Journal Through the Bible: Week 89 Saturday

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I Chronicles chapter 13

David envisioned bringing the Ark of the Covenant from Kirjathjearim to Jerusalem so he consulted his captains and the congregation about this proposal. Unfortunately, he forgot to consult God's Word. David had the right idea but he went about it in the wrong way. It was a fatal error that cost a man named Uzza his life.

Does God issue any commands?

• God did not speak in this chapter, but He killed Uzza for touching the Ark as the oxen stumbled that pulled the cart upon which it was riding. The Ark remained in a nearby house for 3 months. God had given specific commands in the Law concerning the moving of the Ark. David failed to follow those commands.

Does God make any promises?

• God made no promises in this chapter, but God blessed Obededom the Gittite and his family for providing shelter for the Ark during those 3 months. Obviously this family treated the Ark with the utmost respect and reverenced it according to God's Law.

Does this chapter teach anything about Jesus?

• The Ark of the Covenant is a symbol of Jesus and His redemptive work. Although salvation through Jesus is not by works, it is through God's work and He provides the means for attaining forgiveness of sins. This is repentance of our sin and trust in the atoning grace found only in the blood of Jesus Christ through which God provides the sinner mercy. As Jesus said, "I am the Way" and not one way. Salvation can be achieved but only according to God's plans and not according to a way that we devise by our own desires. It must be done in God's way or not at all. Jesus did it God's way. We are to accept God's way of salvation and not seek to attain it in our own way. Man's way always leads to death.

Does this chapter teach anything about yet-future events?

• New Jerusalem is the desired eternal resting place. We can only rest there (which means being free from sin and all of its effects) if we follow God's plan for moving! Many wish to go there but few wish to humble themselves through repentance of their sins and submit themselves to Jesus. Those who relocate to the New Jerusalem will be there because they followed God's plan of salvation through Jesus Christ which is pictured by the Ark of the Covenant and its mercy seat between the Cherubim.