Why did Uzzah have to Die

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Why did Uzzah have to Die?

• 2 Samuel 61-10

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Background

• David desired to bring the Ark of the Covenant
  into Jerusalem
• With a great show and many witnesses, the Ark was
  placed on a cart and moved
• On the way, the oxen suddenly stumble
• They stumbled on a threshing floor
• Threshing floors were smooth and hard-packed
  without obstructions
• Uzzah touches the Ark
• Probably thought the Ark might fall
• Uzzah is killed by God
• Why did Uzzah have to die?

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Introduction

• Why did Uzzah have to die?
• Uzzah appears to have had good intentions
• Rom 154
• There must be something to be learned from this
  event
• 1 Cor 1011
• If we learn from others mistakes, then we can
  avoid similar mistakes
• If we cant understand why Uzzah died, then we
  are likely to make the same mistakes

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Gods laws

• Exod 375
• Poles used to carry the Ark
• Num 45-6
• The Ark had to be triple-covered for transport
• Num 415-20
• Aarons family had to cover the objects
• Only Kohaths family allowed to carry
• Even for them. Touching any holy thing required
  death,
• So did looking at the holy things

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Recent Events with the Ark

• God had allowed the Ark to be captured by the
  Philistines (1 Sam 43, 10-11)
• The Philistines learned that having the Ark was a
  dangerous thing
• Idols humiliated and destroyed
• Plague on the cities
• Philistines put Ark on cart to let God decide
  where to take the Ark (1 Sam 67-12)
• These events may have caused Israelites to use a
  cart God allowed it for the Philistines, so it
  must be fine for us

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The best of intentions

• The Israelites knew, or should have known, the
  laws of God
• They could have found out quickly if they didnt
  know
• They had good intentions
• David wanted to honor God
• The people gathered to praise God
• Uzzah just wanted to prevent a mishap

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The best of intentions

• Lessons for today
• Good intentions will NOT justify anyone
• Ignorance of the law is no excuse
• Prov 162
• Man always thinks he is pure
• Prov 1625
• Just because something looks right, does not mean
  it is right
• Man can fool himself into believing he pleases
  God, but God isnt fooled

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Sincerely wrong

• Some people say, It doesnt matter how you
  worship God as long as you are sincere.
• David, the people, and Uzzah were sincere
• Their efforts were not a pretense
• Yet Uzzah died because they were wrong
• God demands obedience
• 1 Sam 1522
• Jer 721-26
• The people thought sacrifice was the most
  important thing, but obedience was

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Sincerely wrong

• Lessons for today
• Some religions teach you can act any way you want
  as long as you confess and do penance
• They are probably sincere
• But they are still wrong
• Some people think they will be fine as long as
  they attend church
• They might be sincere
• But they are still wrong
• John 419-24 Samaritans sincerely wrong
• Col 317 Authority needed

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Why did Uzzah have to die?

• He violated the command of God
• But he wasnt the only one
• David had authorized the method
• David was humiliated before all his people
• David became angry with God
• David became afraid of God
• David learned from the mistake
• 1 Chr 151-5, 12-15
• Things had to be done according to Gods proper
  order, not mans

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Some final lessons

• Our failure to follow Gods commands
• Will result in our own destruction
• May cause the destruction of others
• Could keep someone out of heaven
• Ignoring or being ignorant of Gods commands is
  not going to excuse our sin
• Good intentions and sincerity can not replace
  truth and obedience

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Conclusion

• Uzzah died for his own sins
• His death is recorded so that we dont repeat his
  mistake
• Learn what God has said He wants
• Dont assume you know what He wants
• Once you know, then be obedient

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