Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: ASKEW (06/07/18)
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TITLE: Catawampus | Previous Challenge Entry
By Virgil Youngblood
06/13/18 -
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“It happened so quickly. I was leading the cart when the off-ox stumbled. The ark slid catawampus and Uzza reacted to steady it. When he did, God struck him dead! Why? Why, I’ve asked a thousand times!”
“King David was angry and confused. He left the ark at Obed-Edom’s house and went home. We were devastated. My father refused substance for days. But now we know why – why Uzza,” Ahio swiped a bronzed forearm across his face. “At least I think we do. An old priest remembered God told Moses the Kohathites were responsible for transporting the ark when it was moved. If they touched any holy thing they would die. If the priest had told us sooner, Uzza would still be alive.”
This event recorded in 2 Samuel 6: 1-9 and 1 Chronicles 13: 1-14 is particularly troubling to my oldest granddaughter. She thinks God was unfair, and holds it against him. But, was he?
God created everything that is. He is sovereign and has the right to do what he wants. In this story God left clear instructions that were not followed and the stated penalty was imposed. If Uzza was unaware of God’s charge concerning the ark, the consequences of his ignorance are heartbreaking. Today most of the world is ignorant of plumb line declarations in the Bible imposed by God for our well being.
When the people of Israel understood the why of Uzza’s demise, it caused them to walk closer with God. There is a lesson there for us today.
Sooner rather than later, I think, Jesus will return to establish his kingdom on earth as prophesied in Revelation and many other scriptures. After seven years of tribulation and the outpouring of his wrath, he will reign as King of kings for a thousand years. With Satan removed to the bottomless pit during this time, Isaiah 11: 6-9 conveys a delightful picture of heaven on earth.
But, at the end of the millennium, just before eternity begins, Satan will be loosed for a while (Revelation 20: 7-10). Do you wonder why? Why after the restoration of a Garden-of-Eden existence before Adam and Eve sinned, why will Satan be turned loose and life go cockeyed again for the remnant of Jews and surviving Gentiles and their offsprings?
Perhaps the reason is this. Where there is no sin there is no death. Those born during this blissful millennial period will live under the reign of a benevolent king. God granted to us free will; it seems he will give millennium dwellers opportunity to accept or reject his love.
Satan, being absent, had not been whispering over their shoulder tempting them to sin. Let loose he will do what he does best, using the same tactics he used on Adam and Eve. He is the father of lies. Consequently, many will follow that deceiver and be cast with him into the lake of fire and brimstone when God renders final judgment.
Is it fair that life on earth will end this way – that many who were born and lived during the reign of the King of kings will not spend eternity with him? Just think, Jesus by his death, burial and resurrection in power paid the price of every sin that was or ever will be committed. That is, with one exception. The unpardonable sin: Unbelief!
If we accept in faith what he did on the cross for us, we will not stand before the great white throne to be judged. And neither will those living during the millennium that acknowledge him for who he is --their Messiah, their King
In Joshua 24: 15 God conveys that we have a choice to make.. The ball is in our court, including my granddaughter’s. Our creator God loves us. He will help us overcome Satan’s persuasive attempts to sidetrack, to question God’s fairness.
May your highway be straight and your burden light. Obedience is key. (Ecclesiastes 12: 13)
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