1 Chronicles 15 - Dancing and Singing

Again, the story of David having finally bringing the ark to Jerusalem.  (2 Samuel 6)He confirms that the LORD had been against them the last time because they had sought to bring it in a manner that was against the rule.  This time it will be carried by the appropriate people, that is the Levites. 

It was a time of great celebration!  There was much singing and dancing as they celebrated the return of the ark.  Even King David was out dancing in the street.  His wife, Michal, saw him and dancing and despised him. 

I often sing and dance, not only during worship, but, also as we prepare to worship and sometimes after..  It's not the jumping around kind of dancing, more like gently swaying to the music.  When people are around, my granddaughter likes to appear greatly embarrassed when I do this.  I am not sure if she is really embarrassed or just likes to find something to complain to me about.  I do this less these days, as her embarrassment and comments have kind of curtailed some of my joy.  I don't sing intentionally..  The reality is that it is a natural reaction to the joy I feel within.  Joining together with others to worship God can be very contemplative, but it also brings to me a feeling of hope, of peace, and ultimately joy.  Thanks be to God that He has called us to worship and serve Him!

May God grant that we should all and always joyfully worship and serve Him! 

1 Chronicles 13

David receives the fear of the LORD.  It's kind of unclear (at least to me) why a man who tries to keep the ark from falling and being damaged is destroyed by God for touching it.  Just seems to me that a little grace could have been applied here.  But, then I am not God and He did give them the rules.  It appears that David has taken a short-cut or two in transporting the ark in the first place.  There were rings in the ark and two poles.  The ark was suppose to be transported by priests carrying it upon their shoulders.  It was not acceptable to move the ark in a cart (even a new one) pulled by oxen.  Also, the reading does not say whether Uzzah was a priest.  He and his brother were simply driving the cart.  For a non-priest to touch the ark was a capital offense.  So his death probably could've been avoided if David had followed God's instructions for moving the ark.  David learns a hard lesson here.  He receives the fear of the LORD.  When he finally moves the ark to Jerusalem, in a couple of chapters, we'll see he has learned this lesson and moves it with poles and it is the priests and Levites who carry it.

This story, too, is a repeat.  You can find it in 2 Samuel 6.  As I started flipping back and forth for comparisons, I was wishing that I had a copy of Walt Wangerin's "Book of God."   It is an excellent novel and I would have loved to read the story of David moving the ark with Walt Wangerin's slant on it this morning.  But, it appears I gave my copy away, again! I keep purchasing them and then giving them away... It is an excellent read!