The Ark is Brought to Jerusalem

 

COLERAINE EVANGELICAL CHURCH

SERMON NOTES FROM SUNDAY 15 JUNE 2025 – MR JASON CRUISE

2 SAMUEL 6 VERSES 1 TO 12

The events that we read today took place 1000 years before the birth of the Lord Jesus, 450 years after Bezalel constructed the Ark of God. On Mount Sinai Moses received the 10 commandments as well as instructions on constructing the tabernacle and all its furniture. The furniture consisted of the brazen altar, the laver, the Menorah, the table of showbread, the ark of the covenant, the altar of incense. The ark of the covenant sat in the Holy of Holies and the priest was only allowed to go in one day in the year, the day of Atonement. There the blood was shed on the mercy seat 7 times. The Children of Israel were making their way to the Promised Land through the wilderness. They were guided by a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. As they made their way the Levites carried on their shoulders the Ark of the Lord. They would go in front with the Children of Israel following. When the Children of Israel entered the Promised Land the Ark of God was brought to Shiloh. In 1 Samuel 4 the Children of Israel battled with the Philistines. They sent for the Ark of God to be brought to the camp at Ebenezer.  “Let us fetch the ark of the covenant of the Lord out of Shiloh unto us, that, when it cometh among us, it may save us out of the hand of our enemies.” The Lord allows them to be defeated. The Philistines overcame the Children of Israel because of the disobedience of Hophni and Phinehas, Eli’s sons. A man came from the camp to Shiloh and met Eli who asked how the battle went. Eli was told his 2 sons were dead, killed in battle and that the Ark of God had been taken. Eli, when he heard that word falls back and broke his neck. Phinehas’ wife bears a child who she calls Ichabod meaning the glory of the Lord has departed from Israel. When the Philistines took the Ark of God they put it into the house of their god, Dagon. When the people woke up the next morning and went to the temple they discovered that Dagon had fallen before the Ark of God. A reminder of Exodus 20 verse 3 “thou shalt have no other gods before me.” The Philistines lifted up Dagon and put it back in place. The same happens the next day, Dagon has fallen but this time both its head and hands are broken off. A reminder that the Philistines god was one who could not hear nor speak, their god could do nothing for them. They sent the Ark away to Gath and Ekron. Awful things happened to the Philistines. The decision was made to put the Ark upon a new cart and send it away. The Ark came to Bethshemesh where the people were reaping wheat. When they saw the Ark they opened it up. As a result of touching the ark 50,070 men died. The Ark is then taken to Kirjathjearim and Abinadab's house where it remains for many years. 

David has now been made King and he makes a decision to bring the Ark to Jerusalem. He wanted to make Jerusalem a political and spiritual capital. He wants the Lord to have that central position. As we see this situation develop we recognise that David wants to do the right thing but he does it in the wrong way. 1 Chronicles 13 verse 3 "And let us bring again the ark of our God to us: for we enquired not at it in the days of Saul."  During the reign of Saul they did not give God the central place but now David wants to make him central in their lives. In verses 2 and 3 we see that David takes counsel with his men. They would have known Numbers 4 that said the ark of God was to be carried on the shoulders of the Levites. God gave clear instructions how the Ark was to be carried. Our God is not a God of confusion but of order. David knew how the Ark was to be carried. 1 Chronicles 15 verse 2 "Then David said, None ought to carry the ark of God but the Levites; for them hath the Lord chosen to carry the ark of God and to minister unto him for ever." David has the ark set on the new cart. If we would have been there we would have queried this action. The word of God clearly tells us how it is to be transported on the shoulders of the Levites. Sadly today many Christians are always looking for the new cart, that new way to invite people into God's house. We are not to do God's work the Philistine or the world's way. We are to do it God's way. Worldly churches have brought in the things of the world. Worldly churches are full of worldly ways. May we do it God's way and let it be God's way. Many have set aside the pulpit and a stage has been set up in its place. All so that people can be entertained today. When Martin Lloyd Jones came to Westminster Chapel the pulpit could be moved about. Martin Lloyd Jones bolted the pulpit to the floor, saying "God will have pre-eminence and be central here." May we do God's work his way and not the Philistine way.

"And when they came to Nachon's threshingfloor, Uzzah put forth his hand to the ark of God and took hold of it; for the oxen shook it. And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzzah; and God smote him there for his error and there he died by the ark of God." Everything was going well until the oxen on the cart came to rough ground. We read that the oxen stumbled. 1 Chronicles 13 verse 9 "And when they came unto the threshingfloor of Chidon, Uzza put forth his hand to hold the ark; for the oxen stumbled." If we are going to do God's work we must do it God's way and that way we will be successful. Uzzah was a Levite but he was not to touch the Ark of the Covenant - Numbers 4 verse 15. Uzzah died for his failure to obey God's guidance and obey God's word. Let us obey God and his word and see a work done for him in his way. Uzzah's name means strength and power. When it came to the rough ground Uzzah is relying on his own strength and ability. He rushed forward to put his hand on the Ark. Often we rush in relying upon our own strength, our own power. God's word says "not by might or by power but by my Spirit saith the Lord." Never rely on your own strength. David has a problem, a dilemma.

Verses 10  and 11 "So David would not remove the ark of the Lord unto him into the city of David: but David carried it aside into the house of Obededom the Gittite. And the ark of the Lord continued in the house of Obededom the Gittite three months: and the Lord blessed Obededom, and all his household." David and his men are in the middle of nowhere. What are they going to do with the Ark? We can imagine them knocking on the doors and explaining how Uzzah has been struck down dead. Would you, if you were asked let the Ark of God into your house? They came to Obededom who makes his home available. The Ark of the Lord is brought into his house for 3 months. What a difference it would make in that home. He would be mindful of his conversation with his friends who came into his house. Conscious of talking about something that he shouldn't be talking about. Maybe they would cut themselves short. I wonder if the Ark of God was in our home today what a difference it would make. If the television was on we would be mindful. We would be careful in the morning when we awaken, ensuring that we get time with the Lord. That we would not leave the house without spending time with him. It would change our quiet times, our prayer times. We would come to the Lord so much more. As believers we are indwelt by the Spirit of God. What difference should there be in your home if the Ark of God was present. As we are indwelt by the Spirit of God we should want to spend time reading God's word and prayer, mindful of conversations we have, what we watch on television. "And the ark of the Lord continued in the house of Obededom the Gittite three months; and the Lord blessed Obededom and all his household." The Lord blessed Obededom and all his household. If he lived for many years after this time he would look back to those 3 months when the Ark of God came into his home, stayed with him and with his family. Here's a man for these 3 months and the rest of his life the Lord would continue to bless him and his household. I cannot help but think of the 2 on the Emmaeus road. A man and his wife who met with the Lord. As evening draws night they constrained the Lord to stay and eat with them. Luke 24 verse 29. The Lord is revealed to them in the breaking of bread - Luke 24 verse 32. What an experience it must have been for Obededom. To have the Ark in his home. What it must have been for the 2 on the road to Emmaeus to have Christ spending time with them in their homes. The Lord wants to spend time with us each day. Are we coming every day, asking him to bless us and then at the end of the day asking for his help. Obededom was a Gittite, from Gath where Goliath the giant came from. This man was a Levite. In Joshua 21 verse 25 we read that the Levites were not given any land in Canaan, only cities. In 1 Chronicles 16 verse 4 the Levites are named and Obededom is listed. 1 Chronicles 16 verse 38 states that Obededom was a doorkeeper. Here is a man who when the Ark of God came into his home decided he wanted to now serve the Lord and very soon after we find him in Jerusalem involved in the work of God. When the Ark came into his home it changed his life for ever. That should be said of us. When the Lord came to dwell by his Spirit in our lives it should be evident to everyone.The man desires to be a servant of the Lord. Psalm 84 verse 10 "For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness." Obededom became a servant for the Lord. I hope the same can be said of you and I. 

Verse 12 "And it was told King David, saying, The Lord hath blessed the house of Obededom, and all that pertaineth unto him, because of the ark of God. So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obededom into the city of David with gladness." The ark of God has been in the home of Obededom for 3 months. Word came to David of how the Lord has blessed Obededom's house. Now David wants to bring the Ark up to Jerusalem. Obededom didn't object. He didn't say "I want it to stay here." The blessing he has received from the Lord - he wants others to be blessed in the same way. He wants to share the blessing with others. Are we quick to share the Lord with others? How we have put our faith in Christ he has blessed us? Or do we simply keep it to ourselves? When we are in the school, work or over the garden fence? I trust we will be ike him and give God the place in our homes and in our families.