WEDNESDAY November 21, 2018
Greater Accountability
“Now therefore, make a new cart, take two milk cows which have never been yoked, and hitch the cows to the cart; and take their calves home, away from them. Then take the ark of the LORD and set it on the cart; and put the articles of gold which you are returning to Him as a trespass offering in a chest by its side. Then send it away, and let it go.”
1 Samuel 6:7-8
The Philistines’ priests and diviners advised their people on how to send the Ark of the LORD away. The Philistines were ignorant of God’s commands in transporting it. The Ark of the LORD was to be carried on the shoulders of the Levite priests of Israel, with two long poles placed through the golden rings on the sides of the Ark. The Philistines placed it on a cart to send it away. However, God allowed it. He did not punish them.
Later, when King David set the Ark of the Lord on a cart to carry it just like the Philistines. When King David tried to move the Ark of the Covenant in the same way, it created problems. When the oxen stumbled, the cart tipped, and Uzzah, one of the drivers, put out his hand to hold onto the Ark. When he touched the Ark, God struck him and he died. He aroused the anger of the Lord (2 Samuel 6:7).
David knew the proper way to move the Ark of the Covenant, but he failed to follow God’s instructions, and it had devastating consequences. David knew the Word of God. Yet the LORD did not hold the Philistines accountable because they had no knowledge on how to carry the Ark.
As Christians, we are held to a greater standard of accountability––to whom much is given, much more is required (Luke 12:48). If we do not obey God’s Word, we shall have greater consequences, because we have known the truth and have chosen not to follow God’s commands.
It was the belief in the accountability of a man to His maker that made America a great nation.
~A. W. Tozer~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit Somebodylovesyouradio.org!