Two New Carts

Serving – October 2016 – Grace & Truth Magazine

Two New Carts

There are lessons for Christians today from a story in 2 Samuel 6, when David sought to bring the ark of God into Jerusalem after he took the city from the Jebusites. This ark, not the same as “Noah’s ark,” was to be in the presence of God’s people as a testimony.

What Was The Ark Of God?
In Exodus 37 we read of this ark being made under God’s direction by the worker God designated. It was a rectangular container, 2-1/2 cubits long, 1-1/2 cubits wide and 1-1/2 cubits high (one cubit equals about 18 inches) that held certain objects including the tables of stone on which God had written (40:20). The ark was made of a special kind of wood called acacia, or shittim wood (KJV). It is very rot resistant. The ark was overlaid with pure gold. On top of the ark was a cover of pure gold called the mercy seat. At the two ends of the mercy seat, two cherubim of pure gold were placed, their faces looking down toward the mercy seat and their wings covering it.

The first time we read of cherubim is after Adam sinned and he was driven out of the garden of Eden (Gen. 3). God stationed cherubim with a flaming sword to guard the way to the tree of life so Adam and Eve could not eat of it and live forever in a sinful condition.

When all was completed, the ark of God was placed in a tent called the “tabernacle.” The tabernacle had two parts: the holy place and the most holy place – where God was to dwell. According to God’s direction, the ark was placed in the most holy place. Second Samuel 6:2 says, “the LORD of hosts ... dwelleth between the cherubims.” Once a year, on the Day of Atonement, the high priest would go into the most holy place and sprinkle blood, foreshadowing Christ’s sacrifice, on the mercy seat. Do you see the sacredness of the ark?

The ark was located in the center of the nation of Israel when they set up camp. When they traveled, the tabernacle had to be taken down and packed up according to God’s directions, with precision and purpose. Carried by the priests, this sacred object then led the people, who followed in a God-ordained order.

When it was time for Israel to cross the Jordan and enter the Promised Land, the priests carrying the ark stepped into the River Jordan, which was overflowing (Josh. 3). God stopped the water and a way was opened to let His people cross on dry ground. Days later, according to God’s command, the ark was carried around the city of Jericho, once each day for six days and seven times on the seventh day. At the end of the last march around the city, the wall fell flat and Israel took possession of the city. These things took place because His people obeyed God and He was present with them, as represented by the ark.

The Ark Was Lost
In 1 Samuel 4-6 we read about some events that took place between Israel and a people who remained in the land called Philistines. War was constant between the two peoples. One day there was a fierce battle and some leaders of Israel decided to bring the ark of God to the battleground. They thought this would help them win. So they sent to Shiloh, where the ark was, and the two renegade sons of the priest along with two others carried the ark into the battle – without any instruction from God to do so. The soldiers of Israel shouted when the ark arrived, believing they now had God with them and were doing right. They thought victory was certain. The battle waged on, the Philistines won and they took the ark to their city Ashdod, putting it in the temple of their god Dagon.

The ark’s presence eventually destroyed Dagon. In fact, God’s heavy hand was on every Philistine city where they brought the ark, and eventually they decided to rid themselves of it. Formulating a plan of their own, they put the ark of God on a new cart hitched to two cows that had just had calves. Leaving the calves behind, the cows, directed by God, pulled the cart back to the people of Israel, to a place called Bethshemesh, and it stood there. They chopped up the wood of the cart and offered up the cows as a burnt offering. But then the men of Bethshemesh made a grave mistake: They looked into the ark because they were curious, resulting in the death of over 50,000 men. We don’t serve or honor God through human curiosity or disobedience!

The ark of God was taken to the house of Abinadab, who sanctified his son Eleazar to take care of it. They did right with the ark of God, and were blessed during the 20 years it was there (7:1-2).

Wrong And Right By God’s Servant
David wanted to bring the ark of God up to Jerusalem, as we read in 2 Samuel 6. To do so he decided to follow the same method of the Philistines. He built a new cart and pressed ahead without considering God’s instruction that the ark was only to be carried by the priests. If you want to serve God, it is important to study God’s Word prayerfully as to how to go about it. David’s plan failed when God allowed the oxen pulling the cart to stumble. The cart’s driver, Uzzah, put out his hand and took hold of the ark to keep it from falling. But God was angry with him, and Uzzah died on the spot. David was “displeased” and “afraid,” so he left the ark at the house of Obededom.

After three months David saw that Obededom was blessed by having the ark, so he again decided to bring the ark to Jerusalem, carried correctly this time. The ark arrived in the city to the joy and gladness of David and all Israel.

The Lesson
When we look at the two new carts we see two different things. The Philistines wanted to get rid of the presence of God so they made a cart to carry it away, and their plan worked. David wanted to have the ark, God’s presence, in his beloved city, but using a new cart like the men of the world was the wrong way and his effort ended in tragedy.

There are similar situations today. Even in the Church, some are in rebellion like the Philistines, seeking to be rid of God and devising means to do just that. Then there are those who want the presence of God (Christ), but for one reason or another – possibly ignorance – they devise means like the two new carts to obtain their desire. Sadly, those caught up in faulty methods suffer greatly, like Uzzah.

We have a wonderful book, the Bible, which tells us how we are to behave, serve and worship our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. Many times Christians act in ignorance – either not doing what God says or doing things that He did not teach. Do your research in Scripture, or you may end up using a new cart in misplaced zeal.

By Curt Darling