The ark of the covenant had a long history with Israel, serving as the point of interaction between God and the nation from the time the tabernacle was erected in the wilderness (cf. Exodus 40:17-21,34).
In the building of the ark, rings were set at each of its four corners, and poles of acacia wood, overlaid with gold were put into the rings, “to bear the ark.” (Exodus 37:3-5). After the establishment of the priesthood as found in the book of Leviticus, it fell upon the Levites to care for and bear the ark as the tabernacle was moved from place to place (Numbers 1:49-53; 3:31). The actual directions given concerning the packing and carrying of all the furniture in the tabernacle is revealed in Numbers 4, ending with these instructions, “And when Aaron and his sons have finished covering the sanctuary and all the furnishings of the sanctuary, when the camp is set to go, then the sons of Kohath shall come to carry them; but they shall not touch any holy thing, lest they die. These are the things in the tabernacle of meeting which the sons of Kohath are to carry” (15). The poles were inserted into the ark to allow it to be carried, without touching it or the holy things stored upon it. Not only was the Levite family of Kohath not to touch the ark, God told Moses, “But they shall not go in to watch while the holy things are being covered, lest they die” (20).
Why the care taken, and why the severity of punishment if they are neglected? Because, as Jehovah said to Moses, “I am the Lord” (cf. Number 3:13).
All that God required of Israel was designed for them to understand His authority and Person. When the sons of Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, neglected to show this respect for God, He destroyed them. Moses told Aaron on that occasion, “This is what the Lord spoke, saying: ‘By those who come near Me I must be regarded as holy; and before all the people I must be glorified’” (Leviticus 10:3).
Hundreds of years later, David determined to bring the ark of the covenant to his city. The text of 1 Chronicles 13 reveals that the instructions God gave regarding the conveyance of the ark were not followed.
“So they carried the ark of God on a new cart from the ouse of Abinadab, and Uzza and Ahio drove the cart” (7). This does not mean that David was not sincerely seeking to please God. “David and all Israel played music before God with all their might…” (8). Regardless, God’s instructions were disregarded, leading to tragedy. “And when they came to Chidons threshing floor, Uzza put out his hand to hold the ark, for the oxen stumbled. Then the anger of the Lord was aroused against Uzza, and He struck him because he put his hand to the ark; and he died there before God” (9-10).
God’s punishment angered David (11), but the punishment was just. The ark was holy, and was not to be touched by the unconsecrated. Regardless of Uzza’s intent, God’s instructions were clear, “they shall not touch any holy thing, lest they die” (Numbers 4:15). Interestingly, David learned his lesson, and later made arrangements to bring the ark to Jerusalem in a manner that respected God. (cf. 1 Chronicles 15:2-15.
The next time you come across a religious person who believes that God grants us liberty to serve Him in novel ways of our own devising, remind him of David’s words, “the Lord our God broke out against us, because we did not consult Him about the proper order” (1 Chronicles 15:13).
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