Mrs. Grundy. (Tracy City, Tenn.) 1903-1930, 1920-07-29

GOLDEN TExT-Enter into his gates
with thanksgiving, and into his courts
with praise.-Ps. 1904.
! ADDITIONAL MATERIAI-Ex. OSLO
Y: ii Sam. 5:6-25; Heb. e92-lO.
PRIMARY TOPIC-Thanking God
JUNIOR TOPIC-The Ark Of Goa
Brought to Jerusalem.
INTERMEDIATES 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
S0:1).
!. David's Unsuccessful Attempt to
Bring Up the Ark wv. 1-5).
This is an example Of wrong way
of doing right thing. That the ark
Of the Lord of Hosts, the symbol of
Gods presence, should be brought to
the very center Of the nations life was
q decision worthy of all praise. 1t
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 can
not be doubted, but he was hasty and
inconsiderate. God had expressly de-
creed that the Kohathites should bear
the ark upon their shoulders (Num.
Ala, 10; TO; 1879. For them to
place 1t even upon new cart was
positive violation of Gods command
ment. Though David was sincere, his
sincerity did not atone for disobedi-
ence to Gods Word. The dictum that
It matters little what you do, just so
you are honest and sincere, is one Of
the Devils blacklist lies. 1t mattered
much in this ease, and always does.
David cannot be excused on the ground
of ignorance, because he had the OPP
portunity to know. God cannot be
blamed for mans ignorance when he
has given him the law and the ability
to understand 1t.
u. cou indicates His Law and HolI-
ness (vv. 6-9).
The people were very joyful as they
moved on toward Jerusalem with the
ark, but suddenly there was stop to
their jubilant 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 to steady 1t. 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 1t 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 1t with their hands. Since the
ark was Gods dwelling place among
men, they needed to know thatohe was
holy. Gods Judgment was severe, hut
not more so than they deserved. This
awful visitation Of just judgment
struck terror to David Well 1t might,
for he was In the path of disobedience.
The Lords presence has no terror for
those who obey his word.
M. The Ark Of God In the House
Of obed-Ed (vy. 1912.
The presence of Jehovah always
brings blessings. The homes where
God Is welcomed are always blessed.
Obed-Edom was not better personally
han Uzzah and David, but he openly
received the Lord and properly related
himself to him. What had been death
md dread to others was life and bless
ng to him.
w. The Ark Brought to Jerusalem
With Great Joy (vv. 1919.
l. Sacrifices offered after going six
'aces ". 49, David made the start
md when convinced Of Gods approval
re made offerings. These were both
Wnt and peace offerings, typifying
he rehabilitation of the offerers and
heir Thanksgiving q Chron. 16:D.
2. Davids great joy wv. IA, 15). The
e0ple joined him with great shouting
nd with the sound Of the trumpet
8. Michal's criticism ". 16). Even
hough David went to excess In his ex-
ression Of Joy, it was wrong in her to
riticize, for God seems to have sane
oned David's rebuke of her ". 23).
f. The grand celebration tvv. 17-l9).
S a token Of his gratitude to God,
avid generously treated the people.
5. The King Of glory, the Lord Je- /
is Christ coming Psalms "A :7-10). S
This was not the psalm composed by y
avid for the occasion of bringing up f
e ark; that was Psalm 1O5 tsee O
hron. 1917. 1t is strange that such a 9
DIGESTION should have been made. The
Psalm pictures Christ i
the coming and triumphant King. =
/ that time the gates shall open to :
m and the King of glory shall come !,