Audio Access Available Above
"The Joy And Cost Of God's Presence" • 11.08.15 •
Calvary Christian Fellowship, Sunday Morning Service
Intro
- The Philistines had come up to search for
David, perhaps considering his united Kingdom to be too young to ward off their
established army.
- When God not only instructed Israel, but
involved Himself in the proceedings, Philistia was driven back, no longer to
truly threaten Israel in any concrete way.
- With his Kingdom and his military now firmly
intact, David seeks to establish himself spiritually. He wants to reveal that
the true authority of his Kingdom belongs to God.
- This chapter tells us about David's desire to
bring the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem. Let's take a look at verse 1.
Text
•
II Samuel 6:1,2 : "Again David gathered all the choice
men of Israel, thirty thousand. And David arose and went with all the people who were with him
from Baale Judah to bring up from there the ark of God, whose name is called by
the Name, the Lord of Hosts, who dwells between the
cherubim." : After the victory over the
Philistines, David reassembled 30,000 men to serve as an escort for the ark of
the covenant.
-
David's decision to bring this into the city of Jerusalem was a gesture of his
submission to God's rule over the nation of Israel, as the ark was the
representation of God's throne!
-
The ark stood alone in the Holy Of Holies, but had been displaced for many
years after the Tabernacle had been destroyed by the Philistines in Shiloh.
-
With Jerusalem secured and the Philistines vanquished, Israel now has a secure
place to bring the Ark of God, which was called by "the Name."
-
They were to be impressed simply by the fact that His Name was known, yet not
said. We'll find that God wanted His Name to be set in this place forever.
-
That Name is also the Lord of heaven's hosts or armies! This sacred furnishing belonged
to God Himself and where it went, it stood for His abiding presence!
-
In His actual presence, real angelic beings, Cherubim, wait upon Him and ready
themselves for His order. David had been given the grace to hear those angels
march in the mulberry trees!
-
Now, David wants to formalize God's position over his Kingdom. He wants to express
to the nation that God has the preeminent position in His land.
•
II Samuel 6:3-5 : "So they set the ark of God on a new
cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill; and
Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drove the new cart. And they brought it out of the
house of Abinadab, which was on the hill, accompanying the ark of God; and Ahio
went before the ark. Then David and all the house of Israel played music before the Lord on all kinds of instruments of fir
wood, on harps, on stringed instruments, on tambourines, on sistrums, and on
cymbals." : It may not be immediately obvious,
but this very well intentioned ceremony gets off on the wrong foot. They set
the ark of God on a new cart.
-
This is a bit curious, as handling the ark of God came with a very specific set
of instructions.
-
The tribe of Levi were given charge of the Tabernacle. There were three sons
and three divisions of labor.
-
According to Numbers 3:31, the
furniture within the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies was placed under the
care of the Kohathites.
-
In Numbers 7, the elders of Israel
brought carts and oxen to assist in the work of physically carrying the
Tabernacle's pieces. The tribes of Gershom and Merari were allowed to accept
them.
-
The Kohathites however, were not allowed to use the carts. Numbers 7:9 gives the reason.
•
Numbers 7:9 : "But to the sons of Kohath he gave none, because theirs was the service
of the holy things, which they carried on their shoulders." : With such clear instruction, one might wonder why they had
ignored God's Word?
-
The answer may be related to the last time that the ark had been transported.
-
After capturing the ark at Shiloh, Philistian soon found that it's presence was
far more trouble than it was worth to keep it in their cities.
- Eventually, they
constructed a cart which brought the ark back into Israelite territory and it
came to rest at the house of Abinidab, where it remained, for twenty years. (I Samuel 7:2)
-
"The Philistines were successful in their approach. Why not adopt their methods?"
David has the right intention, but the wrong method!
-
It had "worked" for the Philistines because they were outside of
God's covenant. The world is not held to the standards of righteounsess in the
same way that God's people are.
-
Thus, not being aware of, or agreeable to the terms of God's covenant, their
actions are weighed differently. That isn't the case for those in covenant
relationship to God!
-
When it comes to the presence of God in your life, neither can be sacrificed!
Your right intention must be coupled with your right action! With light comes
responsibility!
-
David selected Uzzah meaning "strength" and Ahio meaning
"brotherhood," to act as the official guardians of the ark. He
believed he had the right method and the right men.
-
All that is left is the music to really set the right mood!
-
David provided the instruments and the musicians to round out this festive
experience, but then came the minor chord.
•
II Samuel 6:6-8 : "And when they came to Nachon’s
threshing floor, Uzzah put out his hand to the ark of God and took hold of it,
for the oxen stumbled. Then the anger of the Lord was aroused against Uzzah, and God struck him there for his
error; and he died there by the ark of God. And David became angry because of
the Lord’s outbreak against Uzzah; and he called the name of the place
Perez Uzzah to this day." : Abinidab's
home was situated on a hill. The cart is traveling downhill on an uneven
surface. As the oxen recovered their footing, the ark had seemed to lose it's
place.
-
Uzzah noting the instability, instinctively put out his hand to stabilize the
ark.
-
Uzzah's motive was pure and it's likely that every person in this room would
have done the same thing and would have been as doomed as he was.
-
Immediately, God's anger was kindled by this action and Uzzah died there right
by the ark.
-
Uzzah, "strength" thought to help God out. Unfortunately, he learned
with his life that God is Holy and He is serious about how He is to be
approached and who can touch His throne!
-
God struck him for his error. What was his error? It may have been his idea to
employ the cart or his idea to give God a hand. Either way, he was responsible
for this situation.
-
God had laid this out clearly for the people that were charged with the service
of the Tabernacle. They were to bear the responsibility for any iniquity
related to it. (Numbers 18:23)
-
Uzzah should have known better and David was angry, incensed about the Lord's
outbreak.
-
That word is picturesque of when invaders broke through a city's defenses with
great violence. This was the effect that God's action had on the proceedings.
-
David had been celebrating with the musicians. Now, he ends the day commemorating
the moment by naming the place "Uzzah's Breach."
•
II Samuel 6:9-12 : "David was afraid of the Lord that day; and he said, 'How can the
ark of the Lord come to me?' So David would not move the ark of the Lord with
him into the City of David; but David took it aside into the house of Obed-Edom
the Gittite. The ark of the Lord remained in the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite
three months. And the Lord blessed Obed-Edom and all his household. Now it was
told King David, saying, 'The Lord has blessed the house of Obed-Edom and all
that belongs to him, because of the ark of God.' So David went and brought up
the ark of God from the house of Obed-Edom to the City of David with gladness." : David learned to revere the Lord that day. It had been a
difficult and painful lesson, but the King had come to a realization that God
was Holy and would only be approached as such.
-
That is the heart behind his question: How can the ark of the Lord come to me?
He still wanted the symbol of God's rule, but knew now that there was something
vital that he missed.
-
If he had come to the ark with this attitude in the first place, things would
have been different. Perhaps that's the word we need to hear today. Let me
begin with reverence and fear before I move!
-
If I am seeking to honor God in an area of my life, let me investigate clearly
what brings pleasrue to Him! David needed time to figure things out.
-
He left the ark in the care of Obed-Edom for three months and discovered that
his house had been blessed! Everything that belonged to him was blessed because
of his care for the ark.
-
Nobody had died and God's hand of blessing had been obvious over the trial
period.
-
The issue wasn't with the ark. It was with the attitudes that surrounded the
ark! Perhaps David was learning that lesson, but when he found it to be a
blessing, he came to get it.
•
II Samuel 6:13-15 : "And so it was, when those bearing the
ark of the Lord had gone six paces, that he
sacrificed oxen and fatted sheep. Then David danced before the Lord with all his might; and David was
wearing a linen ephod. So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the Lord with shouting and with the sound
of the trumpet." : It interesting to compare
the two different occasions. First, notice that there are those that are
bearing the ark this time. No carts were employed the second time.
-
We'll discover in a moment that the right people bore the ark on their
shoulders as they went along from Obed-Edom's home. Note also the absence of
David's 30,000 choice men.
-
The men who are here were not marked by their might, but by God's choice of
them!
-
Third, on this occasion, the ceremony is marked by continual sacrifice.
-
At every 6th pace, David would order a new sacrifice to be performed. Nobody
knows how many steps were taken, but a significant number of animals were
sacrificed all the way.
-
Finally, David participated in the worship ceremony as one of the people. We
find him here wearing a simple linen vest. He wasn't decked out in royal
apparel. He was in with the people!
-
What had happened? For that part of the story turn to I Chronicles 15.
-
Sometime between the first and second attempt, David had taken the necessary
step of investigating what had gone wrong. He shares his conclusions with the
priests.
•
I Chronicles 15:11-15 : "And David called for Zadok and
Abiathar the priests, and for the Levites: for Uriel, Asaiah, Joel, Shemaiah,
Eliel, and Amminadab. He said to them, 'You are the heads of the fathers’
houses of the Levites; sanctify yourselves, you and your brethren, that you may
bring up the ark of the Lord God of Israel to the place I have prepared for it.
For because you did not do it the first time, the Lord our God broke out
against us, because we did not consult Him about the proper order.' So the
priests and the Levites sanctified themselves to bring up the ark of the Lord
God of Israel. And the children of the Levites bore the ark of God on their
shoulders, by its poles, as Moses had commanded according to the word of the
Lord." : David knew now that he had not taken the time
to consult with the Lord about how to bring His ark into Jerusalem! He did not
consult him about the proper order!
-
That decision ended with great mourning. This decision, to consult God and then
to act upon God's prescription, brought great celebration! David danced before
the Lord with all his might!
-
Literally, David whirled about in a circle before the Lord. He showed great
emotion and was very expressive. While this was done publicly, it was done
primarily before the Lord.
-
The word is related to the face or the direct audience of God. His action was
for His pleasure! As we worship, it's fitting to recall that it is primarily
for His pleasure!
-
David did this with all of his might! In other places, the word is conveys a
forceful, bold or determined display. He expended his entire being into his
worship!
-
It should make us stop and think. How much of ourselves are we expending in response
to the Lord's presence in our lives? For David, there was no limit!
-
He danced without any consideration for the watching world, because to him,
only One was watching! That attitude should mark our entire lives!
-
Because it was before the Lord, David removed any hint of royal clothing.There
is no position of superiority among the worshippers.
-
Worship reminds us that we are infinitely small and unworthy compared with the
object of our affection, who is infinitely great and worthy of all of our
praise and adoration!
•
II Samuel 6:16-19 : "Now as the ark of the Lord came into the City of David,
Michal, Saul’s daughter, looked through a window and saw King David leaping and
whirling before the Lord; and she despised him in her heart. So they brought the ark of the Lord, and set it in its place in the
midst of the tabernacle that David had erected for it. Then David offered burnt
offerings and peace offerings before the Lord. And when David had finished offering burnt offerings and peace
offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the Lord of hosts. Then he distributed among all the
people, among the whole multitude of Israel, both the women and the men, to
everyone a loaf of bread, a piece of meat, and a cake of raisins. So all the
people departed, everyone to his house." :
I'm convinced that as they came closer to their destination, David became even
more excited.
-
Not everyone in the city however was caught up in the revelry. Think of what is
happening.
-
The ark of the covenant, the representation of God's throne and authority have
entered the city of David, the city that you live in. That is the attraction
which is causing celebration!
-
Michal can't see any of it! Why? First, she's Saul's daughter! However much she
had once loved David, her heart was far more influenced by her Father.
-
Her Father had no time for spiritual realities and certainly not any trinkets
from the past.
-
He had "real world" influence and power. His were physical, not
spiritual riches and that is what Michal valued. She had learned to love
prestiege and power.
-
We need to be so careful in what we raise our children to value! When she
looked out the window, it might be that she didn't even notice the ark!
-
All she saw was King David leaping and whirling before the Lord, a foolish
sight to her eyes!
-
Michal, being unable to worship the Lord herself, looked upon the chief
worshipper with disgust and contempt for his expression of faith!
-
For David's part, Michal's response took nothing away from the moment. David
had prepared a place, a tent designed to house the ark.
-
Having delivered it, he offered sacrifices and then offered a parting meal to
the participants.
-
Everyone had the chance to eat what amounted to an entire meal, with dessert!
It was a glorious occasion leaving David in an emotional high. And then he went
home! Verse 20.
•
II Samuel 6:20 : "Then David returned to bless his
household. And Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David, and said, 'How
glorious was the king of Israel today, uncovering himself today in the eyes of
the maids of his servants, as one of the base fellows shamelessly uncovers
himself!'" : David is about as joyful as one
could imagine. He comes walking in with a meal and a testimony to share.
-
Before he could put his coat away Michal accosts him verbally with the venomous
sarcasm fitting for a daughter of Saul. Her criticism showed her true roots of
bitterness! The NLT says it best.
•
II Samuel 6:20b (NLT) : "She said in disgust, 'How
distinguished the king of Israel looked today, shamelessly exposing himself to
the servant girls like any vulgar person might do!'" : Michal put all of her value upon image and impression. She only
objects to worship that lowers her husband's royal profile.
•
II Samuel 6:21-23 : "So David said to Michal, 'It was before the Lord, who chose me
instead of your father and all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people
of the Lord, over Israel. Therefore I will play music before the Lord. And I
will be even more undignified than this, and will be humble in my own sight.
But as for the maidservants of whom you have spoken, by them I will be held in
honor.' Therefore Michal the daughter of Saul had no children to the day of her
death." : David just stood there and absorbed
all of his wife's ill intent and answered in a measured way. "I wasn't out
there to impress the servants or you. I was out there for God's pleasure!"
-
Michal had objected to David's worship because she viewed it as beneath a King.
Her Dad would never have done that.
-
She completely misses the point. God didn't want a statesmen. He wanted a
worshipper!
-
God chose David over Saul and over all of his house and in that confidence, David
will keep acting this way and will be even more foolish in his own sight!
-
David isn't saying that he'll seek out some way to abase or abuse himself. He
is merely saying that his actions were simply scratching the surface! There
were greater depths of humiity!
-
His dancing hadn't been a humbling event for him, but he was willing to get to
a place where he was completely humbled before God! Those that understood God's
way would understand!
-
The ladies David had been worshipping with would honor David because they would
know God's power! True worshippers value those who worship truly! Michal would
know nothing of it!
-
Her attitude completely alienated her from David, who did not engage in sexual
relations with her for the rest of her life.
-
Remember that David's request for Michal's return may have been for political
reasons or perhaps to set the record of possible abandonment, straight.
-
If she had conceived a child with David, then there would have been a physical
tie to Saul and an heir that could push his way to the throne. David didn't
want that.
-
She was childless, a physical reality that points to a spiritual reality: Those
who refuse to worship live fruitless lives!
Conclusion
- David, beside being Israel's King, was first
God's worshipper! When it was approached correctly, his worship brought the
symbol of God's presence and authority into the capital city!
- There was joy in every heart and there was a
meal in every home. God was honored! If David did this for a symbolic
representation, how much more should we prepare ourselves?
- We aren't a gold covered box symbolizing
God's rule. We're earthen vessels filled with the treasure of His own Spirit
dwelling within us!
- If we are to be His worshippers, may I
suggest a few items from our text that instruct us toward similar results.
- First, begin every action with a fear or
reverence for God! What does He think? What does He want to happen?
- Second, be informed biblically. Don't
settle for what works for or in the world! There is a biblical standard that
God holds higher than His own Name for His people! (Psalm 138:2)
- Third, be aware that sacrifice is necessary.
Every step toward His destination is a sacrifice of praise, of our own dreams,
of our own reputation for the sake of His glory and will!
- Finally, be ready to be misunderstood by the
World! You live before One audience publically. They won't get it.
They won't applaud you. But the world's applause isn't what we seek!
- Jesus Christ, the perfect David, didn't lead
an article that represented God's presence up the hill near Jersusalem. He held
the article that represented God's Wrath!
- Jesus Christ didn't dance or whirl, but in
obedience He set His eyes on the joy that was set before Him, enduring the
cross and despising the shame.
- Like David, the world despised Him, but those
that have the heart of God, honor and adore Him, for He worshipped His Father
and won salvation for all who would believe!
- His life is worth our life of worship!
No comments:
Post a Comment