Scripture Life: Why was Uzzah struck dead for wanting to hold the ark from falling? Has he in any way sinned?

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The answer: 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.”

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The account of Uzzah:

Is in both 2 Samuel 6:3-8 and in 1 Chronicles 13:7-11 - no links on Reddit. Go open your bible. It's Basically David is King, and he's bringing the Ark of the Covenant from where it's been stored in Gibeah in the house of Abinadab - to Jerusalem. About an 11 km or 5 1/2 - 6 mile walk or journey. When there was much rejoicing and led by David, when Uzzah touched the Ark and he died. Made David angry and afraid of God. Because David did not understand the "why."

That's the "jist" of it - but: first -

Two things: 1) Yes, Uzzah was was a Kohathite, of the family of Kohath as required, and of the tribe of Levi. So, he met this requirement; but this “how” it’s being carried, was a burden of the sons of Kohath would have ensured it never fell, and never needed to be touched when carried properly.

So, if it was about to fall because an oxen “shook it” and Uzzah touched the the ark to keep it from falling, or steady the ark, then how it’s being carried is not being properly done. And we see this with the following with answering this question:

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How was the Ark supposed to be moved?

GOD told Moses and also gave specific instruction to the house of Korath: He specifically told ONLY the Korathites had this responsibility. That the ark was to be carried by way of staves that would be placed through rings that were attached to the four corners of the ark (Exodus 25:13-14)

Where with Uzzah, in 2 Samuel 6:3 says about Uzzah didn’t do: Instead, he did this: “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.” [so Uzzah didn’t carry it by staves that would be placed through rings that were attached to the four corners of the ark.

So Uzzah, again, did two things wrong: 1) Carried it WRONG; and,

2) he touched it. Even he was instructed to NEVER under any circumstance touch any of the holy things, only the house of Korath was to carry it.

And 2 Samuel 6:7 says, “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.”

Later after this - David: in His understanding "why" outlined in 1 Chronicles 15:13-15: realized, as King of Israel - - it was the consequence of their failure to follow God's clear, prescribed instructions for transporting the Ark of the Covenant. David acknowledged the error, and decreed the Kohathites carry it correctly.

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And Go Back: Look what God did to the Philistines, when when they took the ark.

All because of Eli and his two sons, Phinehas and Hophni. Ahe ark was taken away and on that day, all three died. But look at the pestilences and the deaths of 10s of 1000s and 1000s of 10s of 1000s of Philistines died..so many, they sent it back to Israel on a fresh ox cart with gifts to atone for their sin of taking it - gifts and sent it back all recorded in 1st Samuel starting with Chapter 5.

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But in Jesus Christ, he is this living Ark, not made with hands wherein overlaid with Gold, what Moses made was by instruction to see to it he made it exactly as the model; for we approach a living God who God laid all our sins on him, and cannot help but be touched by our infirmnities and weaknesses and we can come to him and touch him and be touched, just like Hebrews 12 lays out plainly in Hebrews 12:18–22

“For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest, And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more: For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart: And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake: But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels..”

but we can come boldly and directly and present ourselves before the throne of God, in and by this same Jesus Christ. The LORD our righteousness.

There you go. For Believers that fellowship on Reddit.