Distinctions among meddling, obedience, presumption, and pride are in view, today. Ignorance of divine law is not a justification for wrongdoing. “Good intentions” do not erase disregard for blessing from GOD that can include inheritance, law, prosperity, a role in service, and privilege to worship. The death upon the cross and living ministry of Jesus Christ was no more a condemnation and denial of governing law, than the reign of David from the tribe of Judah as King and Prophet to Israel. In addition to becoming an example of those who forget GOD, deny the sanctions in place against sin through divine law, and show no heartfelt respect to Deity, the death of Uzzah, who reached out to steady the Ark of Covenant when he thought it would fall from a cart, prefigures the death of Jesus upon the cross, the second death through final judgment against the wicked, and the full range of consequences for failure to trust GOD to maintain the things that manifest divinity including his law, the express will of GOD. A fighter at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Henry” (Level 1 with 161 points, a member since May 13, 2016) posted the following:
If God killed someone for trying to help, does that mean we are supposed to kill missionaires?
(2 Samuel 6:6-7) And when they came to Nachon's threshingfloor, Uzzah put forth his hand to the ark of God, and took hold of it; for the oxen shook it. And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzzah; and God smote him there for his error; and there he died by the ark of God.
All this guy wanted to do was help The Lord, and God ended his life. Does that mean the next time a Christian knocks on my door trying to "Help The Lord" that I get to end their life. Isn't Christianity great?
THE GOLDEN ARROW: Now Korah, the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, and Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On, the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took men: And they rose up before Moses, with certain of the children of Israel, two hundred and fifty princes of the assembly, famous in the congregation, men of renown: And they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron, and said unto them, Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them: wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of the LORD? And when Moses heard it, he fell upon his face: And he spake unto Korah and unto all his company, saying, Even to morrow the LORD will shew who are his, and who is holy; and will cause him to come near unto him: even him whom he hath chosen will he cause to come near unto him. This do; Take you censers, Korah, and all his company; And put fire therein, and put incense in them before the LORD to morrow: and it shall be that the man whom the LORD doth choose, he shall be holy: ye take too much upon you, ye sons of Levi. And Moses said unto Korah, Hear, I pray you, ye sons of Levi: Seemeth it but a small thing unto you, that the God of Israel hath separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to himself to do the service of the tabernacle of the LORD, and to stand before the congregation to minister unto them? And he hath brought thee near to him, and all thy brethren the sons of Levi with thee: and seek ye the priesthood also? For which cause both thou and all thy company are gathered together against the LORD: and what is Aaron, that ye murmur against him? (Numbers 16: 1-11, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: The Cross and Mankind (05/13/2016); More On Divine Justification (02/08/2016); Presumption, Pride and Sin? (11/24/2015); All Sin Is Willful? (10/20/2015); Correct in Only Your Mind? (05/04/2015); Resurrection from the Dead? (04/23/2014); Not A Matter Of Opinion? (04/24/2014)
“Henry”, the GOD we serve is a Deity who practices vengeance (we say, judgment, justice). That divinity would have to appear in human form (we say, Incarnation) to embody sin, and be destroyed upon the cross is taken to be a stern warning by many Christian believers to approach the things of GOD with balance, caution, and sobriety. While many followers of Christ trust that, through operations of the Holy Spirit, blood, correction, and truth from the cross are flowing to here and now, they also seek to be careful not to rely upon secular assumptions about divine teachings, or “jump to conclusions” that are not anchored in sacred knowledge and practice (we say, sacraments).
In the same way the expulsion of Adam (the pair) from Eden and the crucifixion of Jesus Christ both must be acknowledged as demonstrations of divine wrath against sin, the “breach” upon Uzzah is to be understood as a revelation of the character, nature and substance of Deity expressed as law, covenant relationship, trust, and divine love. In his anointing by the prophet Samuel, David appropriated to himself more than simply authorization to serve as king over Israel. David, who calls GOD “father” in the holy writings, also understood his appointment to include that of Judge, High Priest, and Prophet who had authority to command the Levitical priests, schedule their service, and establish liturgy for the tabernacle and temple that would follow.
The Ark of the Covenant was not to be touched by human hands. A death penalty was in place from the time of the wandering of Israel in the wilderness. The Ark was to be lifted and carried only by using poles. When the sons of the High Priest Eli came under the curse of GOD, as did King Saul, the Ark was captured by the Philistines. When David saw an opportunity to bring the counsel of GOD to himself at Zion as represented through the Ark and the regalia of the High Priest (the ephod, Urim and Thummim), the Ark was placed upon a new cart pulled by oxen that had never been yoked.
Believers often commit the sins of presumption and pride that may appear as “harmless”, “innocent”, and their way of being themselves. It is partly for this reason that divine forgiveness, mercy in judgment, and the ministry of reconciliation are provided to mankind through the cross. Consider how some of this appears stated in the language of the Bible:
(1.) Deuteronomy 17: 11-13, King James Version (KJV): 11 According to the sentence of the law which they shall teach thee, and according to the judgment which they shall tell thee, thou shalt do: thou shalt not decline from the sentence which they shall shew thee, to the right hand, nor to the left. 12 And the man that will do presumptuously, and will not hearken unto the priest that standeth to minister there before the LORD thy God, or unto the judge, even that man shall die: and thou shalt put away the evil from Israel. 13 And all the people shall hear, and fear, and do no more presumptuously.
(2.) Psalms 19: 12-14, KJV: 12 Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults. 13 Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. 14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
(3.) 2nd Corinthians 5: 17-21, KJV: 17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. 20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. 21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
There is far more that could be said, must be carefully examined, and spiritually understood. (For example, (4.) Hebrews 10: 28-30, KJV: 28 He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: 29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
Washington, DC
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