Jim Butler · 2017-10-01 · 1 Samuel 6:1–23 · 58 words0
Summary
ExpositoryGod's celebratory worship must be conducted on his own prescribed terms, as the ark narrative demonstrates — a principle that applies directly to the Lord's Supper as an appointed ordinance of joyful yet solemn covenant worship.
2 Samuel 6 records Israel's transfer of the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem — an act of celebratory worship that collapsed into tragedy and then triumph. This exposition traces the text through Uzzah's death, David's fear and delay, and the final joyful procession, drawing out the non-negotiable principle that God must be worshipped on his own terms, not according to human innovation. The sermon closes by drawing explicit parallels between the ark narrative and the Lord's Supper as a similarly appointed, similarly joy-filled, and similarly solemn act of covenant worship.
Key quotes
God had prescribed the way the ark was to be carried, and they did not do it according to that prescription — and a man died.
David was not wrong to celebrate; he was wrong in the manner of the celebration. The worship itself was right; the method was not.
The Lord's Supper is not something we invented. It is an appointed ordinance of Christ, and we come to it on his terms, not our own.
Applications
Questions this sermon answers
God had prescribed that the ark be carried on the shoulders of the Levites using poles; transporting it on a cart, however well-intentioned, was a violation of his explicit command, and Uzzah's death was the consequence of treating God's prescribed worship as negotiable.
It teaches that God must be worshipped according to his own appointment — celebrating in the wrong manner, even with good intentions, brings judgment rather than blessing.
Both are divinely appointed acts of covenant worship that call for joy and solemnity together; just as Israel was to carry the ark on God's terms, Christians are to come to the Lord's Table on Christ's terms, with self-examination and reverent celebration.
Michal despised David's wholehearted, undignified rejoicing before the Lord, and her contempt for his worship resulted in her remaining childless — a sign of divine displeasure with her attitude.
Both — the sermon draws from the ark procession that worship can be simultaneously celebratory and serious, and applies this to the Lord's Supper as a feast of joy that nonetheless demands careful self-examination.
Turn with me in your Bibles to 2 Samuel chapter 6. 2 Samuel chapter 6. Hopefully a familiar passage of scripture. I'll read and then give an exposition and then draw out some similarities or some parallels with the Lord's Supper. 2 Samuel chapter 6, I'll begin reading in verse 1.
Again, David gathered all the choice men
Study notes