Since the Fall, one thing that has been “natural” to humanity is to imagine God in their own image. We are tempted to create a God who is like us, except perhaps more powerful. But the Bible describes God as being primarily unlike us – God is holy, and the root of the word holy means “to separate” or “to set apart.” God’s holiness can be fearsome, especially for sinners. For this reason, the Lord has given explicit instructions on how to approach Him and how to worship Him. He did so even with objects that were symbolic of His presence, like the tabernacle, the temple, and the ark of the covenant. We see David and the Israelites celebrating the return of the ark to the capital city, but the death of Uzzah mars that return. At first glance, we, like David, can be angry and upset with God; we forget that God had given clear warnings that Israel ignored in general and Uzzah in particular. We would do well to remember the “Holiness of the Lord” (2 Samuel 6:1-11). God is not to be trifled with. We can approach God not because we are worthy but only because our Lord Jesus Christ has paid a costly price.

I. What Was the Ark?

II. What Went Wrong?

III. What Do We Learn?