Read 1 Chronicles 13
Questions from the Scripture text: With whom did David consult (1 Chronicles 13:1)? To whom did David defer (1 Chronicles 13:2)? In a decision to send whom? With whom else? To whom” with what message? What did he propose to bring back (1 Chronicles 13:3)? What hadn’t been done since when? Who said that they would do so (1 Chronicles 13:4)? Why? Whom did David gather (1 Chronicles 13:5)? To bring what from where? To where did they go up (1 Chronicles 13:6)? In what territory? To bring Whose ark? Where does He dwell? What is proclaimed there? How did they carry it (1 Chronicles 13:7, cf. Exodus 25:14)? Who did what, while this was happening (1 Chronicles 13:8)? But what happened, where (1 Chronicles 13:9, cf. Numbers 4:15)? And how did YHWH respond (1 Chronicles 13:10)? Why? But how did David respond immediately (1 Chronicles 13:11)? And long-term (1 Chronicles 13:12)? So, what did he do instead (1 Chronicles 13:13)? And what did YHWH do (1 Chronicles 13:14)?
What is it like to be in the presence of a holy God? 1 Chronicles 13 looks forward to the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these fourteen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that it is joyous, dangerous, and blessed to be in the presence of a holy God.
It is joyous to be in the presence of a holy God. There was joy in Israel (cf. 1 Chronicles 12:40)! And David, and all Israel, knew that this joy was from YHWH, and should be enjoyed in the presence of YHWH (1 Chronicles 13:1-4). After all, He has made his presence known, and proclaimed His Name, especially upon the cherubim on top of the ark (1 Chronicles 13:6, cf. Exodus 25:22, Psalm 80:1). But the ark was still in Kirjath Jearim (1 Chronicles 13:5). So, David and all Israel agree together to bring it up.
It is dangerous to be in the presence of a holy God. Sadly, however, they do it according to their own ideas (1 Chronicles 13:7-8), instead of according to God’s Word (cf. Exodus 25:14). We can sympathize with Uzza. He sees that the ark is about to fall into the dirt (1 Chronicles 13:9). But, just as they hadn’t heeded Scripture about how to transport the ark, so also they didn’t heed Scripture about what would happen if he touched the ark (cf. Numbers 4:15).
In our natural minds, we think that dirt is dirty, and the ark shouldn’t touch it. But there is nothing more dirty than sin, or a sinner who sins. Like the Pharisees and Scribes in Mark 7:1–23, we do not naturally realize that what is truly unclean is man’s heart, from which proceed so many unclean things. Much better for the ark to hit the dirt than to be touched by Uzza!
We may know that it is joyous to be in the presence of a holy God, and then be careless about how we come into that presence, or what we do in that presence. But, by those who come near Him, He must be regarded as holy (cf. Leviticus 10:3). We must come near, only in the way that He has commanded. Because to come near in the way that He has commanded, is really to come near in the Lord Jesus Christ, Whom He has provided! And to come near in our own way, according to our own ideas and our own wisdom, is like putting the ark on the cart, or catching it with our hands. We don’t even realize how we are undervaluing the holiness of God, and how dangerous this is.
It is blessed to be in the presence of a holy God. David’s reactions of anger and fear are understandable, but a true grief. When the Lord had executed Nadab and Abihu for similar offense, Aaron held his peace at Moses’s explanation. But David becomes angry (1 Chronicles 13:11). When the Lord had executed Nadab and Abihu, the next several chapters of Leviticus deal with distinguishing between clean and unclean, followed by God’s own solution (cf. Leviticus 16) for consecrating the worship of Israel. But David simply becomes afraid and gives up (1 Chronicles 13:12-13). We mustn’t do this with the Lord. Instead, we must do according to His Word.
By the blessing of a Philistine(!) from Gath(!), 1 Chronicles 13:14 drives the message home that the dangerous presence of God is more than worth having. We must come to Him through Christ, Who atones for us and cleanses and consecrates us. But we must come to Him! He is all joy and blessedness. “Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful” (Hebrews 10:22–23).
When have you had joy in the presence of the Lord? How does your recourse to the gospel rightly respond to the danger of worship? How does your desire to do all, only, as Scripture says, rightly reflect the seriousness of worship? What use are you making, in your conscience, of God’s provision of Christ for your drawing near to Him?
Sample prayer: Lord, thank You for showing us how joyous it is to draw near to You. Forgive us, for when we have not been eager to do so. And, thank You for showing us how dangerous it is to draw near to You according to our own desires, our own ideas, and our own wisdom. Forgive us for when we have been careless about coming to You in these ways. And thank You for showing us how blessed it is to be in Your presence. Grant that we would make full use of Your provision of Christ, to draw near to You in Him, and to be blessed by You in Him, we ask in His Name, AMEN!
Suggested songs: ARP15 “Within Your Tent, Who Will Reside” or TPH406 “Jesus, with Thy Church Abide”
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