Ask the Pastor
My favorite inquirer asked this week about 1Samuel 6:1-9, and especially verses 6-7, when Uzza was struck dead for touching the Ark, even though his intentions were good. Her specific question is, “why was God has harsh with Uzza? Was it to prove a point?”Preview this Post
This is another one of those difficult questions and my answer may never satisfy our human thinking. But as I understand Scripture (and as we have discussed here before), the Law was our schoolmaster, to point us to Christ. Under the very specific instructions of the Law, only the Levites could carry the Ark, and there was only one way for them to carry it – over their shoulders, using the poles that were inserted through the brass rings on top of each corner of the ark. Even though David was angry at God’s judgment, and afraid to even try again initially, he came to understand the reason in 1Chronicles 15. If you’ll read verse 13 in various translations, it becomes quite clear: God wants us to follow His Word.
I’ll be the first to admit that Uzza’s death seems harsh, but the Old Testament and it’s laws were harsh — because no one could keep the Law. That’s why Jesus had to come. We can’t make it without Him. He is our only hope of salvation! And if God had permitted Uzza to violate His word without repercussion, or allowed other people in the Old Testament to do as they wanted rather than what He commanded….well, then there would be no real reason for Jesus to come.
Hope this helps, a little. Now, what would you like to ask the Pastor?
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Friday, January 2nd, 2009 at 12:03 pm under
Thanks Pastor Jerry – Your answer to that question is kind of what I thought. I’m still kind of sad that Uzza had to die, but I know that like you said, God wants us to follow His Word. I thank God for Jesus, because without Him, where would we all be? Thank you for your answer.
January 2nd, 2009 at 6:46 pmHello,
Yes, the bible is so full of questions and answers.That is what makes it the teacher
answers in all the world.
Be Blessed,
Joe A Keeton
January 3rd, 2009 at 2:19 amHi Pastor – just curious… am I missing something or have there just not been requests for baptisim? Have not seen it happen in a while.
January 5th, 2009 at 11:07 pmHi Victoria – unfortunately, you’ve not missed anything…we’ve had a bit of a drought lately when it comes to baptisms. I’m thinking it may have to do with the fact that we haven’t had a membership class in a few months, as it seems that’s the primary time that people response to their need for baptism. Stay tuned!
January 6th, 2009 at 10:03 amHi Pastor – I have another one of “those” questions again. I’ve been reading the old testament a lot, and I was kind of curious about the way God spoke to the people. Did He speak to the people in a human voice or did He speak to their hearts? Whichever way he spoke to them it seems like He would carry on a whole conversation, especially with Moses, since Moses wrote most of what God spoke to him. Also, when he spoke with the prophets, they acted like it was something not uncommon. Does God still speak to His people like that?
January 7th, 2009 at 12:59 pm