“And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzzah, and he struck him down because he put out his hand to the ark, and he died there before God.” (1 Chronicles 13:10 ESV).
Uzzah’s death shocked David and the people of Israel. Though Uzzah may have reached out to steady the Ark with good intentions, his act violated God’s command: no one was to touch the Ark, not even the Levites tasked with carrying it (Num. 4:15). By transporting the Ark on a cart—rather than by poles on the shoulders of Levites as God had instructed—David and the leaders had also failed to follow God’s Word. Uzzah’s death revealed the danger of worshiping God in ways He has not prescribed. It reminds us that not all worship is acceptable. God is holy, and He must be approached on His terms. Yet this scene also highlights our desperate need for a mediator. If even a well-meaning touch brought death, how can sinners like us ever draw near? The answer is Jesus Christ, who fulfilled the law, bore God’s wrath, and opened the way for acceptable worship through His once-for-all sacrifice.
We must not forget the holiness of God, but we also must not forget the grace we’ve been given in Christ. Uzzah’s story calls us to approach God with reverence, but the gospel invites us to come with confidence through Jesus. In Him, we are cleansed, covered, and welcomed. Yet this grace should not produce casualness, but deeper awe and obedience. Let us worship with both holy fear and joyful assurance, knowing that our access to God is secured by Christ, not by our performance or good intentions.
PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for the grace You’ve shown us through Jesus. We confess that we sometimes take Your presence for granted. Forgive us when we are careless in worship. Teach us to walk in the fear of the Lord and the joy of the gospel. We come to You through Christ, our perfect Mediator. In the name of Jesus, amen.