A Lesson in Reverence and Obedience

In the story of Uzzah, we read that the Ark of the Covenant was returned from the Philistines and it was eventually brought to the house of Abinadab, which was on a hill, and his eldest son, Eleazar, was set apart to care for the Ark (1 Sam 7.1). 

We learn later that Abinadab had two other sons named, Uzzah and Ahio (2 Sam 6.3). The Scriptures are silent about where Abinadab and Eleazar were, perhaps they had passed away, but it was up to his remaining two sons to bring the Ark to David. They drew the cart along with oxen, with Ahio leading the oxen (2 Sam 6.4). When they reached the threshing floor of Nachon, Uzzah reached out to steady the Ark because the oxen nearly upset it (the road was rough) and he touched the Ark, killing him instantly (2 Sam 6.7).

The lesson is clear: If they had followed and “kept” the Torah (the tavnit; pattern; blueprint), this would have never happened. But they may have possibly followed what the Philistines did and Uzzah died. David finally realized what they did wrong and corrected it, following what YHWH said to do, by doing certain things at certain places at certain times by certain people.

In 1 Sam 15.22 it says, “And Samuel said, ‘Has Yahweh as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying the voice of Yahweh? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice and to heed than the fat of rams.'” 

Sadly, this is the problem today with people who think that they can keep the biblical festivals and to ignore what YHWH has said about them. Israel still refuses to listen to YHWH and keeps certain festivals, like Passover, while ignoring the fact that there is no Temple, holy vessels, or functioning priesthood. But Israel hasn’t followed Moses for over two thousand years.

The Book of Deuteronomy will refer to the Temple as the place that YHWH will select to establish His name. When the Torah refers to the Temple as the place where YHWH’s Name will be established, it is a telling statement of the Temple’s purpose: the Temple is a house for YHWH’s Name and symbolizes a public declaration of YHWH’s sovereignty.

That is why Isaiah writes in Isa 33.20, “Look upon Zion (Jerusalem), the city of our appointed feasts.” 

The festivals can only be kept in Jerusalem and the Temple.

Shalom.

[Excerpts from White Feather Ministries]