Why Did Uzzah Die For Touching the Ark?

[Longhorn]

All we do here is trifle with your imaginary friend.

That has not gone unnoticed.

Oh goodie, death threats! Mah favorite

[Wyrd of Gawd]

This story is from Samuel, chapter

http://biblehub.com/2_samuel/6.htm

David decided to move the ark and used a new cart guided by two men, Uzzah and Ahio. When one of the oxen pulling the cart stumbled, Uzzah-naturally- put his hand on the ark. God, according to the story, killed Uzzah for trying to stop the ark from falling.

Then the LORD's anger burned against Uzzah, and God struck him dead on the spot for his irreverence, and he died there next to the ark of God

The bible describes god as being very angry because he tried to steady the ark. To Christians, why do you believe god punished Uzzah for trying to keep the ark from falling to the ground? I know that not every Christian on this site believes that the stories are literal. If you believe that this story is just an allegory then what is it teaching?

It was a crime for a common person to touch any holy object.  Only consecrated priests could handle holy objects.  The story is an illustration of Numbers 4:15 https://www.biblegateway.com/verse/en/Numbers%204:15 about the implementation of the death penalty against the Kohathites if they touched any of the holy objects while lugging them around.  

There was some various rules about how a common person could buy his way out of trouble for messing with some holy objects.  As soon as they were written the big wigs went whole hog and decided to go with the death penalty.  Uzzah got the death penalty.

[Nope]

This story is from Samuel, chapter

http://biblehub.com/2_samuel/6.htm

David decided to move the ark and used a new cart guided by two men, Uzzah and Ahio. When one of the oxen pulling the cart stumbled, Uzzah-naturally- put his hand on the ark. God, according to the story, killed Uzzah for trying to stop the ark from falling.


The bible describes god as being very angry because he tried to steady the ark. To Christians, why do you believe god punished Uzzah for trying to keep the ark from falling to the ground? I know that not every Christian on this site believes that the stories are literal. If you believe that this story is just an allegory then what is it teaching?

Because God made it perfectly clear that only priests were to 'touch' the ark.

If God made this known, what was uzz even doing near the ark if not looking for an opportunity to touch it?

The bible never says the ark would have been destroyed if uzz did not reach out to steady the ark. Uzz was making an oppertunity for himself, and God was not going to suffer a fool or his scheming

King David told his people to move the ark so Uzzah and another man were guiding the cart. It has been awhile since I read the OT but I don't think they had a temple yet. The bible does not say the man was scheming or doing anything else wrong. It pissed David off enough that he refused to move it again. The ark stayed in the home of a family that god blessed because of its presence.

Read all of 2 Samuel chapter 6 for the complete story

[Drich]

Because God made it perfectly clear that only priests were to 'touch' the ark.

If God made this known, what was uzz even doing near the ark if not looking for an opportunity to touch it?

The bible never says the ark would have been destroyed if uzz did not reach out to steady the ark. Uzz was making an oppertunity for himself, and God was not going to suffer a fool or his scheming

King David told his people to move the ark so Uzzah and another man were guiding the cart. It has been awhile since I read the OT but I don't think they had a temple yet. The bible does not say the man was scheming or doing anything else wrong. It pissed David off enough that he refused to move it again. The ark stayed in the home of a family that god blessed because of its presence.

Read all of 2 Samuel chapter 6 for the complete story

Ok..
So David gives a command for the Ark to be Moved.

Now according to the law, the Ark was to be moved by inserting two long poles made from a certain wood into large rings mounted on the outside of the box and then carried by levitical priests.

But rather than do what was commanded Uzzah and his brother provide a wagon, which again he was not a levite nor did he make the arrangements to move the ark according to the law. (which would have provided the suspention needed to traverse rough terrain.) Nor does 2nd Samuel say that the ark would have been destroyed if it had hit the ground.

The death of Uzzah put the fear/Respect of God back into David (the one who allowed Uzzah to carry off the Ark) and it also punished Uzzah for crossing a line he should not have. (Again even being near the ark let alone transporting it the way he did.)

[robvalue]

At that time:

1- God is petty
2- God is draconian
3- God will punish reflex actions
4- God will punish you for doing the lesser of two evils

Now:

5- God has either changed the rules, is no longer present, or no longer cares what we do

[Drich]

At that time:

1- God is petty
2- God is draconian
3- God will punish reflex actions
4- God will punish you for doing the lesser of two evils

Now:

5- God has either changed the rules, is no longer present, or no longer cares what we do

:Roflol:

Uhh-duh..

YES GOD CHANGED THE RULES!!!

That is why we are called Christians and not OT JEWS!!!

Christ is the new variable. That is what is meant when it is said CHRIST DIED FOR YOUR SINS!

That Means instead of us being struck down from death worthy sin, Christ died in your place.

[Cyberman]

[RobbyPants]

The bible describes god as being very angry because he tried to steady the ark. To Christians, why do you believe god punished Uzzah for trying to keep the ark from falling to the ground?

Pick one:

• Mysterious ways
  
• It's not meant to be taken literally
  
• That was the Old Testament
  
• He shouldn't have disobeyed God
  
• Let me ask my pastor. I'm sure he has a good answer.
  
• It was caused by Satan
  
• It was caused by The Fall
  
• It was caused by The Flood
  
• I WILL NOT LISTEN TO YOUR LIES! SATAN BE GONE!
  

The answer doesn't have to make sense. It just has to make the question stop.

[RobbyPants]

Uhh-duh..

YES GOD CHANGED THE RULES!!!

That is why we are called Christians and not OT JEWS!!!

Praise be to our steadfast and eternal lord, unchanging since the beginning of time.

[robvalue]

It's good that even God can admit when he utterly fucked up and needed to rethink.