Zealous for God

A neat little incident is recorded in 1 Chronicles, chapter 13. David and all Israel went up to Kirjath Jearim, in Judah, to bring the Ark of God the LORD to Jerusalem. They carried the Ark of God on a new cart from the house of Abinadab. Uzza and Ahio drove the cart. When the oxen stumbled, Uzzah tried to steady the Ark, and the Lord, in His anger, struck Uzzah down. God had given specific instructions about handling the Ark of the Covenant (Num.1:47-52). God had instructed that no one should touch the Ark, the symbol of His Presence and Majesty. The Levites carried it on their shoulders using poles. God must have given this method considering the hilly terrain of the Judean Hills! Uzzah's action grew out of his ignorance of God's Word or his lack of understanding of the Holy God of Israel. This incident exemplifies the inherent dangers of zeal for God without knowing His Word and ways! Uzzah was zealous for God but was not aware of God's ways. God's work has to be done only in His way, and ignorance is no excuse!

The text does not mention that David sought the LORD's guidance before moving the Ark. They consulted with each other, but not with the LORD. The intention of bringing the Ark of the Covenant back to Jerusalem was commendable, but their approach was not according to God's direction. The Philistines transported the Ark on a cart in 1 Samuel 6:10-11. They got away with it because they were Philistines, but God expected more from His people. Israel was to take their cue from God's Word, not from the Philistines. Our God is a zealous God and He desires us to be zealous for Him. However, in our zeal, we must not alter the scriptures or use our human ingenuity to aid God's plan. We must not insert our own ideas into the Word of God, for that will only bring curses upon us (Rev 22:18). We must not carry out God's work with selfish motives and personal agendas. David did not have to fear God, but his own disposition. There was no issue with God or the Ark itself, as the blessing on the house of Obed-Edom demonstrated. The issue was the lack of knowledge of God's law and obedience to that law!

My friend, are you zealous for God? If you are zealous for God, understand His call on your life and accomplish His purpose for your life in His way. In the Christian life, the end never justifies the means. Whatever we may do, the Lord looks at our motives and how we accomplish them. Remember, even great mission activities and acts of Service will not be acceptable to the Lord if the motives and the methods are contrary to Biblical principles. May the Lord help us.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, help me not to have selfish motives and personal agendas but always strive to glorify God in all I do. Amen.

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