His Irreverent Act

2 Samuel 6:3-7 – And they carried the ark of God on a new cart and brought it out of the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill. And Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, were driving the new cart, with the ark of God, and Ahio went before the ark. And David and all the house of Israel were celebrating before the Lord, with songs and lyres and harps and tambourines and castanets and cymbals. And when they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah put out his hand to the ark of God and took hold of it, for the oxen stumbled. And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzzah, and God struck him down there because of his error, and he died there beside the ark of God.

Leviticus 10:2 – And fire came out from before the Lord and consumed them, and they died before the Lord.

Joshua 24:19 – But Joshua said to the people, “You are not able to serve the Lord, for he is a holy God. He is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions or your sins.

Acts 5:1-3,9 – But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, and with his wife's knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles' feet. But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land?... But Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.”

Application:

• ·         Although Uzzah’s intent may have been good, he violated the clear instructions the Lord had given for handling the ark.
• ·         The new community (with Nadab and Abihu) had to be made aware that it existed for God, not vice versa.
• ·         Joshua’s words, “You are not able”, were strong words to emphasize the danger of overconfidence.
• ·         Love of praise for generosity and love for money led to the first recorded sin in the life of the church. It is a warning to the readers that “God cannot be mocked”.
• ·         Ananias and Sapphira had a right to keep back whatever they chose, but to make it appear that they had given all when they had not was sinful.
• ·         The Holy Spirit is regarded as God Himself present with His people.
• ·         With Ananias and Sapphira, it was important to set the course properly at the outset in order to leave no doubt that God will not tolerate such hypocrisy and deceit.

All Scripture verses taken from ESV