The Hebrew word Uzza is similar to our word, strength, and is used in the human sense of strength. There are several Biblical characters with that name, with Uzza the Levite being the most well-known. His story has often left me a little uncomfortable with what to think.
Uzza was moving the ark of God, and when it started to tip, he reached his hand out to protect it. That seems not only like a natural reaction but maybe even a good thing. He was protecting this holy object. The problem was – he wasn’t supposed to be moving it on a cart in the first place. When he got into trouble, he relied on his own strength to make it right and it displeased God.
My take-aways:
Be careful to obey. Good intentions aren’t enough. God had given explicit instructions on the method of movement for the ark (using poles), but it had arrived by cart from the Philistines and so David built a new cart and ordered the ark transported to Jerusalem on that. It doesn’t appear they were trying to be disrespectful or even disobedient, but they didn’t do due diligence in seeking out God’s way to accomplish the task. It was the Levites job to know.
Don’t rely on my own strength. If I find myself in a position I should have never been in, I need to be careful not to work in my own strength, or react in my flesh, to make things right - even with the best of intentions. Stop. Confess. And ask for God’s guidance and strength before moving forward again according to His plans.
I want to learn from his failing and take heed as I make plans for this new year. It’s not just my destination that is important, but how I get there.
And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzza, and He smote him, because he put his hand to the ark: and there he died before God. I Chronicles 13:10
