Year 9, Day 286: 1 Chronicles 13-14

Theological Commentary: Click Here

The two chapters today bring out the humanity of David.  As much as the Chronicler wants to show that God is moving behind the scenes, the Chronicler also wants to show that God’s movement in history is not without human influence as well.

In the first major story, the arc is brought up to Jerusalem.  On its way, the cart carrying the ark falters and Uzzah dies when he tries to reach out and stabilize it.  While it seems like a cruel story at first read, it really is a story about disobedience.  It isn’t about Uzzah’s disobedience; it is all about David’s disobedience.

The ark was made with pole loops so that the ark could be covered on long poles between human priests.  David has the ark put into a cart.  Because of this, when the cart shifts, the oxen pulling the cart don’t know to stop and they certainly can’t lower the ark to the ground.  Therefore, David puts Uzzah in a position to fail.

I love David’s question.  “How can I bring the ark into my home?”  He is terrified about the power contained within.

The answer is simple.  God doesn’t punish the obedient.  So long as David follows the rules, he is in no danger.  So long as David has his focus on God and God’s ways, he is in no danger.

This story sets up the story of David’s family that follows.  All David needs to do is respect God’s idea of marriage and things will go well.  However, once more David misses the mark and lets his humanity show through.  He takes multiple wives.  He then has multiple children with those wives.  Several chapters from now we’ll hear about the rebellion that ensues because of this choice.

The reality is that God’s hand is at work behind the scenes.  He is the one in control.  His influence will endure even after we are gone.  That doesn’t mean that we don’t have a roll to play.  Our humanity, both the good and bad choices that we make, impact what God is doing.  The chronicler wants us to realize that we may be penultimate to God, but we are not utterly insignificant.  Our choices matter; we should be careful when making decisions that impact God’s hand at work.

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