IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Daily Bread

An Attempt to Bring Back the Ark

Date: Apr. 17, 2020

Passage

1 Chronicles 13:1-14

The Ark Brought from Kiriath-Jearim

13:1 David consulted with the commanders of thousands and of hundreds, with every leader. 2 And David said to all the assembly of Israel, “If it seems good to you and from the LORD our God, let us send abroad to our brothers who remain in all the lands of Israel, as well as to the priests and Levites in the cities that have pasturelands, that they may be gathered to us. 3 Then let us bring again the ark of our God to us, for we did not seek it in the days of Saul.” 4 All the assembly agreed to do so, for the thing was right in the eyes of all the people.

Uzzah and the Ark

5 So David assembled all Israel from the Nile of Egypt 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 that belongs to Judah, to bring up from there the ark of God, which is called by the name of the LORD who sits enthroned above the cherubim. 7 And they carried the ark of God on a new cart, from the house of Abinadab, and Uzzah and Ahio were driving the cart. 8 And David and all Israel were celebrating before God with all their might, with song and lyres and harps and tambourines and cymbals and trumpets.

9 And when they came to the threshing floor of Chidon, Uzzah put out his hand to take hold of the ark, for the oxen stumbled. 10 And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzzah, and he struck him down because he put out his hand to the ark, and he died there before God. 11 And David was angry because the LORD had broken out against Uzzah. And that place is called Perez-uzza to this day. 12 And David was afraid of God that day, and he said, “How can I bring the ark of God home to me?” 13 So David did not take the ark home into the city of David, but took it aside to the house of Obed-edom the Gittite. 14 And the ark of God remained with the household of Obed-edom in his house three months. And the LORD blessed the household of Obed-edom and all that he had.

Daily Bread

Key Verse: 1 Chronicles 13:3

Then let us bring again the ark of our God to us, for we did not seek it in the days of Saul.”

1. Let us bring the ark of our God back to us (1-6)

King Saul had neglected God's ark, which represented God's enthroned presence, Name and covenant with his people (6). King David's priority was to seek God first: he desired to bring the ark of God to the tabernacle in Jerusalem, David's capital city. He also called for priests and Levites who would minister in the tabernacle. David made it a big national occasion.

2. The Lord struck Uzzah struck dead (7-14)

David moved the ark on a new cart, with two men guiding it. He and all the Israelites were celebrating with all their might before God. Then, the cart hit a bump and Uzzah steadied it with his hand. The Lord struck him dead for this (15:13 explains why). David was both angry and fearful. He put the ark in the home of Obed-Edom for three months, and God blessed this family greatly. It is good to seek God's presence and blessing. Even so, we must come to God on his terms and in his prescribed way. For us, that way is Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.

Prayer: Lord, I seek you. I come to you in the way you have provided-Jesus Christ.

One Word: Worship God in God's prescribed way

Daily Bread

The Lord Judges the Proud

Psalm 75:1-10

Key Verse: 75:2

“At the set time that I appoint
I will judge with equity.

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