How to Move God

Introduction

- How can we move a God who seems to move at His own pace? This simple song says...

You can't hurry God (No no) You Just have to wait Trust and give Him time No matter how long it takes

He's a God you can't hurry You don't have to worry He may not come when you want Him But He's right on time...

- H

The words to this song came to mind in pr

You can't hurry God (No no) You Just have to wait Trust and give Him time No matter how long it takes

- So tell me, how can we move a God who moves at His own pace, and at His own time!

-Then how can we move a God, who is seemingly unmovable...

He’s got the whole world in His hands (3Xs)

He’s got the whole world in His hands

He’s got the wind and the rain in His hands (3Xs)

He’s got the whole world in His hands

He’s got the little bitty babies in His hands (3Xs)

He’s got the whole world in His hands

He’s got everybody here in His hands (3Xs)

He’s got the whole world in His hands

-Then how can we move a God, who is seemingly unmovable…and Who has the whole world in His hands!

The intent of the sermon today is to be sure we understand what is meant by the scriptural text that speaks of moving this symbol of God!

*Ark of the Covenant. - Represented God’s Presence!

Most important piece of furniture in the wilderness tabernacle (tent-sanctuary) that God instructed Moses to build (). The Hebrew word for ark can also mean “chest” (, ) or “coffin” (), but it is not the same word used for Noah’s ark.

The ark that Moses had …made was an oblong chest made of acacia wood (; ). The chest measured approximately 45 by 27 by 27 inches, and was overlaid inside and out with gold. It was fitted with two pairs of rings through which poles were slid to make it portable.

The ark would also serve as container for the two tablets of the Law that would be given to Moses (). Since the tablets were also called the “testimony,” the ark was sometimes called the “ark of the testimony.” Also in the ark were placed a pot of manna, the miraculous food provided by God (), and Aaron’s rod** that had budded (; ).

**The Ark of Covenant History - **In spite of the Lord’s destruction of those rebels and their followers, the rest of the people of Israel turned against Moses and Aaron, saying that they had “killed the people of the Lord” (). In order to restore respect for the divinely appointed leadership, the Lord told Moses to collect a rod from each tribe and have the leader of the tribe write his name on it. Aaron was told to write his name on the rod of Levi. The rods were placed in the inner room of the tabernacle, in front of the ark (of the covenant). In the morning Aaron’s rod had sprouted blossoms and produced ripe almonds. The rod was then kept there as a continual sign to Israel that the Lord had established the authority of Moses and Aaron...

***6-10 - Having witnessed a dramatic demonstration of the Lord’s zeal to protect his holiness, David became “afraid of the Lord that day” (v. 9). His deepened respect for the Lord’s power and for his willingness to use it against anyone who would violate the Torah caused David to ask, “How can the ark of the Lord ever come to me?” Dr. Walter Brueggemann notes the fear generated by this event was positive, for “when people are no longer awed, respectful, or fearful of God’s holiness, the community is put at risk.”

***Bergen, Robert D. 1, 2 Samuel. Vol. 7. Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1996. Print. The New American Commentary.

Hindrances to worship - True worship goes beyond mere form and can therefore be hindered by a wrong relationship to God or to others.

True worship goes beyond mere form and can therefore be hindered by a wrong relationship to God or to others.

Worship that is merely formal is unacceptable

(KJV 1900) — 22 And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, As in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to hearken than the fat of rams.

See also

(KJV 1900) — 21 I hate, I despise your feast days, And I will not smell in your solemn assemblies. 22 Though ye offer me burnt offerings and your meat offerings, I will not accept them: Neither will I regard the peace offerings of your fat beasts. 23 Take thou away from me the noise of thy songs; For I will not hear the melody of thy viols. 24 But let judgment run down as waters, And righteousness as a mighty stream.”

*Woudstra, Marten H. “Ark of the Covenant.” Baker encyclopedia of the Bible 1988 : 169. Print.

**The Ark of Covenant History - **In spite of the Lord’s destruction of those rebels and their followers, the rest of the people of Israel turned against Moses and Aaron, saying that they had “killed the people of the Lord” (). In order to restore respect for the divinely appointed leadership, the Lord told Moses to collect a rod from each tribe and have the leader of the tribe write his name on it. Aaron was told to write his name on the rod of Levi. The rods were placed in the inner room of the tabernacle, in front of the ark (of the covenant). In the morning Aaron’s rod had sprouted blossoms and produced ripe almonds. The rod was then kept there as a continual sign to Israel that the Lord had established the authority of Moses and Aaron...

**Elwell, Walter A., and Barry J. Beitzel. “Aaron’s Rod.” Baker encyclopedia of the Bible 1988 : 3. Print.

***Bergen, Robert D. 1, 2 Samuel. Vol. 7. Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1996. Print. The New American Commentary.

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*6-10 - Having witnessed a dramatic demonstration of the Lord’s zeal to protect his holiness, David became “afraid of the Lord that day” (v. 9). His deepened respect for the Lord’s power and for his willingness to use it against anyone who would violate the Torah caused David to ask, “How can the ark of the Lord ever come to me?” Dr. Walter Brueggemann notes the fear generated by this event was positive, for “when people are no longer awed, respectful, or fearful of God’s holiness, the community is put at risk.”

12 Now King Davidq was told, “The Lord has blessed the household of Obed-Edom and everything he has, because of the ark of God.” So David went to bring up the ark of God from the house of Obed-Edom to the City of David with rejoicing.

q

“12 Now King David was told, “The Lord has blessed the household of Obed-Edom and everything he has, because of the ark of God.” So David went to bring up the ark of God from the house of Obed-Edom to the City of David with rejoicing.”

The New International Version. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011. Print.”

*6:13a But there was one significant difference between the two attempts to transport the sacred throne; this time Levites carried it by hand (v. 13; cf. ), not transporting it on a cart (cf. v. 3).

Costly fellowship offerings consisting of “a bull and a fattened calf” were offered to the Lord after the Levites “had taken six steps.” This ritual pause after six steps suggests a symbolic significance, perhaps a sort of Sabbath rest, suggesting a consecration of the entire journey.

Hindrances to worship - True worship goes beyond mere form and can therefore be hindered by a wrong relationship to God or to others.

Worship that is merely formal is unacceptable

(KJV 1900) — 22 And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, As in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to hearken than the fat of rams.

(KJV 1900) — 31 And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness.

(KJV 1900) — 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

Worship is hindered by wrong relationships

To God

(KJV 1900) — 18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, The Lord will not hear me:

(KJV 1900) — 7 Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, 8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. 9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

To others

(KJV 1900) — 23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; 24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

See also

(KJV 1900) — 21 I hate, I despise your feast days, And I will not smell in your solemn assemblies. 22 Though ye offer me burnt offerings and your meat offerings, I will not accept them: Neither will I regard the peace offerings of your fat beasts. 23 Take thou away from me the noise of thy songs; For I will not hear the melody of thy viols. 24 But let judgment run down as waters, And righteousness as a mighty stream.”

*6:13–15 But there was one significant difference between the two attempts to transport the sacred throne; this time Levites carried it by hand (v. 13; cf. ), not transporting it on a cart (cf. v. 3).

(13-15) Don’t Allow Your Worship to be Hindered!

Costly fellowship offerings consisting of “a bull and a fattened calf” were offered to the Lord after the Levites “had taken six steps.” This ritual pause after six steps suggests a symbolic significance, perhaps a sort of Sabbath rest, suggesting a consecration of the entire journey.

*Bergen, Robert D. 1, 2 Samuel. Vol. 7. Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1996. Print. The New American Commentary.

**Bergen, Robert D. 1, 2 Samuel. Vol. 7. Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1996. Print. The New American Commentary.

(16) Not only externally, but internally!

“I will bless the Lord at ALL TIMES, and His praise shall continually be in my mouth.”

Most important piece of furniture in the wilderness tabernacle (tent-sanctuary) that God instructed Moses to build (). The Hebrew word for ark can also mean “chest” (, ) or “coffin” (), but it is not the same word used for Noah’s ark.

“

The ark that Moses had Bezalel make was an oblong chest made of acacia wood (; ). The chest measured approximately 45 by 27 by 27 inches, and was overlaid inside and out with gold. It was fitted with two pairs of rings through which poles were slid to make it portable.

Ark of the Covenant. Most important piece of furniture in the wilderness tabernacle (tent-sanctuary) that God instructed Moses to build (). The Hebrew word for ark can also mean “chest” (, ) or “coffin” (), but it is not the same word used for Noah’s ark. The ark that Moses had Bezalel make was an oblong chest made of acacia wood (; ). The chest measured approximately 45 by 27 by 27 inches, and was overlaid inside and out with gold. It was fitted with two pairs of rings through which poles were slid to make it portable. The ark would also serve as container for the two tablets of the Law that would be given to Moses (). Since the tablets were also called the “testimony,” the ark was sometimes called the “ark of the testimony.” Also in the ark were placed a pot of manna, the miraculous food provided by God (), and Aaron’s rod that had budded (; ).

The ark would also serve as container for the two tablets of the Law that would be given to Moses (). Since the tablets were also called the “testimony,” the ark was sometimes called the “ark of the testimony.” Also in the ark were placed a pot of manna, the miraculous food provided by God (-34), and Aaron’s rod that had budded (1; ).

Woudstra, Marten H. “Ark of the Covenant.” Baker encyclopedia of the Bible 1988 : 169. Print.

Ark of the Covenant

Costly fellowship offerings consisting of “a bull and a fattened calf” were offered to the Lord after the Levites “had taken six steps.” This ritual pause after six steps suggests a symbolic significance, perhaps a sort of Sabbath rest, suggesting a consecration of the entire journey.

The chest of acacia wood that contained the two tablets of the Ten Commandments and, according to the NT (), Aaron’s budding rod** ( []) and a golden urn filled with manna ()

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible Ark of the Covenant

ARK OF THE COVENANT

The chest of acacia wood that contained the two tablets of the Ten Commandments and, according to the NT (Heb. 9:4), Aaron’s budding rod (Num. 17:1–11 [MT 16–26]) and a golden urn filled with manna (Exod. 16:33–34)

MT Masoretic Text

Ackerman, Susan. “Ark of the Covenant.” Ed. David Noel Freedman, Allen C. Myers, and Astrid B. Beck. Eerdmans dictionary of the Bible 2000 : 102. Print.

In spite of the Lord’s destruction of those rebels and their followers, the rest of the people of Israel turned against Moses and Aaron, saying that they had “killed the people of the Lord” (). In order to restore respect for the divinely appointed leadership, the Lord told Moses to collect a rod from each tribe and have the leader of the tribe write his name on it. Aaron was told to write his name on the rod of Levi. The rods were placed in the inner room of the tabernacle, in front of the ark (of the covenant). In the morning Aaron’s rod had sprouted blossoms and produced ripe almonds. The rod was then kept there as a continual sign to Israel that the Lord had established the authority of Moses and Aaron

Elwell, Walter A., and Barry J. Beitzel. “Aaron’s Rod.” Baker encyclopedia of the Bible 1988 : 3. Print.

Having witnessed a dramatic demonstration of the Lord’s zeal to protect his holiness, David became “afraid of the Lord that day” (v. 9). His deepened respect for the Lord’s power and for his willingness to use it against anyone who would violate the Torah caused David to ask, “How can the ark of the Lord ever come to me?” Brueggemann notes the fear generated by this event was positive, for “when people are no longer awed, respectful, or fearful of God’s holiness, the community is put at risk.”

***Bergen, Robert D. 1, 2 Samuel. Vol. 7. Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1996. Print. The New American Commentary.

6:13–15 But there was one significant difference between the two attempts to transport the sacred throne; this time Levites carried it by hand (v. 13; cf. ), not transporting it on a cart (cf. v. 3). Costly fellowship offerings45 consisting of “a bull and a fattened calf” were offered to the Lord after the Levites “had taken six steps.” This ritual pause after six steps suggests a symbolic significance, perhaps a sort of Sabbath rest, suggesting a consecration of the entire journey.46

45 The biblical text does not state what category of sacrifice was offered, but the Torah explicitly permitted the slaughter of a bull (שׁוֹר) for fellowship offerings (שְׁלָמִים); cf. ; , . Certainly such a voluntary offering would have been appropriate on this occasion.

46 Youngblood (“1, 2 Samuel,” 873), following McCarter (1 Samuel) and R. A. Carlson (David the Chosen King [Stockholm: Almquist & Wiksell, 1964]), suggests that David had the priests offer sacrifices every six steps until the group arrived at the worship site in Jerusalem.

Bergen, Robert D. 1, 2 Samuel. Vol. 7. Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1996. Print. The New American Commentary.

How to Move God

(1-10)

Moving God

#1 God Can Be Moved (1-5)

#2 God is Moved By our Worship (6-15)

#3 The Movement of God can be Faced with Opposition (16)

Any-how Worship! (17)

(17) Any-how Worship!