Enthusiasm & Zeal are Prevalent in Religious

 2 Samuel 6:1-11

Neither enthusiasm, nor zeal replaces obedience, but both are prevalent in religious activities.  How ever in a relationship both need trust, respect, love, and even admiration for the other person. Today we are going to explore one of King David’s darker days as King, where he allowed zeal and enthusiasm to replace seeking God’s direction.  As I’m writing this paper, I’m reminded that Bob needs to seek God everyday, not when he has a big problem or project, but in the everyday details of life.

My parents taught me as a young boy that ignorance of the law was not an excuse, and if I broke the law and got caught, I would have to accept the punishment.  David, I’m sure was ignorant of what was written, but the priests were not, and they should have informed David that he was breaking God’s instructions.  It is written in Numbers 4:5-8 instructions about how to move the Ark of the Covenant.  “When the camp is to set out, Aaron and his sons shall go in and take down the veil of the screen and cover the ark of the testimony with it. Then they shall put on it a covering of goatskin and spread on top of that a cloth all of blue, and shall put in its poles. And over the table of the bread of the Presence they shall spread a cloth of blue and put on it the plates, the dishes for incense, the bowls, and the flagons for the drink offering; the regular showbread also shall be on it. Then they shall spread over them a cloth of scarlet and cover the same with a covering of goatskin, and shall put in its poles.”

The King may not have been aware of God’s instructions, but he must have heard about what happened when the Philistines brought the Ark to the field of Joshua of Beth-shemesh and some of the men of the village looked upon the ark of the Lord and He struck down seventy men for doing so.  This teaching should make all of us understand that God is serious about His commandments. 

David gathered all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand, and they went to Baale-judah to bring up the ark of God.  And they put it on a new cart, and all the house of Israel was making merry before the Lord, with songs and all kinds of instruments.  All seemed well until the oxen stumbled and Uzzah put his hand on the ark, and God struck him down, and he died beside the ark.  And it is recorded that David was angry because the Lord had burst forth against Uzzah.

And this was David’s response: “And David was afraid of the Lord that day, and he said, “How can the ark of the Lord come to me?” So David was not willing to take the ark of the Lord into the city of David. But David took it aside to the house of Obed-edom the Gittite. And the ark of the Lord remained in the house of Obed-edom the Gittite three months, and the Lord blessed Obed-edom and all his household.”  2 Samuel 6:9-11

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice