And David called for Zadok and Abiathar the priests, and for the Levites, for Uriel, Asaiah, and Joel, Shemaiah, and Eliel, and Amminadab, and said unto them, “Ye are the chief of the fathers of the Levites: sanctify yourselves, both ye and your brethren, that ye may bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel unto the place that I have prepared for it. For because ye did it not at the first, the LORD our God made a breach upon us, for that we sought him not after the due order.” So the priests and the Levites sanctified themselves to bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel. And the children of the Levites bare the ark of God upon their shoulders with the staves thereon, as Moses commanded according to the word of the LORD.
1 Chronicles 15:11-15
ark of God
He Trembled for the Ark of God
Please read 1 Samuel 2 – 4 for today’s reading…
“And there ran a man of Benjamin out of the army, and came to Shiloh the same day with his clothes rent, and with earth upon his head. And when he came, lo, Eli sat upon a seat by the wayside watching: for his heart trembled for the ark of God. And when the man came into the city, and told it, all the city cried out.” 1 Samuel 4:12-13 (KJB)
The ark of God for the children of Israel was the presence of God in their midst. They had, sadly, gotten to the state of mind that it was more an object of superstition; a rabbit’s foot; than it was the presence of God. Yet Eli’s heart trembled for the ark of God. It had been carried onto a battlefield which was going to be lost to the Philistines, and…
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Cart to Disaster, and Learning
“And they set the ark of God upon a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab that was in Gibeah: and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drave the new cart…
…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.” 2 Samuel 6:3, 6-7 (KJV)
David desired to move the ark of God to Jerusalem. He neglected to check with God to find the proper way to move it (1 Chronicles 15). Instead he had just chosen to follow the pattern of the Philistines (1 Samuel 6).
The ark of God represents the presence, power and glory of God. God has intended to live in the hearts and lives of His people. The people of God cannot carry His presence, power and glory the way the enemy of God would – on a cart, a new cart even. It must be carried by the priests; on their shoulders; bearing the full weight.
The priests of God are all who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. The priesthood of every believer – “You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood…” (1 Peter 2:9). Jesus Himself being our High Priest before the throne of God (Hebrews 4:14-16). Any priesthood other than the priesthood of every believer, follower of Jesus Christ is a farce.
Christian, be faithful in showing forth the presence, power and glory of God. The Father has made this possible through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The Fire and Hammer 