Several years ago a young Frenchman captured the attention of the world by walking a tightrope between the towers of New York's World Trade Center (1350 feet high). A few months later, however, while practicing on a relatively low wire in St. Petersburg, Florida, he fell 30 feet and was injured. As he lay waiting for help, he reportedly beat his fist on the ground saying, "I can't believe it! I can't believe it! I never fall!"
The story of Uzzah and the Ark of the Covenant is mentioned in (2 Samuel 6:1-7; 1 Chronicles 13:9-12). As the ark was being transported, the oxen pulling the cart stumbled, and a Levite named Uzzah took hold of the ark. God’s anger burned against Uzzah and He struck him down and he died. Uzzah’s punishment does appear to be extreme for what we might consider to be a good deed.
However, these are the reasons why God took such severe action:
God had given Moses and Aaron specific instructions about the Tent of Meeting and the movement of the Ark of the Covenant (Exodus 25:12-14; Numbers 4:15, 7:9). It was supposed to be carried on poles by Levites only.
The ark had stayed for a period of time at Abinadab’s house (2 Samuel 6:3), where his sons, Uzzah and Ahio, may well have become accustomed to its presence. There’s an old saying, “familiarity breeds contempt,” that could apply in this case. Uzzah, having been around the ark in his own home, could very likely forget the holiness that it represented. There are times when we, too, fail to recognize the holiness of God, becoming too familiar with Him with an irreverent attitude.
The account tells us the oxen stumbled, the cart didn’t fall and neither did the Ark. Uzzah, for a moment, felt it was his responsibility to save the integrity of God, and that our almighty God somehow needed Uzzah’s assistance. He presumed that, without his intervention, God’s presence would be dealt with a blow. Let Familiarity bring reverence.
However, these are the reasons why God took such severe action:
God had given Moses and Aaron specific instructions about the Tent of Meeting and the movement of the Ark of the Covenant (Exodus 25:12-14; Numbers 4:15, 7:9). It was supposed to be carried on poles by Levites only.
The ark had stayed for a period of time at Abinadab’s house (2 Samuel 6:3), where his sons, Uzzah and Ahio, may well have become accustomed to its presence. There’s an old saying, “familiarity breeds contempt,” that could apply in this case. Uzzah, having been around the ark in his own home, could very likely forget the holiness that it represented. There are times when we, too, fail to recognize the holiness of God, becoming too familiar with Him with an irreverent attitude.
The account tells us the oxen stumbled, the cart didn’t fall and neither did the Ark. Uzzah, for a moment, felt it was his responsibility to save the integrity of God, and that our almighty God somehow needed Uzzah’s assistance. He presumed that, without his intervention, God’s presence would be dealt with a blow. Let Familiarity bring reverence.
Excerpt from Bro. Samuel V Thomas’ notes for the sermon in Crossway on Sunday, 25th Feb 2018.
Stanley Thomas Isac
Stanley is serving as the Pastor of Crossway Church in New Delhi, he can be reached at Pastorstanleytisac@gmail.com 
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