Bad Decisions Made with Good Intentions

2 Samuel 6:3-7 ESV
“And they carried the ark of God on a new cart and brought it out of the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill. And Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, were driving the new cart, with the ark of God… And when they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah put out his hand to the ark of God and took hold of it, for the oxen stumbled.  And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzzah, and God struck him down there because of his error, and he died there beside the ark of God.”  And David was angry because the Lord had broken out against Uzzah.”

The ark of the covenant was never supposed to be on a cart, God’s command was that it would be carried on poles bore by priests walking. God specified that the ark was to be carried by way of poles that would be placed through rings that were attached to the four corners of the ark (Exo. 25:13-14).

Later it is specified that the sons of Kohath to bear the ark and that no one was to touch the ark, not even the sons of Kohath, the result of doing so was to die. (Num 4:15) David made a bad decision, for all the right reasons. Save the priests from walking a long way, save time, it sounds reasonable, but it was still wrong and it cost someone their life. It’s the same as disobedience.

We do it all the time probably, take the easy way instead of following God’s plan. We reason with ourselves and say that God is a gracious God, He will overlook this offense. Yes he does show mercy, but our actions are followed by consequences when we act in disobedience. We don’t die from them but they still cost us either pain or heartache of some kind.

Prayer:
Father, my best decision is to follow Your Spirit and Your Word, they will never lead me astray. When I’m moving out on my own, correct me that I find my way back to Your will and Your way!