2Sam. 6:6-7

• Messages sorted by: [ date ][ thread ][ subject ][ author ]

  As many of you have probably noticed, a number of different passages and
issues are being discussed under the headings, “prophecy” and “the book of
Jonah”. In addition, I have come to realize that the number of antecedent
theological and philosophical issues which must be dealt with before one
can put forth a robust defense of inerrancy are far to great for one or
even a number of people to successfully discuss and defend in a setting
such as this. Still, for what it's worth I have decided to put forth a
defense of the view that 2Sam 6:6-7 does not militate against the belief
that God is compassionate and slow to anger. To keep things more organized
and conducive to discussion, I have decided to post individual responses
under separate headings according to their subject. My hope is that we can
come to some sort of agreement regarding factual matters which will in
turn clarify interpretive issues.


                                    Sincerely,
                                          Jeff Wisdom



   Regarding Uzzah:
    -Uzzah son of Abinadab (2 Sam. 6:3) was a Levite (1 Sam 7:1).
    -Abinadab was in charge of the Ark for 20 years (1 Sam 7:1-2)
    -The Kohathite clan of Levites were responsible for, among other
things, the Ark of the Covenant (Num. 4:27-32). Thus, Abinadab (and thus
Uzzah) was probably a Kohathite.
    -As a Kohathite, Uzzah was trained from his youth to handle the Ark.
    -Thus, he knew that the Ark was to be carried by Levites via poles
inserted through the Ark’s four rings (Ex. 37:1-9, cf Num. 4:15).
    -Uzzah also knew that if a person touched the Ark, they would die
(Num. 4:15).


   Regarding 2 Sam. 6:6-7
    -The Ark was being transported on a cart pulled by oxen (2 Sam 6:3);
the same way the Philistines had carried it (1 Sam 6:7-11).
    -The Israelites (especially Uzzah) knew this was wrong and were thus
willfully sinning against God.
    -The oxen stumbled, causing the Ark to begin sliding off the cart.
    -Uzzah reached out and grabbed the Ark
    -The Lord struck down Uzzah for touching the Ark.
    -Uzzah (and only Uzzah) died because of this incident.


   As Mr. Livingston pointed out earlier, the Israelites had been sinning
against God for quite some time before the oxen stumbled, yet God did not
strike anyone down. Thus, one can reasonably maintain that that God was
patient with the Israelites and thus slow to become angry. Furthermore,
the only one punished in this incident was Uzzah, and that for his own sin
(2 Sam. 6:7). That no one else was punished despite the fact that all were
accomplices seems to indicate that God is compassionate; a view which is
further supported in that Uzzah’s death undoubtedly served as a
preventative measure against future Israelites touching the Ark and
incurring the same penalty. Thus, it is reasonable to believe that the
events mentioned in 2 Sam. 6:6-7 are not incompatible with the view that
God is compassionate and slow to anger.

 Finally, one may object that death was too harsh a penalty for Uzzah.
However, they forget that God is holy (i.e. separate from humans and free
from sin)(see, e.g., Lev. 11:44). Apparently, sinful man cannot dwell in
the presence of a holy God without dying. ( Note: the Israelites
apparently feared this very thing in Ex. 19:20-24, cf Ex. 20:18-19).
Therefore, when Uzzah touched the Ark, he was coming into contact with a
holy God; thus, he died.




--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Why is College Club the largest and fastest growing college student site?
Find out for yourself at http://www.collegeclub.com

• Previous message: Does God Kill Babies (QUESTIONS) (2)
• Next message: 2Sam. 6:6-7
• Messages sorted by: [ date ][ thread ][ subject ][ author ]