Uzzah, the man of God who was only trying to save the Ark from damage...is killed...by God for steadying the ark as it was being transported. Whether a bump in the road or an indifferent ox, the load was about to take tumble. See II Samuel 6.
Uzzah was merely helping....he thought.
This story is a struggle for my Western mind to grasp. Yet, it finds its place in scripture because God surely wanted it known by all readers. So what shall we note? Mine would be surface observations; but consider them if you like.
It would seem that a clear matter is that man, from his good intentions, wants to help God out when He is in a bind. The problem with that is God isn't in a bind. He knows how to carry out His procedures.
It takes a great deal of faith to let God. We can actually stifle His Spirit. We are that strong (and weak). God knows how to keep the Ark from falling. We are called to abide by His Word and His Promises. He can do this!
It has been human nature, in the name of efficient responsibility, to pitch in. We criticize those who seem indifferent or even lazy for just standing by. Yet in the kingdom, we must leave the God-matters to God.
Uzzah had lost confidence in God. It doesn't seem he thought he was the big-shot. He just didn't think the Ark was going to survive and his input was emergencially needed. It wasn't. God was still able.
Francis Schaeffer referenced, This danger often comes in organizational and financial emergencies, when it would seem for a moment that the glory of God is jeopardized. He continues with a remarkable observation which we still need as we do our best--from a mistaken natural man perspective--to set things in working motion.
We tend to think of Christ building his invisible Church, and our building the visible Church. We tend to think in this kind of dichotomy. So our building the visible Church becomes like any natural business function, using natural means and natural moves.
I believe as long as we are us we will be in need of perpetual reminder to restrain our senses of what will work and what won't. There will of necessity always be the challenge to lead by the Spirit and not by man's self-assumed better judgment.
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