THE DUE ORDER Monday:
"For because ye did it not at the first, the LORD our God made a breach upon us, for that we sought him not after the due order. So the priests and the Levites sanctified themselves to bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel." KJV (1 Chronicles 15:13-14)
During the days of David, the significance of the ark of the covenant was once again discovered. The men of Kirjathjearim had previously brought the ark "into the house of Abinadab." Before that, it had been in the hands of the Philistines, who were judged by God because they looked into the sacred ark. The result of their foolish deed was that 50,710 men were smitten in a "very great slaughter" (1 Sam 6:19). The ark remained there for twenty years, until Samuel came to that place to speak to "the house of Israel" (1 Sam 7:2). At the time of our text, it is from 70-100 years after the ark was first put in Abinadab's house. David had prepared a place for the ark in Jerusalem, pitching a "tent" to house it. Now he has assembled Jerusalem to accompany the ark "out of the house of Abinadab that was in Gibeah," as it is returned to its proper abode (15:3).
At this time, David issued a solemn edict. "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" (15:2). The Levitical priests sanctified themselves and prepared to carry the ark on their shoulders, as was commanded by the Lord (Deut 10:8).
This meticulous order was carried out because of an incident that occurred several decades earlier, when the ark was being brought into the house of Abinadab. At that time, they had placed the ark on a "new cart" that was drawn by some oxen. Two of Abinadab's sons, Uzzah and Ahio, guided the cart, and Ahio walking before it. As the oxen moved along, they stumbled, nearly causing the ark to fall. At that moment, "Uzzah reached out and took hold of the ark of God" (NIV), thus keeping the sacred furniture from falling. It may have appeared an innocent gesture, but that is NOT how the Lord viewed it. It is written, "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" (2 Sam 6:7). The whole incident troubled even David. It is written, "And David became angry because of the LORD'S outburst against Uzzah" (2 Sam 6:8, NASB). However, the Lord had not acted rashly. It was David who was wrong in his assessment. That is why the next verse reads, "And David was afraid of the LORD that day." A memorable occasion, indeed!
Our text refers to the above passage, when Uzzah was smitten by God. The "breach" to which David refers was putting the ark on a cart drawn by oxen, instead of on the shoulders of the Levites, as the Lord had commanded.
The particular phrase that is of present interest is, "we sought Him not after the due order." Other versions say, "we did not consult Him about the proper order" (NKJV), and "We did not inquire of Him about how to do it in the prescribed way" (NIV). When the ark was away from the people, they soon forgot how it was to be handled – "the due order." Therefore, the ark, which was intended to be a blessing, actually became the basis for judgment – all because the people "failed to ask God how to move it in the proper way" (NLT).
Today, in Christ Jesus, there is also a "due order," or "proper way." It is not an external procedure, as under the Law, but it is a procedure, and is to be duly honored. This routine has to do with the heart and attitude, and is carefully specified by the Lord. It relates to coming to God, rather than carrying a piece of sacred furniture. "Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water" (Heb 10:22). David was able to see this kind of approach, and articulated it in the ninety-fifth Psalm. "Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto Him with psalms" (95:2). The Lord is as serious about this approach as He was concerning carrying the ark of the covenant. Yet, because of a lengthy absence of this kind of preaching and teaching, these things are no longer remembered as they should be. Somehow a mentality has arisen, and is being fostered, that leaves people thinking they can come to God without regard to any procedure at all. Thus, a certain spiritual sloppiness has crept into the church that is placing the people in great jeopardy. Here are things that must be honored.
A TRUE HEART. A "true heart" is one that is sincere and without pretension. This is a heart that really wants the Lord, His favor, and His blessing.
FULL ASSURANCE OF FAITH. This is assurance of acceptance, knowing the Lord will not turn away those who come to Him believing. Assurance focuses on God, not self, and comes to Him because of His grace.
SPRINKLED HEARTS. This is the absence of a condemning conscience. It is having the conscience cleansed from the guilt of dead works, and a heart that does not condemn the one coming to the Lord.
WASHED BODIES. This refers to our baptism into Christ, when our sins were washed away, and we "obeyed from the heart the form of the doctrine" of the Gospel (Rom 6:17).
This is the "due order" in Christ Jesus., and we do well to take it seriously. It is not my aim to promote fear or doubt, but to stir up a sincere interest in coming before the Lord in a manner that will yield blessing and joy. In Jesus there still is a "due order."
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank You for making known how we are to approach You.