October 21, 2022 The Sacred is Meant For Life

“When they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah reached out his hand to the ark of God and took hold of it, for the oxen shook it. The anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzzah; and God struck him there because he reached out his hand to the ark; and he died there beside the ark of God.” 2 Samuel 6:6-7

“The biblical text is not clear about the exact nature of the accident that led Uzzah to touch the ark. The text suggests that something happened to the oxen. Perhaps they stumbled or became unyoked (the meaning of the Hebrew term shamat is uncertain)-and apparently the ark moved. Uzzah immediately reached out and took hold of the ark. God reacted, striking down Uzzah, and he died. The text gives a reason for God’s drastic action: “The Lord’s anger burned against Uzzah because of his irreverent act” (verse 7). The Hebrew noun translated “irreverent act” (shal) appears only here in the Old Testament; its exact meaning is unknown. This has caused some scholars to argue that we probably have here a textual corruption. They prefer to follow the reason given in the parallel narrative in 1 Chronicles 13:10, that “he had put his hand on the ark.” Based on comparative linguistics, scholars have suggested that the Hebrew noun shal expresses the ideas of disdain, impudence, and slander. In the context it indicates that Uzzah showed disrespect to God by improperly handling a symbol of His holy presence.” ( https://www.adventistbiblicalresearch.org)

There are the stories that we hear as Seminarians about dropping chalices of wine during communion or dropping bread on the floor while distributing the “body of Christ”. It is one of the biggest fears I have in handling the elements during Holy Communion, but it is going to happen once in a while. Thank goodness G-d will not strike me dead if in fact this kind of accident takes place.

We read the story of poor Uzzah who simply tried to keep the ark of the covenant from toppling over, and we are shocked by the reaction from G-d. But G-d made a distinct separation between the Holy and the Profane — the sacred and the secular — and poor Uzzah crossed the line.

Today, the sacred is meant for life — not for death. We need to remember that there are things that are sacred to G-d and therefore need to be treated with utmost respect. The sacred leads to eternal life — things like G-d’s Word, the sacraments of Holy Communion and Baptism. No longer does G-d smite those who mistreat the sacred (at least we hope) but we still need to teach that the sacred is devoted to G-d, and therefore needs to be treated with reverence.

Let us pray,

Lord Jesus, help me to keep your sacredness in my actions, in my thoughts, in my words, and in my prayers. Amen.

Pastor Dave