Why did God kill Uzzah who touched the Ark?

[Epistemes]

And David arose, and went with all the people that were with him from Baale of Judah, to bring up from thence the ark of God, whose name is called by the name of the LORD of hosts that dwelleth between the cherubims. And they set the ark of God upon a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab that was in Gibeah: and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drave the new cart. And they brought it out of the house of Abinadab which was at Gibeah, accompanying the ark of God: and Ahio went before the ark. And David and all the house of Israel played before the LORD on all manner of instruments made of fir wood, even on harps, and on psalteries, and on timbrels, and on cornets, and on cymbals. And when they came to Nachon’s threshingfloor, Uzzah put forth his hand to the ark of God, and took hold of it; for the oxen shook it. And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzzah; and God smote him there for his error; and there he died by the ark of God. (2 Samuel 6:2-7)

While I understand that the Ark of the Covenant was an embodiment of God’s presence with the Israelites, that if someone approached the Ark then such a person would effectively be in God’s presence, and that there were certain commandments concerning presentation and handling of the Ark, I do not understand why God is so unmerciful when it comes to Uzzah touching the Ark.

As I read the text, no matter what translation, it appears to me that Uzzah only touched the only in order to protect it and prevent it from falling off the cart “for the oxen shook it.” It appears that Uzzah is punished with death for something that would and could be easily interpreted as a potentially meritorious action. Sure, such an interpretation would be by 21st-century Gentile American standards and not the standards of the Israelites or early Jews – which is why it seems the author of the text or subsequent Jews have little to no “problem” with the punishment – but, I have to ask as a 21st-century Gentile American: Would God rather have the Ark literally fall off the cart and lay on the ground for all eternity?

 

[John_Walsh]

God had commanded all concerning the ark including the manner in which it was to be transported. Loading the ark onto an unstable cart pulled by oxen was their 1st grievous offense. It was to be carried by Levites using poles that were made to specification through rings. Many legs of men are far more stable than an ox cart. The maner they chose would be akin to disrespectfull handling of the Eucharist.

Reading through the Old Testament prior to your mentioned incident resulted in immediate death.

 

[Belloc_Fan]

God had commanded all concerning the ark including the manner in which it was to be transported. Loading the ark onto an unstable cart pulled by oxen was their 1st grievous offense. It was to be carried by Levites using poles that were made to specification through rings. Many legs of men are far more stable than an ox cart. The maner they chose would be akin to disrespectfull handling of the Eucharist.

Exactly. Touching the Ark was just sort of the straw that broke the camel’s back on this one. Uzzah’s death showed the remaining crew the error of their ways. I think Uzzah’s lesson is applicable in situations (sexuality, for example) where we might be tempted to push the envelope, or commit “minor” sins: they can get out of control and lead to more major ones.

 

[Ruthie]

In addition to what the other posters have replied, I see the story of Uzzah as a prefigurement of Mary’s perpetual virginity. She carried our Lord in her womb; she was the Ark of the New Covenant. For Joseph to “touch” it would be blasphemous in general, and very dangerous for him in particular!

Ruthie

 

[lyrikal]

It kind of reminds me of people who support immoral teachings and think they are doing God a favor. For example, there are people who support homosexuality because they think it is ok in God’s eyes to live a homosexual lifestyle and still be Christian. They think they are doing God a favor by sort of “preventing the ark from falling” but they may be surprised by the results they get from their support that what they are doing is against God’s law. Even if it looks like they are doing a good thing before the Lord for “accepting” and “loving” everyone (which is a good thing), they just interrupt the loving part wrong.

If God tells us we shouldn’t do something, then we shouldn’t do it. Plain and simple.

Grace and peace.

 

[charlye]

In addition to what the other posters have replied, I see the story of Uzzah as a prefigurement of Mary’s perpetual virginity. She carried our Lord in her womb; she was the Ark of the New Covenant. For Joseph to “touch” it would be blasphemous in general, and very dangerous for him in particular!

Ruthie

Are you serious??? I don’t know whether to laugh or cry! The lengths you RC’s will go in furthering your Marian worship is mind-boggling!

 

[DawnInTexas]

In addition to what the other posters have replied, I see the story of Uzzah as a prefigurement of Mary’s perpetual virginity. She carried our Lord in her womb; she was the Ark of the New Covenant. For Joseph to “touch” it would be blasphemous in general, and very dangerous for him in particular!

Ruthie

Amen (I believe). This is the way I felt this parallel in my heart.

She absolutely ~is~ the Ark of the New Covenant. Our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Mary’s Perpetual Virginity is Dogma in the Church. To touch the Ark (in the way that would change what God had preserved) would mean certain death, absolutely.

God Bless.
+Peace Be With You.
-Dawn

 

[BibleWalks]

God commanded the death penalty explicitly, even for the Levites, sons of Kohath: “they should not touch any holy thing, lest they die”.

This command is found in Numbers 4, 15:
“And when Aaron and his sons have made an end of covering the sanctuary, and all the vessels of the sanctuary, as the camp is to set forward; after that, the sons of Kohath shall come to bear it: but they shall not touch any holy thing, lest they die. These things are the burden of the sons of Kohath in the tabernacle of the congregation.”

 

[DawnInTexas]

Are you serious??? I don’t know whether to laugh or cry! The lengths you RC’s will go in furthering your Marian worship is mind-boggling!

Whomever informed you that Catholics worship Mary—go back to them and tell them that a Catholic told you that they are bearing false witness. I am a Catholic, and I am telling you this now.

To make such a statement is to break the 8th Commandment, “Thou shalt not bear false witness.” <-To break a Commandment is to commit a “Mortal Sin.” 1 unrepented Mortal Sin is enough to send one to Hell for eternity.

This is why they are God’s “Commandments.” They are his “orders.” He orders us. Breaking any of The 10 Commandments-is a serious “Mortal” (meaning death) Sin.

God Bless.
+Dominus Vobiscum,
-Dawn

 

[charlye]

Whomever informed you that Catholics worship Mary—go back to them and tell them that a Catholic told you that they are bearing false witness. I am a Catholic, and I am telling you this now.

To make such a statement is to break the 8th Commandment, “Thou shalt not bear false witness.” <-To break a Commandment is to commit a “Mortal Sin.” 1 unrepented Mortal Sin is enough to send one to Hell for eternity.

This is why they are God’s “Commandments.” They are his “orders.” He orders us. Breaking any of The 10 Commandments-is a serious “Mortal” (meaning death) Sin.

God Bless.
+Dominus Vobiscum,
-Dawn

No one told me RC’s worship Mary … I was a Catholic for more years than I care to remember and I put in my time with endless rosaries, watching parades through the streets with a statue of Mary all gussied up with garlands of roses and a gold crown, novenas, etc., etc.

You can call it whatever you want to salve your conscience … it’s still worship!

 

[cerad]

This is the kind of thread that supports Richard Dawkin’s argument that even moderate religious believers are dangerous. Killing someone for touching a magic box is just plain nuts no matter how you frame it.

 

[victus]

No one told me RC’s worship Mary … I was a Catholic for more years than I care to remember and I put in my time with endless rosaries, watching parades through the streets with a statue of Mary all gussied up with garlands of roses and a gold crown, novenas, etc., etc.

You can call it whatever you want to salve your conscience … it’s still worship!

She is the Mother of the Word Incarnate, does she not deserve the proper respect one would give to a mother of a King? Mary is very much a part of Salvation History. Her “yes” reversed Eve’s “no.” Sorry you feel that Catholics worship Mary.

 

[catholic1seeks]

Are you serious??? I don’t know whether to laugh or cry! The lengths you RC’s will go in furthering your Marian worship is mind-boggling!

I’m sorry you no longer believe in very explicit truths about Mary that lead us to God the Son, Jesus Christ.

How DO you know what to believe? Many Protestants, Bible-Christians, Fundamentalists (whatever you want to call yourself) believe Christian churches have partial truth.

Did Christ not want there to be one, authorative Church to contain the fullness of truth?

Jesus founded one Church( Read Mt.16:18 - Church not churches).

Jesus established an authoritative Church. People need to know truth (Read Jn 8:32, Jn 14:6,Jn 18:37). Where are we to go for the truth? The Church (Read 1 Tim 3:15). Among this, the Church has authority (read Mt 18:15-18).

The Church is visible and has unity in faith and morals. The Church is visible–read Mt 18:15-18. Read Eph 1:22-23; The Church is the Body of Christ, and it is the fullness of Christ (Eph 5:23), Jesus, the Head, has physical and spiritual aspects, so the Body, the Church, has the same. The world has to see the unity (see Jn 17: 22-23). Pertaining to unity of doctrine, see Acts 4:32, Eph 4:4-6, 1 Cor 1:10.

 

[DawnInTexas]

This is the kind of thread that supports Richard Dawkin’s argument that even moderate religious believers are dangerous. Killing someone for touching a magic box is just plain nuts no matter how you frame it.

There’s an atheist’s view for you. One who puts himself before and above God.

You can ask this question of God when you meet him, Cerad.
Either that, or poof you’ll be gone.

On another note…I’ve wondered what brings an Atheist to a Catholic Answers Forum. Are you here to learn? Or are you here to bring the rest of us to where you are?

God Bless.
+Pax, -Dawn

 

[CalCatholic]

This is the kind of thread that supports Richard Dawkin’s argument that even moderate religious believers are dangerous. Killing someone for touching a magic box is just plain nuts no matter how you frame it.

Hey cerad,
Your absolutely right, things are much safer in a secular society.
We have Communist China, The former Soviet Union (40 million dead) and Adolf Hitler at Nazi Germany (6 million + dead), for a few shining examples, and that is just in the 20th Century

 

[vee8]

This is the kind of thread that supports Richard Dawkin’s argument that even moderate religious believers are dangerous. Killing someone for touching a magic box is just plain nuts no matter how you frame it.

CAF rules of conduct

1. 
   *]Non-Catholics are welcome to participate but must be respectful of the faith of the Catholics participating on the board.

 

[cerad]

There’s an atheist’s view for you. One who puts himself before and above God.

You can ask this question of God when you meet him, Cerad.
Either that, or poof you’ll be gone.

Atheist’s tend not to believe in gods. It’s difficult to put oneself before and above something which doesn’t exist.

On another note…I’ve wondered what brings an Atheist to a Catholic Answers Forum. Are you here to learn? Or are you here to bring the rest of us to where you are?

God Bless.
+Pax, -Dawn

Mostly as an observer. I get quite a chuckle out of many of the threads. Especially the evolution ones. But I think that might be a bit off topic.

 

[cerad]

Hey cerad,
Your absolutely right, things are much safer in a secular society.
We have Communist China, The former Soviet Union (40 million dead) and Adolf Hitler at Nazi Germany (6 million + dead), for a few shining examples, and that is just in the 20th Century

Might want to check your history a bit. Nazi Germany killed a lot more than 6 million. I have always been puzzled by the Nazi’s. Sometime in in the early 1930’s millions upon millions of life long Catholics suddenly converted to atheism and started acting all immoral and nasty. Then about 12 years later, poof, they all became Catholics again. Very strange but very much off topic.

 

[cerad]

CAF rules of conduct

1. 
   *]Non-Catholics are welcome to participate but must be respectful of the faith of the Catholics participating on the board.

1. 
   Well you got me there. And I must confess that sending bears to kill kids is also a notion that I find difficult to respect. At least Uzzah appears to have been an adult.

 

[JPUSC]

Hey, I was just watching something about the Ark on TV. Is it true that it is located in an Orthodox shrine in Ethiopia? They say that the last guard and his replacement got some sort of eye cataracts and died after two years of guarding the Ark on the grounds.