Read 1 Chronicles 13.
The Ark of the Covenant had been captured by the Philistines in a battle with King Saul. Now, King David organized a national celebration of unity that would include the return of the Ark to Jerusalem. That beautiful gold covered box contained the tablets of law given to Moses, Aaron's rod that budded, and a jar of manna. Over it were two Cherubs with their wings spread. Here once a year the high priest would sprinkle the sacrificial blood for atonement for sin. Evidently, this had not been done for a quite a while during Saul's reign.
While returning the Ark was a noble and right decision, they immediately failed to obey the Mosaic Laws concerning how to transport the Ark. They thought they were doing a good thing by constructing a brand new cart for it. That is what the Philistines had done in sending it back across the border. But the law is clear in Exodus 25:13-14 that the Ark was to be carried by the Levites on poles that went through the rings built into the sides of the Ark.
What a sight this must have been! The parade of instruments playing and people dancing, led by the king himself. But all of a sudden a man was killed and the procession stopped. David instantly became angry at God. They entrusted the Ark to a local farmer, Obed-edom, for the next three months. The walk home must have been a sad and confusing time for everyone.
David got over his anger when he understood what he did wrong (1 Chronicles 15:13) and confessed this.
God is not impressed with just a lot of nice, human activity even for a good cause. The standard for life is not if it feels right to us. He wants obedience to His word above all. Failure to do so is costly.
Know what God has said in His word.
Embrace what God has said.
Do what God has said.
Then the let the celebration begin!
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