Something New

by H. Darke, Vancouver, B.C. | Category: General | Mar 1961

Describing a scene in Athens nigh 1900 years ago, Luke records,

"Now all the Athenians and the strangers sojourning there spent their time (Or had leisure for nothing else) ... either to tell or to hear some new thing" (Acts 17.21).

The same restless seeking for some new thing is going on in our own day, and it should be a warning to God's people that this is not only manifesting itself amongst ungodly sinners, but also amongst unhappy children of God. It seems as though the empty lives and anxious strivings of men and women (saved and unsaved) can only be satisfied with the regular appearance of new ideas, new methods, new approaches, new things. God's remnant people must be on their guard that in our service for Him we do not seek the " new things " of men to replace the "old things" which are contained in God's holy word.

There is a lesson in the life of David in regard to this matter which can be for our learning and admonition. Although a man after God's heart, a sweet psalmist, a mighty warrior, and Israel's king, David nevertheless incurred divine wrath by replacing the instructions of the LORD (with regard to the carrying of the ark of God) with an idea of the Philistines (1 Chronicles 13). This failure on David's part cost a man his life at the hand of God, and although David's intentions at the time were praiseworthy, yet he learned, to his sorrow, that they were out of keeping with the mind of God. From the days of Moses it had been decreed in Israel that the Ark had, to be carried on the shoulders of the Levites. This is clearly shown in Numbers 7.7-9,

"Two wagons and four oxen he gave unto the sons of Gershon, according to their service : ... But unto the sons of Kohath He gave none : because the service of the sanctuary belonged unto them; they bare it upon their shoulders."

That is why the ark had two rings on each side, and two staves to fit into the rings; but David followed the Philistines' way, and while we may not doubt that he only wanted to do the very best for the LORD, yet David should have known better than to allow his good intentions to supersede the word of God. Whenever we are in doubt let us be guided by the psalmist's emphatic instruction,

For the word of the LORD is right" (Psalm 33.4).

Only the best for the LORD seemed to be the key-note of David's whole life, but this was one time when God had to reject what he did. David provided a new cart; the best of oxen and possibly the best of men to drive it. David's zeal for God was great, and his motive excellent, but the whole thing was contrary to the will of God. As the new cart bore the ark along,

"David and all Israel played before God with all their might even with songs, and with harps" (1 Chronicles 13.8).

What a scene of joy and apparent spiritual delight! But the oxen stumbled and Uzza put forth his hand to steady the ark, and instantaneously the LORD smote him, and he died. What a change of scene ! David's ecstasy was turned into displeasure and then to fear of God.

The ark is a type of Christ. When it was made for the tabernacle in the wilderness, acacia wood (speaking of His humanity) was used; it was covered with pure gold (speaking of divine glory); it had a crown of gold around the top (telling of His kingly character); in the ark were placed the law (speaking of the law within His heart, which He fulfilled so perfectly), the golden pot containing the manna (telling of God's provision in Christ to feed His people), Aaron's rod that budded (type of Christ in the power of His resurrection) ; and upon the ark was the mercy-seat (telling of Christ in His propitiatory work). Surely the wondrous Person of Christ should occupy the highest place in our lives. There is no substitute for Him.

Christ is no impersonal abstraction,

Evolved from ages past,

But a living, bright reality,

Eternal and steadfast."

Uzza reached out to steady the ark. From this we learn that the Son of God is not dependent upon any man for support or help. He does not need to draw strength from another, for He is very God; He is the Majestic One, the Creator and Upholder of all things. The outstretched hand of Uzza brought immediate judgement. How careful we need to be that our service for the Lord is right, and that we have a true apprehension of Him! He is

"the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; .... to whom be honour and power eternal. Amen" (1 Timothy 6.15).

The ark found a temporary resting place in the house of Obed-edom, and it remained there for three months, "and the LORD blessed the house of Obed-edom, and all that he had." And a like blessing awaits all those in God's holy nation today who are prepared to give Christ the rightful place in their lives and in their homes. The dwelling of Obed-edom was not cluttered up with earthly possessions so that there was no room for the ark, or that it might have to be squeezed into a corner. No: this godly man counted it all joy to give the ark a place in his home, and God blessed his house accordingly.

David had pitched a tent for the ark and he confessed to Israel, "None ought to carry the ark of God but the Levites: for them hath the LORD chosen to carry the ark of God, and to minister unto Him for ever" (1 Chronicles 15.2). Now we find David doing things God's way. We must heed the warning of how easy it is for men, even godly men, to go astray by following their own inclinations rather than the word of God. We are living in days when the divine order of worship and service are being set aside and man's own methods are being introduced. Often it is done with good intention, but this does not prove it to be right. The sects and systems are constantly seeking new ways and means of capturing the masses, and it will be a sad day for the churches of God if we ever attempt to imitate such methods. The power of God is in His Spirit and in His word, and there is no substitute for preaching unto the multitude the word of God (see Luke 5.1). God needs today not new ideas, new methods, new programmes, but new men and women who are prepared to live clean, holy lives, and to be channels through which the blessing of His word can flow to those around us. Let us raise Christ aloft so that all may see Him, and let us cease from telling or hearing some new thing.

H. Darke, Vancouver, B.C. | Mar 1961
General