Cleveland County herald., 1920-07-29
IMPROVED CNrF0RM INTERNATIONAL S''lJNIlNyS(IlO()L
 LESSON C.y REV. F. B. FlTZWATER, D. D.. Teacher of English Bible in the Moody Bible Institute of Chicago) Copyright. 1920. Western Newspaper Union
LESSON FOR AUGUST 1
DAVID BRINGS THE ARK TO JE-
 RUSALEM.

LESSON TEXT-II Sam. 6:1-is; Ps. 24: 7-10
 GOLDEN TEXT-Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise.-Ps. 100:4.
 ADDITIONAL MATERIAI-Ex. 25:10, 22; II Sam. 5:6-25; Heb 9:2-10
 PRIMARY TOPIC-Thanking God.
 JUNIOR TOPIC-The Ark of God Brought to Jerusalem.
 INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC What the Ark Meant to Israel
 YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC Making Religion Central
 The ark was a symbol of the pres ence of God in Israel. It represented Gods throne, the place from which he communicated his will to the people through the priest (Ex. % :22; PsalIas 30:D.
 l. David's Unsuccessful Attempt to Bring Up the Ark (vv. 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. It surely met Gods approval. David gath cred together the representative men of the nation in order that the move ment might be a 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 Kohath4tes should bear the ark upon their shoulders (Num ALA, 15; 7:9; 18:3), 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 disobedt- 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 blackest lies. It mattered much in this case, and always does. David cannot be excused on the ground of ignorance, because he had the op- portunity to know. God cannot be blamed for mans ignorance when he has given him the law and the ability to understand it.
 II. God Vindcates His Law and tloli- ness (vy. 6-9).
 The people were very joyful as they moved on toward Jerusalem with the ark, but suddenly there was a stop to their jubiant voices and music. At some rough place in the road the oxen stumbled and UZzah, anxious for the 1 precious freight on his cart, reached forth his hand to 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 it 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 it might, for he was in the path of disobedience. The Lords presence has no terror for those who obey his word.
 III. The Ark of God in the House of Obed-Edom (vv. 1O-12).
 The presence of Jehovah always brings blessings. The homes where God is welcomed are always blessed. Obed-Edom 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 Mess ing to him.
 w. The Ark Brought to Jerusalem With Great Joy (vv. 13-19).
 l. Sacrifices offered after going six paces (v. 13). David made the start and when convinced of Gods approval he made offerings. These were both burnt and peace offerings, typifying the self-dedcation of the offerers and their thanskgiving q Chron. 16:D.
 ?. David's great joy (vv. 14, 15). The people joined him with great shouting and with the sound of the trumpet.
 8. Michal's criticism (v. 16). Even though David went to excess in his ex- pression of joy, it was wrong in her to criticize, for God seems to have sAnc- toned David's rebuke of her (v. 23).
 4. The grand celebration (vv 17-19. As a token of his gratitude to God, David generously treated the people.
 5. The King of glory, the Lord Je- sus Christ coming (Psalms 24 4:710).
 This was not the psalm composed by David for the occasion of bringing up the ark that was Psalm 105 (see l Chron. 16). It is strange that such suggestion should have been made. The Twenty-fourth Psalm pictures Christ as the coming and triumphant King. At that time the gates shall open to l,... a,.d 4ho of glory Suall come