The Raymer enterprise., 1920-07-29
LESSON FOR AUGUST /
DAVID BRINGS THE ARK TO JE.
RuSALEM.

LESSON TExT-H Sam. c:l-ls; Ps. u:
'-l0
GOLDEN TEXT-Enter into his gates
with Thanksgiving, and into his courts
with praisc.-Ps. 1904
ADDITIONAL MATERiAL-Ex. 2s:I0
q; II Sam. s:6-25; Heb. s.2-i0.
PRIMARY ToPIC-Thanking God.
JUNIOR TOPIC-The Ark OF God
Brought 10 Jerusalem
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC
what the Ark Meant to Israel.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
Making Religion Central.
The ark was symbol Of the pres
ence Of God In Israel. 1t Represented
Gods throne. the place from which he
communicated his will to the people
through the priest tEx. 25 %; Psalms
S0:D.
!. OavId's Unsuccessful Attempt to
Bring Up the Ark wv. 1-5).
This Is an example Of y wrong way
OF doing right thing. Tint lie x-k
of the Lord Of Hosts, the symbol Of
Gods presence, should be brought to
the very center Of the nations life was
a decision worthy Of all praise. II
surely met Gods approval. David gath.
cred together the representative men
of the nation In order that the move
ment might be national one. That
David was sincere In this measure cam
not be doubted. but he was hasty and
inconsiderate. God had expressly de-
creed that the Kohathltes should hear
the ark upon their shoulders (Num.
4s4. l6: 10; 1879. For them to
place II even upon new cart was a
positive violation Of Gods command
ment Though David was sincere. his
sincerity did not atone for disobe,li-
ence to Gods Word. The dlctum that
1t matters little what you do, jnst so
you are honest and sincere, Is one Of
the Devils blacklist lies. II mattered
much In this case. and always does.
David cannot be excused on the ground
of ignorance, because he had i',e op-
portunity to know. God cannot be
blamed for mans ignorance when he
has given him the law and the ability
TO understand II.
II. God vIndicates His Law and Holi-
ness (vv. 8-9).
The people were very joyful as they
moved on toward Jerusalem with the
ark, bur suddenly there was stop to
their juhilant voices and music. At
some rough place In the road the oxen
stumbled and Uzzah, anxious for the
precious freight on his cart. reached
forth his hand 10 steady It. This re-
suited In his being stricken with death.
Ignorance does not make man i'm
mune from the death which Is in the
touch Of the heavily charged electric
wire; neither does It In the case OF
the violation Of Gods laws. Even
those who were designated by the
Lord to carry the ark were not allowed
to touch II with their hands. Since the
ark was Gods dwelling place among
men, they needed to know that he was
holy. Gods Judgment was severe, but
not more so than they deserved. This
awful visitation Of just Judgment
struck terror to David Well II might,
for he was In the path Of disobedlence.
The Lords presence has no terror for
those who obey his word.
III. The Ark Of God in the House
Of obed- Edom (vv. 1922.
The presence OF Jehovah always
brings blessings. The homes where
God Is welcomed are always blessed.
Obed- -Ed0m was not better personally
than Uzzah and David. but he openly
received the Lord and properly related
himself to him. What had been death
and dread to others was life and bless
ing TO him. ,,..,,s f..
w. The Ark Brought to Jerusalem
With Great Joy wv. 1870.
!. Sacrifices offered after going six
pnces ". 13). David made the start
and when convinced OF Gods approval
he made offerings These were both
burnt and peace offerings. typifying
the self-dedication Of the .offerers and
heir Thanksgiving Il Chron. I6:1).
2. David's great JOY (vv. IA, l5). The
,eople Joined him with great shouting
md with the sound Of the trumpet.
8. Michal's criticism ". 18). Even
though David went to excess In his ex.
pression Of JOY. 1t was wrong In her to
criticize. for God seems 10 have sane
toned David's rebuke Of her ". 23).
4. The grand celebration (vv. l7-19).
.As q token Of his gratitude TO God,
David generously treated the people.
3. The King Of glory, the Lord Je
sus Christ coming (Psalms 24:7-l0).
This was not the psalm composed by
David for the occasion Of bringing up
he ark that was Psalm 1e5 tsee !
1hron. l6). II Is strange that such o
suggestion should have been made. The
rwenty-fourth Psalm pictures Christ
IS the coming and triumphant King.
Il that time the gates shall open TO