A Lesson in Holiness
II Samuel 6

I. The Ark

1.      Its significance

Numbers 10:35-36

(a)    Underscores Yahweh's rulership; I Chronicles 28:2 "footstool of our God"

(b)   Speaks of Yahweh's reconciliation - Leviticus 16:14-15

(c)    Emphasizes Yahweh's revelation - stone tablets of covenant commandments Exodus 25:16,21; Deuteronomy 10:1-5, verse 2 "called by the Name, the very name..."

(d)   Served as a place of Yahweh's direction - e.g. Moses before Ark in Exodus 25:22 "There I will meet with you."

2.      Its centrality

As Yahweh's presence was represented it "must be central focus and reality of the Davidic Kingdom" (Davis 62).  Great contrast in chapters 5 and 6.  Quote Davis 62-63.

3.      Its fulfillment

In Jesus Christ as Prophet (revelation), Priest (reconciliation), King (rulership).  Colossians 2:9 ...in Christ all the fullness of deity lives bodily.

 

II. The Intention

1.      Ark was for all the nation v. 3

v. 2 "all the people" not just "house of Abinadab" as for the past 20 years.

2.      Obedience matters

God had given instructions on carrying the ark (Numbers 4:4-6, 15,17-20; 7:9).  "Sincerity and enthusiasm were not enough" (Baldwin 209).  "No touch, no look, no cart" (Davis 64).  Repetition of "new cart" in v. 3.  Contrast in Hebrew with 5:20 and 6:8 and word "break through."  God is not to be trifled with whether pagan or believer.  David was guilty for Uzziah's death.  The priests were guilty for not practicing what they knew to be God's instructions. 

3.      God is to be feared

David's anger was misplaced (v. 8), but his fear was appropriate.  We face danger of the Lord becoming commonplace to us.  In "hallowed be thy name" it is implied "the need to pay careful attention lest privilege becomes presumption" (Baldwin 208).

 

III. The Return

1.      Fear and joy are partners

"a fearful sense of God's holiness does not suppress joy but stimulates it" (Davis 66).  Psalm 2:11 "Rejoice with trembling!"

 

2.      Celebration is due before the Lord's presence

vv. 13-15, 17-19 - neither morbidity nor festivity equates to worship.

 

3.      Humility marks God's servants

A revelation of God ultimately brings humility.  David cast aside his royal robes for the priestly linen ephod v. 14.  But Michal despised such humility in favor of kingly aloofness, decorum and pomp.  Quote Davis 67 fn#10 John Hercus description.  "She preferred the 'brave warrior' image to that of the humble, worshiping king, stripped of all his royal regalia, and, as she saw it, uncovering himself, or maybe 'showing off'" (Baldwin 210).

      David affirms:  "It was not performance for people but worship for Yahweh" that mattered (Davis 68).  "There are, doubtless, times to be calm and times to be enthusiastic, but can it be right to give all our coldness to Christ and all our enthusiasm to the world?" (W. G. Blaikie quoted in Davis 68).

Permissions: You are permitted and encouraged to reproduce and distribute this material in any format provided that you do not alter the wording in any way and you do not charge a fee beyond the cost of reproduction. For web posting, a link to this document on our website is preferred. Any exceptions to the above must be explicitly approved by South Woods Baptist Church.

Please include the following statement on any distributed copy:

Copyright South Woods Baptist Church. Website: www.southwoodsbc.org. Used by permission as granted on web site. Questions, comments, and suggestions about our site can be sent here.