Why make the leap?

Albert Bogle February 09, 2024 6 2

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2 Samuel 6: 12-23 (NRSVA)

12 It was told King David, ‘The Lord has blessed the household of Obed-edom and all that belongs to him, because of the ark of God.’ So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-edom to the city of David with rejoicing; 13 and when those who bore the ark of the Lord had gone six paces, he sacrificed an ox and a fatling. 14 David danced before the Lord with all his might; David was girded with a linen ephod. 15 So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the Lord with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet.

16 As the ark of the Lord came into the city of David, Michal daughter of Saul looked out of the window, and saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord; and she despised him in her heart.

17 They brought in the ark of the Lord, and set it in its place, inside the tent that David had pitched for it; and David offered burnt-offerings and offerings of well-being before the Lord. 18 When David had finished offering the burnt-offerings and the offerings of well-being, he blessed the people in the name of the Lord of hosts, 19 and distributed food among all the people, the whole multitude of Israel, both men and women, to each a cake of bread, a portion of meat, and a cake of raisins. Then all the people went back to their homes.

20 David returned to bless his household. But Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David, and said, ‘How the king of Israel honoured himself today, uncovering himself today before the eyes of his servants’ maids, as any vulgar fellow might shamelessly uncover himself!’ 21 David said to Michal, ‘It was before the Lord, who chose me in place of your father and all his household, to appoint me as prince over Israel, the people of the Lord, that I have danced before the Lord. 22 I will make myself yet more contemptible than this, and I will be abased in my own eyes; but by the maids of whom you have spoken, by them I shall be held in honour.’ 23 And Michal the daughter of Saul had no child to the day of her death.

Answer: Because it’s the greatest spiritual confidence booster you will ever encounter.

The Ark of the Covenant was a small ornate wooden box covered with gold. It carried three things according to Heb 9:4. A gold pot that contained manna, Aaron’s rod, which budded and the tablets in which the covenant between God and his people was written. The Ark symbolised the presence of God with his people.

If you read the verses leading up to this particular account you will notice that moving the Ark was a dangerous activity. David had tried months before to bring the Ark into Jerusalem, but he was scared off from doing so when one of the men guarding the Ark touched it in order to save it from falling from the cart. He died instantly! The death of the man was seen as a punishment. The Ark was so sacred that only the priests could touch it. David decided it was a bit too hot to handle so he unloaded the Ark at the home of Obed-Edom which was nearby.

A few months later David learned that Obed-Edom and all his household were blessed because the Ark of the Lord rested in his home. This gave David the incentive to bring the Ark into Jerusalem. He took a leap of faith, trusted God was in the blessing of Obed-Edom and brought the Ark of the Covenant into the city. David took the leap of faith because he could see the blessing that had befallen Obed-Edom and he wanted these blessings for all his people. When God leaps with us in faith others are blessed.

Prayer:

Lord,

Give me the courage to believe in your goodness

Let me never become afraid of your displeasure

And miss out on the joy that comes from risking all for your glory