"...my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts" (Isaiah 55:8-9).
There are many ways to serve god. Some of them give the Catholic religion all their material possessions and think that God is pleased with this. Some serve god by chanting to little wooden boxes and candles. some of them go along with whatever indoctrination, they were first introduced to, which is in turn what their parents' were taught and so forth. "My mom and dad raised me that way." or "its the 'tradition of the elders'". Yet Some of them go along with whatever their seminary or university taught them. While there are still others whom believe that praising God can come through jumping up & down and falling out on the floor.
Unfortunately the God of the whole Bible (also called Jesus) is not so comprising. In Exodus : it states that His name is Jealous.
This principle is most easily illustrated by a story of David. David is called a man after God's own heart, the sweet psalmist, and was even appointed king by God.
In 1Chronicles 13 King David is going to retrieve the Ark of the Covenant. The Ark represents the presence and the judgment of God. Contained in the ark amongst other things were Aaron's rod that budded and the stone tablets the 10 commandments (Hebrews 9:4).
The Ark was originally taken by the Philistines and David went to Kirjathjearim to get it and bring it back.
"And David consulted with the captains of thousands and hundreds, and with every leader...And they carried the ark of God in a new cart out of the house of Abinadab: and Uzza and Ahio drave the cart. And David and all Israel played before God with all their might, and with singing, and with harps, and with psalteries, and with timbrels, and with cymbals, and with trumpets" (1Chronicles 13:1-8).
The situation so-far described reflects stereotypical mega-churches of the modern day. A goal is set and no one checks the scripture to see if the plan will receive blessings of God. Notice the extreme care that was taken in this project. First David consulted the heads of the people. Invited brethren from abroad, priests and Levites. Prepared a New Cart for the Ark to sit on and I'm sure two strong oxen to pull the cart. They played every instrument with all their might before the Lord. Also;
"And when they came unto the threshing-floor of Chidon, Uzza put forth his hand to hold the ark; for the oxen stumbled. And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzza, and he smote him, because he put his hand to the ark: and there he died before God. And David was displeased, because the LORD had made a breach upon Uzza: wherefore that place is called Perez-uzza to this day. And David was afraid of God that day, saying, How shall I bring the ark of God home to me?" (1Chronicles 13:9-12)
Some of the worst things are done with the best intentions. After all this care was taken, and during this big praise and worship session, the oxen stumbles (no big deal right? we all stumble sometimes) and all Uzza did was try to catch it (you don't want something holy that represents The True and Living God to hit the ground). And for this reason God killed him immediately Why?
In a word Ignorance!
If anyone would have checked the Bible about the ordinances how to transport the Ark, they would've seen:
"But thou shalt appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of testimony, and over all the vessels thereof, and over all things that belong to it: they shall bear the tabernacle, and all the vessels thereof; and they shall minister unto it, and shall encamp round about the tabernacle. And when the tabernacle setteth forward, the Levites shall take it down: and when the tabernacle is to be pitched, the Levites shall set it up: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death... The Levites shall pitch round about the tabernacle of testimony, that there be no wrath upon the congregation of the children of Israel: and the Levites shall keep the charge of the tabernacle of testimony" (Numbers 1:47-54).
Only the Levite's are supposed to bear the Ark of the covenant for it pertains to the tabernacle of testimony.
In Chapter 15 David realizes his error, and begins again to retrieve the Ark of the covenant of God.
"And David made him houses in the city of David, and prepared a place for the ark of God, and pitched for it a tent. Then David said, None ought to carry the ark of God but the Levites: for them hath the LORD chosen to carry the ark of God, and to minister unto him for ever" (1Chronicles 15:1-2).
Can you tell the difference when things are done in ignorance vs when things are done with knowledge, wisdom, and understanding? After David called for the sons of Aaron (high priests) and all the Levites, he confessed his sin:
"And David called for Zadok and Abiathar the priests, and for the Levites... And said unto them, Ye are the chief of the fathers of the Levites: sanctify yourselves, both ye and your brethren, that ye may bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel unto the place that I have prepared for it. For because ye did it not at the first, the LORD our God made a breach upon us, for that we sought him not after the due order. So the priests and the Levites sanctified themselves to bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel" (1Chronicles 15:11-14).
And Again;
"There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism; One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all" (Ephesians 4:3-6)
1 Lord, 1 Faith, 1 Baptism, and 1 way to worship God... His Way!
But Why?
So that;
"all things be done decently and in order" (1 Corinthians 14:40)
May the Lord add a blessing to the reading, the hearing, and the understanding of His word... In Jesus name
LOCKSMIF...LLAVES(keys)
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Hey there Lock-smif! Again, you are very thorough! Have a Happy New Year! 2010 is here!
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