Bible Pathways - April 13, 2006

April 13, 2006

In Today's Reading:

David brings the Ark of God into Jerusalem; God makes a covenant with David; David's prayer of thanksgiving; his victories; David's kindness to Mephibosheth

David was now king of the united kingdom. He desired to honor God by bringing the Ark of the Covenant, the dwelling place of God on earth, to Jerusalem which would be the religious and political capital of David's kingdom. For about 75 years, during most of Samuel's leadership and during Saul's 40-year reign, the Ark had remained with Abinadab at Kirjath-jearim.

David often inquired of the LORD about what to do (I Samuel 23:2,4; II Samuel 2:1; 5:19,23), but he saw no need to pray about moving the Ark to Jerusalem.

David gathered together all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand. . . . to bring up from thence (to Jerusalem) the Ark of God. . . . they set the Ark of God upon a new cart as the Philistines had done many years before when they captured it, and proceeded toward Jerusalem with great rejoicing. Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drave the new cart (II Samuel 6:1-4). David made the procession a national day of rejoicing to impress all Israel with the importance of putting God in the center of their nation.

Attempting to keep the Ark from toppling off the cart, Uzzah put forth his hand to the Ark of God, and took hold of it; for the oxen shook it. . . . and God smote him there for his error; and there he died by the Ark of God (6:6-7). David was humiliated and displeased (6:8). David was sincerely seeking to honor God but had overlooked two very important instructions in the Word of God: The Ark had to be carried by poles on the shoulders of the priests, and the penalty for touching the Ark of God's Presence was death (Exodus 25:10-15; Numbers 3:30-31; 4:15; 7:9).

This incident should teach us that it is a serious error to believe that, as long as a person is sincere, it makes no difference what he believes or does. It should also teach us the importance of knowing God's Word: Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth (II Timothy 2:15; John 6:63).

Word Studies:

6:2 Baale of Judah refers to the town of Kirjath-jearim; 6:7 error = rashness, negligence; 6:14 linen ephod = priestly garment; 6:19 dealt = distributed; 6:21 play = celebrate, show my joy; 6:22 vile = lightly esteemed; 7:8 sheepcote = pastureland; 7:9 cut off = destroyed; 7:12 seed = offspring, descendants; 7:23 terrible = full of wonder; awesome; fearful; 8:3 recover his border = establish his territory; 8:4 houghed = hamstrung; 8:5 succour = help; 9:8 dead dog = worthless person.

Christ Revealed:

By the Ark of the Covenant which they . . . set . . . in the midst of the Tabernacle that David had pitched for it (II Samuel 6:17). The Ark contained God's Word given to Moses (Deuteronomy 10:1-5). Christ is the Living Word and dwells within us. Christ in you, the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27).

Prayer Needs:

Pray for The International Shortwave Radio Broadcasts in honor of The Love of God's Word; and, sponsored by Charles and Jo Van Boskirk · Staff: Pam Pendergrast · Government Officials: Rep. Jim Costa (CA) and Rep. Susan Davis (CA) · Country: Taiwan, Republic of China (22 million) 77 islands off the southeastern coast of Red China · Major language: Mandarin Chinese · Religious freedom · 70% Chinese folk-religions/Buddhism; 3% Protestant; 1.5% Roman Catholic · Prayer Suggestion: Ask for your daily needs (Matthew 6:11).

Optional Reading: Acts 14

Memory Verse for the Week: I Samuel 15:23