A Change of Plan

The throng accompanying the ark was stunned.

The music stopped, and the procession came to a halt.

David was shocked at the death of Uzzah, and fear of the ark gripped him.

He now realized, as never before, the sacredness of God’s law and the exactitude necessary to obey. “David’s displeasure at the death of Uzzah was due largely to the fact that his own heart was not entirely right. If he had been fully at peace with God, he would have had no reason to fear and he would have accepted the will of the Lord. Whatever the Lord does is perfect, and whenever man becomes displeased with the works of God, it is an indication that there is something wrong with his own experience. It would have been well for David to humble himself and to search his heart for the evils that were lurking there rather than to find fault with God.” It was decided to house the ark in the home of Obed-edom, who was a Gittite.

It is possible Obed-edom was from the Levitical city of Gath-rimmon and, therefore, a member of the tribe that had been honored to serve as caretakers for the ark (Joshua 21:24–26). “But Obed-edom, though he rejoiced with trembling, welcomed the sacred symbol as the pledge of God’s favor to the obedient. The attention of all Israel was now directed to the Gittite and his household; all watched to see how it would fare with them.” “The presence of the ark in the home of Obed-edom brought a blessing, not a curse. Obed-edom knew how fearfully the Lord had punished irreverence when the ark had been dishonored. He had probably seen David and the thousands of Israel quivering with fear, afraid of the presence of the ark of God. Yet in spite of all this he welcomed the ark to his house.” Because Obed-edom took joy in the presence of the Lord, his entire household was blessed.

Humility and obedience are requirements God insists upon in His presence.

Is your rapport with God based on fear or joy?