THE K I N G ' S BUS I NE S S service. They demanded therefore the most careful handling and the most de vout regard. The Levites could not even look upon the holy things and did not see what they carried. At a later time when the Bethshemites even looked into the ark of the Lord more than fifty thousand were slain. How different is the dispensation of mercy under which we live today! Christ the author of our salvation has been seen and handled by men. 1 John 1:1. His disciples ate and drank, walked and talked with Him and even His enemies. Now we are in vited to come boldly unto the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Heb. 4:16. TUESDAY, July 27. 2 Sam. 6:1-10. The King’s Mistake. The ark of the covenant had not oc cupied its rightful place in Jerusalem for many years. After David became king, he determined to restore it to its proper place. The ark was placed upon a new cart that had never been used for other service, yet this was not in accordance with Divine instructions for it was to be carried by the Levites only. Num. 3:20-31. When the oxen stum bled the ark seemed about to fall and Uzzah put out his hand to steady it. He was immediately struck dead by the hand of God. This was an object les son to David and the people to teach them the sanctity of the ark of the covenant and respect for the law of God. It is not enough to do a right thing With a right motive. It must also be done in the right way. Uzzah meant well and since he suffered for the sake of David, it is not necessary to suppose that the temporal and physical judg ment that befell him, involved his spir itual and eternal loss. WEDNESDAY, July 28. 2 Sam. 6:11- 17. David Brings the Ark to Jerusalem. Seeing the Divine blessing that came to Obed-edom on account of the pres ence of the ark in his house, David was encouraged to complete its removal to Jerusalem. It was successfully carried out accompanied by the offering of sac rifices and a great religious procession in which David himself took part. With the ark within its gates, Jerusalem be came the religious center as well as the political center of the nation. David constructed a new ta.bernacle after the
707 pattern of the first for its reception and protection and further celebrated its advent by furnishing a great feast to the whole multitude of Israel. The treat ment accorded the ark is an index to the spiritual condition of the nation. While the ark lay neglected and for gotten at Kirjothgearim, the spiritual life was at a low ebb. When under David’s reign, the spiritual condition be gan to amend, the first evidence of im provement was the care and concern for this historic and sacred symbol of the Divine presence and power. THURSDAY, July 29. Ex. 25:10-22. The Ark of the Covenant. The ark was made of acacia wood overlaid with gold within and without, surmounted with a crown of gold. Four rings of gold for each of the corners, and stars of acacia wood overlaid with gold, provided for journeys through the wilderness. It contained a pot of manna, Aaron’s rod and the tables of the cov enant. Above the ark was the mercy seat of pure gold with two golden cherubims stretching forth their wings and covering the mercy seat. This was God’s meeting place with man. Paul was caught up to the third heaven of which we are told that this is a pattern and a type. Heb. 9:11-23. He found it impossible to describe on account of its glory and beauty. We may join with him in holy adoration and admiration uniting in his doxology of Rom. 11:33. “ O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and his ways past finding out!” FRIDAY, July 30. 1 Chron. 16:1-11. Sacrifice and Song. Besides the elders of Israel there were nine hundred and sixty-two Levites and priests from whom a sufficient num ber was taken to carry the ark in turn and conduct the musical service. The singing was accompanied by instruments under the direction of skilled leaders. It was a great processional oratorio the route being about nine miles in length. When the procession started from Jeru salem, it may be that the Levites with the fate of Uzzah in the minds of all, broke forth in solemn tones with the beautiful fifteenth Psalm. When they came to the house of Obed-edom, they might have sung the opening verses of the one hundred and thirty-second Psalm as if to lament the calamity that
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