The Morgan County press. (Wartburg, Tenn.) 1916-1926, 1920-07-23


ADDITIONAL MATERIAL-Ex. 25:10
%; ii Sam 5:6-25; Heb. 9:2-10.
PRIMARY TOPIC-Shanking God
JUNIOR TOPIC-The Ark of God
Brought to Jerusalem.
INTERMEDIATES 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. 1t represented
Gods throne, the place from which he
communicated his will to the people
through the priest (Ex. % %; Psalms
S0:D.
|. David's Unsuccessful Attempt to
Bring Up the Ark wv. 1-5).
This is an example of d 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
a 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.
4 IA, Is; 7:9; 1879. For them to
place it even upon a new cart was
io1n Of commando
ment Though David was sincere, his
sincerity did not atone for disobed1-
ence to Gods Word. The dictum that
it matters little what you do, just so
Won are honest and sincere, is one OF
the Devils blacklist lies. 1t 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 ne
blamed for mans ignorance when he
has given him the law and the ABILITY
to understand it.
II. God indicates His Law and Holt
ness wv. 6-9).
The people were very joyful as they
moved on toward Jerusalem with the
ark, but suddenly there was a stop to
their iubilant 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 it. This re-
suited in his being stricken with death.
Ignorance does not make a man i'm
ho
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 Tor
those who obey his word.
III. The Ark of God in the House
of obed-Edom wv. 1922.
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 bless
ing to him.
w. The Ark Brought to Jerusalem
With Great Joy wv. 1919.
1. Sacrifices offered after going six
PAGES ". 13). David made the start
and when convinced of Gods approval
he made offerings. These were both
burnt and peace offerings, IMPLYING
the Standardization of the offerers and
their Thanksgiving q Chron. 16:D.
2. David's great joy wv. IA, 15). The
people joined him with great shouting
and with the sound of the trumpet
8. Michal's criticism ". 16). Even
though David went to excess in his ex-
preston of JOY, it was wrong in her to
criticize. for God seems to have sane
toned David's rebuke of her ". 23).
4. The grand celebration wv. 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 24:7-10).
This was not the psalm composed by
David for the occasion of bringing up
the ark; that was Psalm 1O5 (see l
Chron. 16). II is strange that such a
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
him and the King of glory shall come
in.