Celebrating before God with all their strength: Celebrating refers to dancing. 2 Sam 6:16, 21 says “leaping and dancing before Yahweh.” We saw this with Miriam after Red Sea. David did not want a dull, 8-mile trudge. Worship.

Emphasis on worship in Chronicles. All Israel. All strength. All the instruments.

Now: Never mind the 30K. All the action in background periphery. Focus on cart. Anticipation. Keep your eye on it.

9:24 Yahweh Strikes Uzza Down (8 min)

This leads us to the moment the music died. Our third point is that Yahweh Strikes Uzza Down in verses 9-11.

1 Chronicles 13:9–10 LSB

9 Then they came to the threshing floor of Chidon. And Uzza reached out with his hand to take hold of the ark, because the oxen nearly upset it. 10 And the anger of Yahweh burned against Uzza, and He struck him down because he reached out with his hand to the ark; and he died there before God.

threshing floor of Chidon: “Nacon” in 2 Sam 6. About 4-6 miles of 8. Maybe 3-4 hours. 2-3 mile parade in 20ft-wide formation. Imagine passing the word down the line?

Uzza reached out with his hand: Emphasis on hand.

because the oxen nearly upset it: Mentioned after, not chronological or emphasized. Maybe they found grain on the threshing floor?

the anger of Yahweh burned against Uzza: more like “exploded,” immediate. Heb. lit. “nose got hot.”

He struck him down: How? Not said. Hiphil stem, make certain. Not a slap. Seems a harsh fate? Did Uzza go to hell? Who knows, it doesn’t say. However, Jesus does warn there are many well-meaning people like Uzza: Matthew 7:22 “Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, in Your name did we not prophesy, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name do many miracles?’” You would have thought Uzza, leading the procession, would be safe.

because he reached out with his hand to the ark: repeated, 2 Sam 6:7 adds for his “irreverence.” Right in his eyes, not God’s. Will explore more in a minute.

died there before God: 2 Sam 6:7, “there by the ark.” Before God yes, and all the people. No more celebrating or music. Not mentioned. Silenced. Imagine! Get run over? Everyone steps back from the ark as they realize.

Remember David’s decision-making criteria: “if it is from Yahweh our God” (v. 2)? How about now?

1 Chronicles 13:11 LSB

11 And David became angry because of Yahweh’s breaking out against Uzza; and that place is called Perez-uzza to this day.

David became angry: Angry back at Yahweh. Why not Abinadab angry? Aaron with Nadab and Abihu? Leviticus 10:3 “Then Moses said to Aaron, “It is what Yahweh spoke, saying, ‘By those who come near Me I will be treated as holy, And before all the people I will be glorified.’” So Aaron kept silent.” Poor Uzza was at fault as well.

Yahweh’s breaking out against Uzza: lit. “broken through a breakthrough” common Hebrew construct. Emphasis. 2 Samuel 5:20 “David said, ‘Yahweh has broken through my enemies before me, like the breakthrough of waters.’”

that place is called Perez-uzza to this day: No more Chidon / Nacon. Still threshing?

9:32 David Halts the Ark’s Journey (6 min)

After this catastrophe, we find our fourth point: David Halts the Ark’s Journey in verses 12-14.

1 Chronicles 13:12–13 LSB

12 So David was afraid of God that day, saying, “How can I bring the ark of God back to me?” 13 And David did not move the ark with him to the city of David, but took it aside to the house of Obed-edom the Gittite.

David was afraid of God that day: First angry, then afraid. 3x afraid: Jonathan implies during flight from Saul (“don’t be afraid”); Achish the king of Gath; now. Not much.

Singular references: How can I… to me? … with him. Previous strength in numbers; alone and afraid. Consequences of bad decisions.

How can I bring the ark of God back to me?: Another direct quote, emphasis. The vexing question. David surely though of every option to save face. Concluded there was no recourse.

David did not move the ark with him to the city of David: David went back, but without the ark. Unsuccessful mission. Empty-handed. Bad news travels fast. Shameful. Shortly afterward, in 14:1-2, David reassured by news from Hiram. Implies questions. God isn’t buddy-buddy from wilderness years. No slacking. High standard.

the house of Obed-edom the Gittite: Nearby? Obed-edom Levite and gatekeeper. But here is “Gittite” = Gath. 2 Sam 15:18-22, 600 men from Gath with Ittai, who became one of David’s top three. Philistine irony. Depressing recapitulation to Saul’s kingship. Repeat?

1 Chronicles 13:14 LSB

14 Thus the ark of God remained with the household of Obed-edom in his house three months; and Yahweh blessed the household of Obed-edom with all that he had.

Remained with the household of Obed-edom in his house three months: “Kids, no touch!” People died: looking inside and touching. 3 months noted short, vs Saul’s 20 years.

Yahweh blessed the household of Obed-edom with all that he had: Best three months of his life. Felt like King Midas, everything turned to gold. Respect as keeper too. Took time to connect the dots and realize God’s blessing. This is the blessing Saul and the Philistines had hoped to obtain. Element of hope in dismal story. Subtle affirmation. No blessing noted for Abinadab despite 20 years, and now we find blessing for Obed-edom in just three months.

9:38 Conclusion (5 min)

That note of hope there in verse 14 is critical to the narrative. David had wondered from the beginning whether his decision to move the ark was from Yahweh our God. That line must refer to David’s desires. He was wondering whether the Lord had stirred up the desire in him to move the ark to Jerusalem, to make worship central.

At first glance, this whole incident with Uzza seems to say no. David was simply ambitious. Maybe he just wanted to one-up Saul. As he slunk back to Jerusalem, the people wondered whether they should follow him again. I mean, “Last time we did what David said, one of us got killed!” He made all his commanders and leaders look bad too. All the pain, shame, and loneliness of bad decisions is evident here. When the going gets tough, everyone leaves. Maybe you have found yourself with similar regrets in life. Maybe even like David, you’ve been angry that God doesn’t let you serve Him the way you want. It’s exasperating because you feel like you’re trying to do the right thing.

I remember my first semester at The Master’s Seminary. Those of you who’ve been here a few years know about my stomach issues. I had like four major things go wrong with my gut and spent six weeks in the hospital. One thing was that my appendix burst, twice! I didn’t even know that was possible. I missed my preaching slot for Wednesday night and Jacob had to bail me out last minute. I could not understand what God was doing. All I wanted was to go to seminary and learn to preach His Word! What was I doing wrong? The problem was that my heart was not right. The Lord has provided for me to continue in seminary and I did recover, but I learned the value of submission there.

And so it is with each of us. Man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps. Uzza’s death is not the end of the story. God graciously highlights His blessing on Obed-edom’s household. There is a glimmer of hope for David and all Israel. God’s blessing is confirmation that David’s desire was from Yahweh after all. The reason everyone sought the ark was now becoming reality. Come back next week to hear David’s response and find the real issue here.

9:43 Prayer (2 min)