Todays readings are so long and all over the place, you can find what was read by going here
I am sorry but I haven't caught up since I was ill with the flu. I am more than a week behind and I did do the reading last night but because I am over a week behind it all meant nothing to me really. I was confused and going back and forth didn't assist :P
So nothing insightful from me I am sorry. I haven't been able to keep up like I had hoped.
2 comments:
I hope you're feeling better, Nicole.
Something interesting from the reading is the death of Uzzah. It seems very callous, at first glance, that God would strike him down just for trying to steady the Ark. But, they hadn't consulted God's Word to know what to do.
From The Lutheran Study Bible: "The issue here was obedience to the Mosaic Law concerning the ark. It was to be carried with poles [Ex. 25: 12-15]. It was also a capital offense to touch the ark [Num. 4:15]. Uzzah's instinctive reaction to steady the ark was contrary to the divinely established statues regarding the ark.The lesson would bear fruit when David conformed to divine requirements and later successfully brought the ark to Jerusalem [15: 25-16:6]."
It is also unclear whether Uzzah's family was Levitical and therefore qualified to participate in the movement of the ark. Also, according to the notes, they moved the ark in the manner of the Philistines.
Another note from the application portion of the notes for 2 Sm 5: "Uzzah, despite his good intentions, acts contrary to the Word of God and is struck dead. Handling the ark properly, David humbles himself as he lays aside his royal robes, puts on a priestly garment, and worships before the Lord as the leader of a kingdom of priests. When participating in the things of God -His Word, Sacraments, or Church- how you participate is important. Though God disciplines the irreverent, He remains faithful to bless the humble. Having atoned for our offenses on the cross, Christ will bless the repentant and believing heart."
Here's another commentary on the section about Uzzah and the ark... http://bible.org/seriespage/when-god-rained-david%E2%80%99s-parade-2-samuel-61-23
I've never really liked this story because it seems unfair. In other bible passages we see that it the heart of the law that is the most important (ie Sabbath). But in this case, that doesn't appear to matter. It seems like Uzzah had the best of intentions. He wasn't touching the ark out of mere curiosity - he was trying to save it from breaking.
It seems like he paid the price for everyone because they had forgotten how the ark was to be transported.
It seems arbitrary to me, especially in light of the fact that Saul was never struck dead no matter the evil things he did.
PS - Nicole - don't worry about catching up. Just pick up again wehre we are now.
Post a Comment