Respect God’s Holiness

August 1

Think About It …

• What is the most elaborate public celebration you’ve ever seen?

• Today we look at a celebration that was Today we look at a celebration that was meant to honor Godmeant to honor God– David first did it wrong and then did it rightDavid first did it wrong and then did it right– We look at attitudes and actions that show proper We look at attitudes and actions that show proper

respect and reverence for Godrespect and reverence for God

Listen for words and phrases which describe the Ark.

2 Samuel 6:1-5 (NIV) David again brought together out of Israel chosen men, thirty

thousand in all. [2] He and all his men set out from Baalah of Judah to bring up from there the

ark of God, which is called by the Name, the name of the Lord Almighty, who is enthroned between the cherubim that are on the ark. [3]

They set the ark of God on a new cart and brought it from the house of Abinadab,

Listen for words and phrases which describe the Ark.

which was on the hill. Uzzah and Ahio, sons of Abinadab, were guiding the new cart [4] with the ark of God on it, and Ahio was walking in front of it. [5] David and the whole house of Israel were celebrating with all their might

before the Lord, with songs and with harps, lyres, tambourines, sistrums and cymbals.

Honor God in God’s Way

• What was the mission on which David and his men went to Baalah of Judah?

• How was the ark being transported from the house of Abinadab?

• What took place during the procession?• What in this passage suggests that David was

a successful leader?• Why was the Ark of God important?

Honor God in God’s Way

• Check Exodus. 25:14,15 and Numbers 4:15 for a contrast between what God specified for moving the Ark and how David was doing it.

• What are some examples of when we try to do good things for people but go about them in the wrong way?

• How do we know when we’re not doing God’s work in God’s way?

God’s Specifications David’s Method

Listen for an unfortunate tragedy.

2 Samuel 6:6-11 (NIV) When they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah reached out and

took hold of the ark of God, because the oxen stumbled. [7] The Lord's anger burned against Uzzah because of his irreverent act; therefore God struck him down and he died there beside

the ark of God. [8] Then David was angry because the Lord's wrath had broken out

against Uzzah, and to this day that place is called Perez Uzzah.

Listen for an unfortunate tragedy.

[9] David was afraid of the Lord that day and said, "How can the ark of the Lord ever come to me?" [10] He was not willing to take the ark of

the Lord to be with him in the City of David. Instead, he took it aside to the house of Obed-

Edom the Gittite. [11] The ark of the Lord remained in the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite for three months, and the Lord blessed him and

his entire household.

Respect What Is Holy

• What prompted Uzzah to reach out and hold onto the ark?

• How did God judge Uzzah’s action of reaching out for the ark?

• Why was Uzzah’s action irreverent even though he was trying to protect the ark?

• In what ways have we become subtly irreverent in our behavior before God – either as individuals or as a church?

Respect What Is Holy

• What was David’s emotional reaction to the death of Uzzah?

• After the death of the priest, what change of plans did David make out of fear?

• If you had been present on the day of Uzzah’s death, how would you have felt about having the ark brought to your home?

Listen for how this movement of the Ark was different.

2 Samuel 6:12 -15 (NIV) Now King David was told, "The Lord has blessed the household of

Obed-Edom and everything he has, because of the ark of God." So David went down and

brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-Edom to the City of David with rejoicing. [13] When those who were carrying the ark of

the Lord had taken six steps, he sacrificed a bull and a fattened calf.

Listen for how this movement of the Ark was different.

[14] David, wearing a linen ephod, danced before the Lord with all his might, [15] while he

and the entire house of Israel brought up the ark of the Lord with shouts and the sound of

trumpets. … [17] They brought the ark of the Lord and set it in its place inside the tent that David had pitched for it, and David sacrificed

burnt offerings and fellowship offerings before the Lord.

Worship with Enthusiastic Reverence

• What persuaded David to go back for the ark after three months?

• How was the public procession handled differently the second time?

• What was the mood of David and the people as they transported the ark?

Worship with Enthusiastic Reverence

• How can we combine proper reverence before God with unparalleled joy and celebration?

• Why are reverence and enthusiasm not mutually exclusive terms?

• How can we determine whether or not we are approaching worship with the proper attitude?

Application

• This week look for examples that show the power and authority and creativity and love of God– Look at the beauty of creation around you– Look at the power and wonder of Nature– Marvel at what God has done – tell Him of your

awe – don’t take these things for granted

Application

• Know that sometimes unexpected troubles disrupt the work of the Lord– It can happen that trouble comes to many by the

sins of a few– Anger and fear are normal response to

unwelcome disturbances– Talk to God about your feelings, confess your lack

of understanding

Application

• Respect for the holiness of God can take many forms– There are times for solemnity– There are times for enthusiasm– Respect for God will also be demonstrated in our

obedience to Him

Respect God’s Holiness

August 1