Don’t touch! Don’t Meddle!

By Peter Crause

2Samuel 6:6-7 and when they came to Nachon's threshing floor, 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.

The ark here mentioned must in no way be confused with the ark that Noah built at the time of the universal flood. This ark here mentioned was a wooden box, covered with gold; containing among other things the Ten Commandments written on stone. It was placed in the Holy of Holies; the “inner sanctum”; the place where the Lord communed with the ministering priests in the wilderness tabernacle. It was a symbol of the presence of the Lord. Where the ark was; God was manifestly present. The ark, called “the ark of the covenant” was a picture or “type” of the Lord Jesus Christ – He was the Living Word and Law of God – represented by the Law written on stones. He was human – represented by the wood. He was Divine – represented by the Gold covering. Where Jesus was, God was!

The ark had been kept in the house of Abinadab after its return from the Philistines. The Philistines had sent it back on an ox drawn cart – evidently David didn’t remember the Lord’s instruction concerning how it was to be carried – he followed the Philistines’ lead. The end result was a fatal error for Uzzah, who accompanied the ark on the cart. David wanted the “presence of God”, symbolized by the Ark; to be in his house. He basically sought “revival” – but was doing it the “wrong way” – which was totally unacceptable to the Lord.

Trying to bring revival by human wisdom and means will do more damage than good.

Multiple errors were involved:

1. New cart – only the “old paths and ways” will be accepted by the Lord. We cannot present Jesus with “new teachings” or “another Gospel” – “Tell me the old, old story…of Jesus and His love.” Today, when mankind are attempting to determine by human wisdom the relevance of Christianity in our society and lives, many churches are bowing to the pressure and “modifying” their message to the world. The Gospel (Good News) has become nothing more than social action and godless humanism. This “new cart” will not prosper and will bring more “spiritual death” to its supporters. The “new cart” will definitely not bring the presence of God on the scene; it will only bring death to those who “touch” it.

2, Cattle drawn – was to be carried by priests – those in “ministry” should be seeking God for revival; don’t “pass the buck” to those to whom you minister. The “new cart” that was carrying the ark, of necessity needed a new method of conveyance. Once the path of error was started, additional errors had to be introduced to support and strengthen the previous error. When we honestly analyze the message and practices of some church groups claiming to be “Christian” today in light of what we see recorded in scripture, we can only conclude the difference is so vast as to make them unrecognizable as “New Testament” churches in message and practice. Increase in church membership is not necessarily revival – revival is a return to God’s path and ways.

3. Was to be covered – not open to public view. We are encouraged in scripture to “not cast our pearls before swine” – harsh condemning words indeed of those who trample underfoot the Blood of Christ and the message of the Cross. The deep and precious things of Christ are for the scrutiny of those who are part of the “Kingdom of Priests” and not for the ungodly world outside. Present Jesus as Savior by all means, but the depths and precious things cannot be shown to those who are not “family”. In addition, it is primarily secret prayer and seeking the Lord that revival is to be promoted and sought; not with public ostentation and show of the flesh.

4. Was not to be touched (Numbers 4:15) – it was completely self-contained and had no need of assistance or modification. Jesus is the Alpha and Omega – there is nothing man can add or assist to improve upon Him. What He accomplished was complete. He is perfection and the Gospel concerning Jesus Christ is complete and must not be touched or modified by anyone. It is not “Jesus and”, but “Jesus only”! “Touching” or meddling with what God has given us in Christ will bring instant “spiritual death” and coldness to ones life. DON’T TOUCH!

At the happening of this incident; the Death of Uzzah when he “touched” or tried to “help” the ark; David became fearful:

2Samuel 6:9 and David was afraid of the LORD that day, and said, How shall the ark of the LORD come to me?

I believe David went back to the Word of God and found the answer – it had to be done God’s way! David later did it correctly, and the ark was successfully returned to David’s city. Only when God’s way is followed will there be success.