Uzzah’s Death for Touching the Ark of the Covenant
In the Bible, the story of Uzzah’s death is recorded in 2 Samuel 6:1-11. This passage tells us that King David had decided to bring the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. The Ark was a sacred object that represented the presence of God among His people, and it had been kept in a special tent in the city of Kiriath-jearim. David wanted to bring the Ark to Jerusalem because he believed that it would bless the city and bring the people closer to God.
God Struck Uzzah Dead
David assembled a group of 30,000 men to help him move the Ark. They placed it on a new cart and began to transport it to Jerusalem. As they were traveling, the oxen pulling the cart stumbled, and the Ark began to tip over. Uzzah, one of the men who was helping to transport the Ark, reached out to steady it. But as soon as he touched the Ark, God struck him dead.
This is a puzzling and disturbing event, and it raises a number of questions. Why did God kill Uzzah? Was Uzzah wrong to touch the Ark? What can we learn from this story about God’s character and His relationship with His people?
Explanation: Why did God Kill Uzzah?
One possible explanation for Uzzah’s death is that he was disobeying a commandment that God had given to the Israelites. In Numbers 4:15, God gave very specific instructions for how the Ark was to be transported. It was to be carried by the Levites, using poles that were inserted into rings on the sides of the Ark. No one was allowed to touch the Ark itself, on pain of death.
This commandment was given for a reason. The Ark was a sacred object that represented the holiness of God. It was not to be treated casually or carelessly. By touching the Ark, Uzzah was violating God’s commandment and showing disrespect for the holiness of God.
Was Uzzah a Priest or Levite?
The passage that recorded the incident did not specify whether Uzzah was a priest or a Levite but, whatever the case may be, he was attempting to take control of the situation in a manner that violated God’s instruction. The Ark was a powerful symbol of God’s presence, and it had the power to bless or curse the people who came into contact with it. Uzzah may have believed that he was doing the right thing by trying to keep the Ark from falling, but in reality, he was trying to control a situation that he has not been authorized to. God’s power and holiness are beyond human understanding, and we must approach Him with humility and respect.
If Uzzah Died Because God Struck him, was it Right or Wrong for God to have Killed him?
Whatever God does is always right as He can never do anything wrong. From Uzzah’s death, it becomes clear that God takes His holiness very seriously. He cannot be approached casually or carelessly, even if the motive is right. The story of Uzzah reminds us that we must approach God with reverence and humility, recognizing His power and His sovereignty over all things. It also reminds us that God’s ways are not always understandable to us. We may not always understand why He does what He does, but we can trust that He is always acting in accordance with His perfect wisdom and love.
Lesson: What do we Learn from Uzzah’s Life and Death?
The story of Uzzah’s death is a sobering reminder of the holiness and power of God. The lesson we should learn from Uzzah’s life and death is that we must approach God with humility and respect, recognizing that He is the Lord of all and that His ways are beyond our understanding. Uzzah’s death may seem harsh or unfair to us, but we must trust that God always acts in accordance with His perfect wisdom and love. We can learn from Uzzah’s mistake and strive to live our lives in a way that honors God and shows reverence for His holiness.
ADDITIONAL READING
The Antichrist | Who Is He And What Will He Do?
Old Covenant vs New Covenant | The Differences Between Them Explained
