Why did Uzzah have to Die

1. Why did Uzzah have to Die? 2 Samuel 6:1-10

2. Background David desired to bring the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem With a great show and many witnesses, the Ark was placed on a cart and moved On the way, the oxen suddenly stumble They stumbled on a threshing floor Threshing floors were smooth and hard-packed without obstructions Uzzah touches the Ark Probably thought the Ark might fall Uzzah is killed by God Why did Uzzah have to die?

3. Introduction Why did Uzzah have to die? Uzzah appears to have had good intentions Rom 15:4 There must be something to be learned from this event 1 Cor 10:11 If we learn from other�s mistakes, then we can avoid similar mistakes If we can�t understand why Uzzah died, then we are likely to make the same mistakes

4. God�s laws Exod 37:5 Poles used to carry the Ark Num 4:5-6 The Ark had to be triple-covered for transport Num 4:15-20 Aaron�s family had to cover the objects Only Kohath�s family allowed to carry Even for them. Touching any holy thing required death, So did looking at the holy things

5. Recent Events with the Ark God had allowed the Ark to be captured by the Philistines (1 Sam 4:3, 10-11) The Philistines learned that having the Ark was a dangerous thing Idols humiliated and destroyed Plague on the cities Philistines put Ark on cart to let God decide where to take the Ark (1 Sam 6:7-12) These events may have caused Israelites to use a cart: �God allowed it for the Philistines, so it must be fine for us�

6. The best of intentions The Israelites knew, or should have known, the laws of God They could have found out quickly if they didn�t know They had good intentions David wanted to honor God The people gathered to praise God Uzzah just wanted to prevent a mishap

7. The best of intentions Lessons for today Good intentions will NOT justify anyone Ignorance of the law is no excuse Prov 16:2 Man always thinks he is pure Prov 16:25 Just because something looks right, does not mean it is right Man can fool himself into believing he pleases God, but God isn�t fooled

8. Sincerely wrong Some people say, �It doesn�t matter how you worship God as long as you are sincere.� David, the people, and Uzzah were sincere Their efforts were not a pretense Yet Uzzah died because they were wrong God demands obedience 1 Sam 15:22 Jer 7:21-26 The people thought sacrifice was the most important thing, but obedience was

9. Sincerely wrong Lessons for today Some religions teach you can act any way you want as long as you confess and do penance They are probably sincere But they are still wrong Some people think they will be fine as long as they attend church They might be sincere But they are still wrong John 4:19-24 � Samaritans sincerely wrong Col 3:17 � Authority needed

10. Why did Uzzah have to die? He violated the command of God But he wasn�t the only one David had authorized the method David was humiliated before all his people David became angry with God David became afraid of God David learned from the mistake 1 Chr 15:1-5, 12-15 Things had to be done according to God�s proper order, not man�s

11. Some final lessons Our failure to follow God�s commands Will result in our own destruction May cause the destruction of others Could keep someone out of heaven Ignoring or being ignorant of God�s commands is not going to excuse our sin Good intentions and sincerity can not replace truth and obedience

12. Conclusion Uzzah died for his own sins His death is recorded so that we don�t repeat his mistake Learn what God has said He wants Don�t assume you know what He wants Once you know, then be obedient