Ready the Remnant
For a couple of weeks now, the story of Uzza has been on my mind. In 1 Chronicles 13, we read about how David was ready to bring the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. He goes to Kirjath Jearim, puts the Ark on a brand new cart driven by oxen, and heads off down the road to Jerusalem while playing music. The procession reaches the threshing floor of Chidon and the oxen stumble on the road. In an act of good intention, Uzza puts his hand against the Ark to keep it from falling off the cart or moving. Within mere seconds, the Lord strikes Uzza dead. Why? It is something that many people, including myself, have pondered when reading this passage. Even King David angrily asked the Lord why, and Scripture says that he became afraid of the Lord - refusing to carry the Ark into Jerusalem at that time. Instead, David commanded the household of Obed-Edom which was nearby, to house the Ark of the Covenant. I imagine they were scared too, having probably witnessed the events of the procession depe...