信仰の手引き（英語・English）
Uzzah and Obed-Edom
投稿者
goodnews2
投稿日
2023-08-12 12:30
閲覧数
93
Uzzah Took Hold of the Ark of God
2 Samuel chapter 6 in the Bible tells the story of Uzzah and Obed-Edom. When Israel was at war
with the Philistines, the ark of God was captured. However, when the Philistines saw the ark of God, they were afraid and sent it back, and it stayed in the house of Abinadab, who lived in the mountains, for many years. Then, when David became king, he decided to bring the ark of God to the city of David. People began to make a new cart for the ark of God and have oxen pull it. Uzzah and Ahio, two sons of Abinadab, had prepared diligently and drove the cart. Ahio led the cart in front of the ark, and David and the house of Israel rejoiced in bringing back the ark of God and played before the LORD on all manner of instruments such as harps and psalteries.
As the cart reached Nagon’s threshingfloor, the oxen suddenly jumped and shook the cart. Uzzah quickly took hold of the ark of God. Upon seeing this, God was so angry that He struck Uzzah. He died on the spot. What did Uzzah do wrong?
The Fault of Uzzah
According to the Bible, the ark of God was designated to be carried and moved only by the priest. But the people forgot the Word of God and made a new cart following their own thoughts.
And it seems that Uzzah and Ahio were excited to be doing the important work of moving the ark of God and seeing the people singing, dancing, and rejoicing. So, they might have held the reins of the oxen loosely. If they had held them tightly and securely, they might have been able to quickly settle the oxen when they jumped. But because they might have held the reins loosely and saw that the ark was about to fall, Uzzah quickly took hold of it. He was trying to be the protector for the ark of God and save it. That was creating a situation for people to think, “Oh dear, if it wasn’t for Uzzah, the ark of God would have been destroyed. Uzzah saved it.” The ark represents God; He is self-existent and does not depend on human help. It is absurd to say that humans can take hold of God and help Him.
The Difference Between Uzzah and Obed-Edom
David was afraid when he saw Uzzah die. He had the ark of God carried to the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite, instead of taking it into the city of David. Hence, the ark of God stayed in the house of Obed-Edom for three months, and God blessed all his household. There is no record in the Bible of what Obed-Edom had done for the ark. He only accepted and served the ark in his house, and all his household had been blessed. On the other hand, Uzzah’s household also served the ark of God, but they had no idea about how to handle it. They were not interested in God’s will. That is why they put the ark on a cart and had oxen pull it rather than carrying it, and when the ark shook, Uzzah took hold of it.
We Are Obed-Edom of This Age
We are also people like Obed-Edom of this age. We can see God working for us when we accept Him into our hearts and know His will to work for us. Just as Obed-Edom was not blessed by doing something well, or serving the ark of God well, we do not have to do anything for God except to only believe in Him who wishes to work for us.
I encountered many difficult situations in my life as I evangelized. But I saw God helping me, blessing me, and bestowing grace upon me every time. I have never been alone in difficulties. God was always with me, leading and guiding me. It does not matter if I am inferior or inadequate, or if I make mistakes or do wrong because God is with me. That is God’s grace.
When God Holds Us and Protects Us
Eating, studying, and staying healthy; all that we do today is God’s grace. No one knows what will happen tomorrow. Therefore, it is wrong to say that we protect ourselves, and it is even more ridiculous to say that we are for God. Humans cannot be for God; He is the one who exists for us.
We must know exactly when our lives are the safest, when we are the most blessed, and when we are the most glorious. We might be able to live a little better, study a little better, and enjoy a little more leisure if we work hard. But it is much safer for God to work for us than for us to struggle for our lives. We can only enjoy the safest and most priceless blessing when we are in Jesus, when we are in God’s grace, and when God holds us and protects us. Whether at home or at school, you can see that God helps you, guides you, and protects you when you live with such a heart.
Uzzah was killed when he tried to ‘protect’ God. Obed-Edom was blessed just by attending to God. We will also become the happiest people when we have the heart, ‘God, you dwell within me because I was born again by receiving the forgiveness of sins through the blood of Jesus. I entrust my life to you because there is no one who will protect me as well as you, Lord.’
