Respecting God's Holiness

True Worshipers have a Desire to Honor God ()

Explanation: David has been blessed by the Lord God on becoming King of a united country. With the reign of David, the country begins its golden years. God grants David success over his enemies, and then the King begins to consider ways he can honor and serve the LORD.

It enters his thoughts to bring the Ark of the Covenant in from the countryside to a place of respect and prominence. The Ark of God has been residing in the town of Kiriath-jearim ever since the Philistines returned it. The sons of the High Priest Eli were foolish enough to try to use the Ark of the Covenant as a magic charm, a talisman of power, and the whole Israelite army was wiped out and the Ark of God was captured by the enemy. God then judged the Philistines for trying to place His Ark in a position subservient to a false idol. After 7 months of terror, sickness, and judgment, the Philistines returned the Ark. (See - 7:2 for full account) Upon it return, it was left in the care of Abinidab at Kiriath-jearim. It remained there until David brought it to Jerusalem.

The Ark of the Covenant was a chest made from Acacia wood and was around 4 foot long, by 2 foot wide, and 2 foot deep. It was overlaid inside and out with gold, and the top was a gold slab called the mercy seat which was enclosed by two cherubim with outstretched wings. Inside the Ark was the tablet containing the 10 commandments, a pot of manna, and Aaron’s staff. The Ark was a visible sign that the invisible God was dwelling in Israel’s midst. The Lord spoke to Moses from between the cherubim (). The Ark had a devastating and often deadly ‘holiness.’ (Baker Enclyopedia of the Bible)

Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible Names

The Israelites were thus reminded that the ark’s holiness was not magical, but derived from the holy Law of God contained inside it.

Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible Names

Names. The ark was sometimes referred to simply as the ark (Ex 37:1; Nm 3:31), at other times as the “ark of [the] testimony” (Nm 4:5; Jos 4:16). The Israelites were thus reminded that the ark’s holiness was not magical, but derived from the holy Law of God contained inside it. That name also confronted the Israelites with their need to follow the commands God had given in his “testimony.”

Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible Names

It was a visible sign that the invisible God was dwelling in Israel’s midst. It had a devastating and often deadly “holiness.”

Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible Names

At times the ark was called “the ark of God.” It was a visible sign that the invisible God was dwelling in Israel’s midst. It had a devastating and often deadly “holiness.” The people of Beth-shemesh were severely punished after they had treated the ark without proper reverence (1 Sm 6:19). A man named Uzzah was killed by the Lord when he touched it with his hand to keep it from tumbling to the ground from a cart (2 Sm 6:6–9). The ark was dangerous to touch because it was the very symbol of God’s presence. For this reason God commanded that the ark be placed in the Holy of Holies, separated from the rest of the tabernacle (and later the temple) by a heavy veil (Ex 26:31–33; Heb 9:3–5); no sinful man could look upon the glory of God above the ark and live (Lv 16:2).

Argument: The Ark, the visible sign of the invisible God had been abandoned in the periphery for many years. King David wanted to acknowledge the greatness of God by restoring the Ark to a place of prominence. This was a good and right move on King David’s part. The central truth of worship is that God is the Center, He is the Supreme One and that it really is all about Him.

This truth has not changed, and it is to be a reality in our lives as well. Those of us who have been changed by the power of God through the New Birth will have a desire to honor Him. The desire may not be fully formed in expression, and it may be inconsistent, but it will be present. [Read ]

Application: In what specific ways will those around you observe your desire to honor God? What will you do tomorrow at work / school / home that will reflect God’s honor to observers? You can share about this service & brag on God, you can have an open Bible in your workspace (don’t just do it for decoration!), you can invite someone to church The main thing is to be intentional

True Worshipers grow in their Knowledge of God’s Holiness ()

Explanation: King David takes thousands of Israelites with him to reclaim the Ark of the Covenant. The Ark was placed on a new cart, and the procession heads for Jerusalem amidst the loud songs and happy shouts of celebration. Everyone was having a grand time; it was one of those, “remember how much fun we had in the Ark parade?” moments that people treasure. Suddenly, in the midst of the celebration disaster strikes! The oxen pulling the cart stumble, and Uzzah reaches out and touches the Ark to keep it from sliding and BAM!, Uzzah is dead. Party over.

Illustrate: Picture a wedding scene. The Wedding Party is on the platform, the guests as standing, the music is playing, and the Father of the Bride is walking his daughter down the aisle. Smiles are everywhere, the Bride is radiant, the Groom confident, and then, the Father of the Bride stumbles and falls. He experiences a massive heart attack and dies on the spot!

Argument: The death of Uzzah was not mysterious in the manner of a heart attack. Those can occur to anyone at anytime. Uzzah’s death was directly attributed to physically touching the Ark. The text clearly states that God struck Uzzah dead for this sin. [Uzzah did not intend sin - he thought he was being helpful]. This incident highlights a very important biblical truth: God is Holy and He is to be respected as such by those who approach Him.

Holiness is His central essence, and He has revealed Himself to be such to His people. God does desire that we approach Him, but we are to do it according to His designs, not ours. We can look at this and consider God was unfair. After all, Uzzah was only trying to help. In the act of reaching out to the Ark, Uzzah forgot two primary truths: 1) God doesn’t require “our help,” and 2) God had expressly told the people that only the sons of Aaron could handle the Ark and anyone else who touched it would die (). God’s Holiness is also on display in the account of Nahu and Abihu who were consumed by fire from “the presence of the LORD” (). Even though they priests, and were sons of the High Priest, when they offered “unauthorized fire” on God’s altar, He killed them. As the LORD God stated, “Among those who are near me I will be sanctified, and before all the people I WILL BE GLORIFIED” ().

King David gets upset with God for killing Uzzah, and refuses to take the Ark the rest of the way to Jerusalem. Instead, he leaves it for 3 months at the house of Obed-edom. During this time, David hears of God’s blessing the house of Obed-edom, and he also considers his role in the aborted attempt to bring the Ark to the capital city. For his second attempt, David organizes the process according to God’s revelation (). As those carrying the Ark take only 6 steps, David has a sacrifice made to honor God ().

Application: David altered his methods as he grew in his personal understanding of God. A vital, though often neglected, aspect of Christianity is personal worship. As we fulfill our purpose of Connecting to God in Worship we must grow in understanding worship is a lifestyle, not an event we attend. Will you place yourself at God’s disposal this week? You can start each day by asking for His Agenda along with a determination to do things His Way, not yours

True Worshipers Celebrate the Presence of God ()

True Worshipers Celebrate the Presence of God ()

Explanation: The procession of bringing the Ark was a joyous occasion. David had sacrifices made, music was playing, and there was singing and dancing and rejoicing, along with good food. It was truly a marvelous time of celebration in worship. It was worship because God was at center stage, and the people were praising the Name, and offering thanks to His goodness.

Argument: When the people of God gather in a manner that accurately reflects who God is, there should be an element of celebration. After all, we gather to worship and praise a Living Savior, not a dead hero. The Spirit of Christ is here among us, and He desires for us to be joyous, hope-filled people, shining our lights in the darkness for His glory. As the Apostle Paul declares, we “did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but [we] have received the Spirit of Adoption as sons, by whom we cry, ‘Abba, Father.’ “ ()

Make no mistake: the One who spoke to Moses from “between the cherubim” () is the same One who spoke and said, “I am come that you may have life, and have it abundantly” (). When we approach the Throne of Grace through the Blood of Jesus, there is forgiveness of sin, the Peace of His Presence, and the Joy of the New Life. And that is something to Celebrate!!

Application: You CAN celebrate the Presence of God in your life. Not only in this service, but with your life. Take the joy of the LORD with you to the workplace tomorrow, give Him praise and glory in your school this week, tell others about Jesus, and His power to transform lives!