Liturgical Abuses

Sunday, March 8, 2020
Woodstream Church
1 Chronicles 13:8-14

After capturing Jerusalem, David desired to bring to his new capital the Ark of the Covenant, the focus of God’s compact with Israel and representative of God’s earthly throne.  With great pomp and celebration, the Ark was transported on an ox-driven cart.  When it hit a rough spot and almost toppled, Uzza instinctively put out his hand to steady the Ark, and was killed by God for violating the liturgical requirements prohibiting anyone from touching the holy relic.  That was why it was only to be transported on poles by prescribed priests.

1. Good Intentions Do Not Justify A Wrong Action. David and his men had good intentions to transport the Ark to the capital city.  But they didn’t handle the Ark properly in transporting it and suffered God’s wrath.  Just as the Ark was to be handled with care, we are to handle God’s truth with great care and deliberation.

2. Though We Err The Ark Of The Covenant Is Also The Mercy Seat. God is holy, and can only be approached through sacrifice and permission.  David did the right thing with the right intention, but in the wrong way.  But God was merciful and gave David a second chance to get it right.  Three months later, David transported the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem by closely adhering to the Liturgical Ordinances handed down by Moses.

3. Where There Is Truth There Is Order. All truth is God’s truth.  Truth is non-contradictory, coherent, intelligible and gives a clear picture of God.  Therefore, we must handle truth properly in not only what we say and believe, but also in how we execute and carry out the truth.