1 Chronicles

1 Chronicles 13: The holy God and the ark

Begin in prayer

Before we read about the ark and Uzza, let us be quiet before the LORD together. Ask Him to show us that He is holy, and to lead us to Jesus, the way to come near to God.

By David. Praise Yahweh, my soul! All that is within me, praise his holy name!

Psalm 103:1

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us that You are holy, and show us Jesus, the way to come near to You. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

David and the leaders agreed to bring God's ark back, because Israel had not sought it in Saul's days (verse 3). The ark was the holy chest where God's presence met His people, kept at Kiriath Jearim (verses 5 and 6). They carried it on a new cart, and David and all Israel played music before God (verses 7 and 8). The oxen stumbled, and Uzza put out his hand to hold the ark (verse 9). The LORD's anger burned against Uzza, and he died there before God (verse 10). David was afraid, and he left the ark in Obed-Edom's house, where the LORD blessed that house (verses 12 to 14).

As you read 1 Chronicles 13, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

God is holy, so His people must come near to Him the way He has said.

The ark was the holy chest of God's presence, and God had said how to carry it (Numbers 4 verse 15). David wanted the ark back, and they put it on a new cart (verses 3 and 7). God's way was for the Levites to carry it on their shoulders (1 Chronicles 15 verse 15). When the oxen stumbled, Uzza put out his hand to hold the ark, and he died before God (verses 9 and 10). The text says the LORD's anger burned against Uzza because he put his hand on the ark (verse 10). God is holy, and His people may not handle what is His in any way they please. It matters because it keeps us from thinking lightly of God, who comes near only in the way He has said. David was afraid of God that day, but the LORD blessed Obed-Edom's house where the ark stayed (verses 12 and 14). Now sinners may come near to God through Jesus, who opened the way by His blood (Hebrews 10 verses 19 and 20).

How does 1 Chronicles 13 show us that God is holy, and that His people must come near to Him the way He has said?

David and Israel wanted to bring the ark back.

David asked all the leaders, and all the assembly agreed (verses 1 to 4). They said they had not sought the ark in the days of Saul (verse 3). David and all Israel played music before God with all their might (verse 8). The wish was right, but the way they carried the ark was not the way God had said.

Uzza touched the ark and died before God.

The oxen stumbled, and Uzza put out his hand to hold the ark (verse 9). The LORD's anger burned against Uzza, and he died there before God (verse 10). The ark was holy, and God had said that only the Levites should carry it (1 Chronicles 15 verse 2). David was afraid of God that day (verse 12).

Jesus opened the way for sinners to come near to God.

David asked, “How can I bring God’s ark home to me?” (verse 12). Hebrews says we have boldness to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus (Hebrews 10 verse 19). He opened a new and living way through the curtain, which is His flesh (Hebrews 10 verse 20). He is a great priest over the house of God (Hebrews 10 verse 21).

Memorise

David was afraid of God that day, saying, “How can I bring God’s ark home to me?”

1 Chronicles 13:12

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, do I respect the holy God, and do I come to Him through Jesus?

David said, “How can I bring God’s ark home to me?” He was afraid of God that day, because Uzza had died before the holy God. Jesus is the answer to that question, for He is the way sinners come near to God (Hebrews 10 verses 19 and 20).

God is holy, and our sin makes us unfit to stand before Him. Jesus came to carry His people's sin. On the cross He bore the punishment for it, and His one offering is enough to bring sinners to God. He rose from the dead, and He lives to bring them in.

So come to God through Jesus, and come with a true heart. Turn from your sin and trust Him. The sins of all who trust Jesus are forgiven, and they may draw near to God with joy.

Parent's note

Tell your children that God is holy, and that Jesus is the way sinners come near to Him. Parents, please explain Uzza's death in verses 9 and 10 gently, and say that God had said how to carry the ark. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God that He is holy, and that Jesus opened the way to Him, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

But you are holy, you who inhabit the praises of Israel.

Psalm 22:3

Holy God, we thank You that You are holy, and that Jesus has opened the way to You. Turn each of us from our sin, and give us faith in Him. Teach us to come to You with respect this week. Amen.