The question:
Were only priests or members of the Levi tribes allowed to touch the ark of the Lord? Is that why Uzzah died in 2 Samuel 6? Or did he die because of some unknown sin in his life?
The Answer:
When it comes to transportation of the ark of the Covenant, only those in tribes of Levi and specially those of Kohath descendents were tasked with this duty. It is important that when we read the Old Testament narrative (which 2 Samuel 6 is), we need to have the Mosaic Law informs us as to what God wants His people to do. If we approach 2 Samuel 6 with Numbers 4 informing us of how God wants His ark to be transported, we see that in 2 Samuel 6 they were disobedient with the way God wants His ark transported. They are to cover the ark with a veil and apparently this point was important enough that the author repeats it three times (4:5,4:6a, 4:15a). Numbers 4:15 makes it clear that what happen in 2 Samuel 6 should not have been a surprise for the people, since Numbers 4:15 explains that the reason why the ark was covered was so that they would not touch the ark physically, lest they die. In contrast to the situation in 2 Samuel 6 where the ark was transported on a cart pulled by animals, Numbers 4:15 mandated that the sons of Kohath were to be the ones carrying the ark; the question would be, how do they do so without touching the ark? Numbers 4:6 mention that they are to “insert its poles,” suggesting the means was by inserting poles into holes in the Ark and thereby the sons of Kohath are to physically carry it by means of the poles. I think if we remember Numbers 4, it shows that the incident in 2 Samuel 6 should not have suprised the Jewish readers. I think there are lessons for us today that are still timely: If worship is really about God, we should worship Him the way He wants to be worshiped, and just because a way of worship appears to be popular does not mean all is okay if it goes against God’s requirement. Sobering.
The Domain for Truth 
Amen!
=)
Great post. The Israelites were already transporting the ark in a manner contrary to God’s instructions, so why the surprise that Uzzah was stricken?
That’s my thought exactly when I understood the importance of Numbers 4 as antecedent theology informing us about 2 Samuel 6 as not something totally arbitrary and unexpected.
Thanks, SLIMJIM.
Indeed, it is sobering. It should cause us all the more to be reverential and fearful towards God.
Indeed. I can’t help but to think of the implication of this for our contemporary Evangelical worship scene in the west…
Grammar Error: “I think there are lessons for us today that is still timely” should read “lessons for us today that ARE still timely.”
I’ll send you the bill. 🙂
Thank you for the correction sir! I have very bad grammar, and I appreciated the observation.
🙂
uggh
Oh?
[…] Why did God kill Uzzah in 2 Samuel 6? […]
great post,some people think God was too hard in the old testament not knowing that its all about God being so serious about His ways. God’s way of doing things is what must really mata to us on this lesson
uzzah was a levite right and he knew that touching the ark will cause his but he still did it.lets take it this way, imagine if the ark has fallen what will the other nations say because the ark was a representation of God in their mixed. and there was no way the ark could have suspended if so then why did they have to carry it during transportation. although there have been many critics of uzzah disobedience but lets take it this way, uzzah knew and considered his life to worthy but to serve or for the service of God,s work even though his action will lead to his death, he still didn’t withhold that back from sacrificing his life. Just imagine what the other nations would have said if the ark has fallen,”The God of isarael has fallen right”. That’s exactly what they would say and that would have been a big shame