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Worship Christ with love and care

Sunday School Lesson


 

 

1 Chronicles 15

Worship in the nation of Israel took many different twists and turns. This unsure path was not the design that had been given them. Human ideas and sinful rebellion were the cause of these ungodly patterns.

The sacredness of worship was not in doubt when the worship system was given at Mount Sinai. See Exodus 19ff. The specific pattern was to be practiced throughout the whole history of the Chosen Nation, Israel. Very early, the people broke the commandments that had been, first spoken, and, then, given on tables of stone. See Exodus 20:3-17.

The written copy, written in stone, was to be kept in a divinely-designed chest called “the ark of the covenant.” This object was kept in the portion of the tabernacle, tent of meeting, in what was known as “the holy of holies.” This area could only be approached by the high priest on the “Day of Atonement.” There was to be no question regarding the sacredness of this area and object.

Over time, the sacredness lost its meaning to those of the priesthood. The “ark of the covenant” became reduced to the level of a “good luck charm.” The sons of the priest, Eli, were the leaders of this mind-set. See 1 Samuel 4:3. Their scheme did not “work.” The ark of the covenant was captured by the enemy, the Philistines. 1 Samuel 5:1, 2. The power of God, Jehovah was no match for their pagan gods. 1 Samuel 5:6ff.

After seven months (1 Samuel 6:1), the pagans decided to return the ark to its owners. 1 Samuel 6:7ff. The cattle pulling the cart carried it to Bethshemesh. 1 Samuel 6:12. The Jews allowed their curiosity to overtake them. These people opened the ark, and received divine judgment for their presumed action. 1 Samuel 6:19, 20. This group sent the ark to Kirjathjearim. 1 Samuel 7:1. This sacred object remained in that area for twenty years. 1 Samuel 7:2.

The divine record is not clear regarding the history of this object during all the time of the judgeship of Samuel, and the reign of Saul. The time of the leadership of Samuel is not recorded in scripture. However, the reign of Saul was forty years. See Acts 13:21.

Finally, David was made king, first in Hebron for seven years and six months. 2 Samuel 2:11. At the end of this period, through a series of events, the son of Jesse was made king over all of Israel. 2 Samuel 5:3.

After a period of time, the decision was made to bring the ark of God to Jerusalem. 2 Samuel 6:1, 2. This first attempt was met with tragedy, since the process did not follow the order that had been had been divinely-prescribed. “They set the ark of God upon a new cart.” 2 Samuel 6:3a.

The second time the move was made, the divine order was followed. The record is clear, “David…prepared a place for the ark of God, and pitched for it a tent.” 1 Chronicles 15:1. The moving of this God-ordained object was, now, followed in the prescribed manner. “Then said David, 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.” I Chronicles 15:2. For this occasion, “David gathered all Israel together to Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the Lord unto his place, which he had prepared for it.” 1 Chronicles 15:3.

The king had learned from his mistakes. “And David called [the priests and priestly leaders] And said unto them, Ye are the chief of the fathers of the Levites: sanctify (set apart for sacred use) yourselves, both ye and your brethren, that may bring up the ark of the Lord God of Israel unto the place that I have prepared for it. For because ye did not it at the first, the Lord our God made a breach upon us, for that we sought him not after the due order.” 1 Chronicles 15:11-13.

These Levites had had little or no experience in the carrying out of their God-given duties. However, they carried out the king’s directive, “So the priests and the Levites sanctified themselves to bring up the ark of the Lord God of Israel.” 1 Chronicles 15:14. The movement of the “symbol of the presence of God” was carried out in the proper manner. “And the children of the Levites bare the ark of God upon their shoulders with the staves thereon, as Moses commanded according to the word of the Lord.” 1 Chronicles 15:15; see Exodus 25:14.

The first attempt at moving the ark was accompanied with musical instruments. This procession was stopped by the death of Uzzah. 2 Samuel 6:6, 7. The reaction of David is described, “And David was displeased.” 2 Samuel 6:8a. This proper movement was accompanied with singers, as well as with the instruments. 1 Chronicles 15:16. The reaction of the people is described.” So David and the elders of Israel, and the captains over thousands, went to bring up the ark of the covenant of the Lord out of the house of Obededom with joy.” 1 Chronicles 15:25.

The celebration of the moving of the ark to its proper place was accompanied by the offering of sacrifices, “seven bullocks and seven rams.” 1 Chronicles 15:26c. Rejoicing without reverence leads to only empty forms. “Thus all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of the Lord with shouting, and with the sound of the cornet, and with trumpets, and with cymbals, making a noise with psalteries and harps.” 1 Chronicles 15:28.

The actions of the king were observed. “And it came to pass, as the ark of the covenant of the Lord came near to the city of David, that Michal the daughter of Saul looking out at a window saw David dancing and playing: and she despised him in her heart.” 1 Chronicles 15:29. It is obvious that all people did not share in the reverence and love that the king showed toward the things of God.

In our day, there are those who do not share our love and care for our Lord Jesus Christ. There is no need for this outside indifference to hamper our expressions of love and care for our Master. May we always show our love for Him!

Rev. James C. Temples can be contacted at P. O. Box 1484, Swainsboro, GA 30401; 478- 299- 2068. Email: temples_james@yahoo.com

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