EXACTLY the Same! …But Different

Christians who go about doing things the world’s way eventually end up worse than the world

Uzzah (“man’s strength/power”; not to be confused with Hosea— “God’s strength/power”) was a victim of king David doing things the world’s way

Date: 1/24/22, 3:21am

2 Samuel 6 is one of the three accounts in the Bible that mention the story which the following events (concerning king David, Obed-Edom, and Uzzah) originate from...

Though his intentions were both goodly and Godly, when David (the righteous) attempted to transport the Ark of the Covenant in the same manner that God allowed the Philistines (‘the world’) to successfully transport the ark (hauled upon a cart by oxen, as opposed to being “carried” on the shoulders of the Levite priests {levitation…?}; i.e. ‘the world’s way’):

• the oxen stumbled, shaking the ark
• Uzzah then stretched forth his hand to stabilize it, to the detriment of his own life because God’s anger burned against him for his presumptive error (firstly, only those of the Levitical priesthood were holy enough to handle the ark; and secondly, God is ALMIGHTY and man’s strength isn’t needed); leading David to name the scene of the crime “Perezuzzah”, for the LORD had a made a breach upon Uzzah (“man’s strength” 1 Chro 13:11)
• David forfeited the blessings that come with having Jesus (the ark typifies Jesus and His concentrated presence) adjacent to/within immediate proximity of the affairs of his life, while others (Obed-Edom & ALL his house— EVERYthing pertaining to him) enjoyed those visibly-discernible, household-impacting, rumor-invoking blessings

Now, for the sake of clarity, God’s way of correcting His children leads to:

1. LIFE; “…Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and LIVE?” (Heb 12:9 KJV+)
2. PROFIT; “For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our PROFIT, that we might be partakers of his holiness.” (Heb 12:10 KJV+)
3. PROMOTION; “The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility (honor always follows humility; humble yourself and God will lift you up).” (Prov 15:33 KJV+)

Therefore, don’t mistakingly think that what happened to Uzzah was God’s way of correcting him (though, maybe it was God’s way of correcting David, lol— ouch! RIP, Uzzah), which is a viewpoint that’s based upon an **evil understanding, leading to an unfavorable (Prov 3:4, 13:15) outlook of God, thus damaging your faith.

So I repeat: If God allows a believer to die as a result of an accident, calamity, or some other misfortune, it was NOT God’s way of teaching that person a lesson. Nor was it a punishment for some sin in their life, as that would be illegal on the part of a holy and just God. Jesus already paid the price!

BUT…! Why might God be okay with allowing the world or the heathen to succeed and prosper where the church or the Christian has failed in the same effort, or even greater attempt?

Well, believe it or not, even the unbeliever has a work in God’s masterplan; he amasses wealth, only to end up handing it over to the righteous:

Proverbs 13:22 KJV

A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.

Proverbs 28:8 KJV

He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor.

Ecclesiastes 2:26 KJV

For God giveth to a man that is good in his sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy: but to the sinner he giveth travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him that is good before God. This also is vanity and vexation of spirit.

And that’s merely one of many possible reasons not to be discouraged by the SEEMING wealth & prosperity of the wicked. Heck, it could even be that the unrighteous person in question happens to be generous; meaning despite his unjustness, he’s unknowingly lending to God (Prov 19:17, 22:9, 28:27) by giving to the poor/needy— and (unbeknownst to him) God will be indebted to NO man!

After all, the laws which govern the dynamics of giving & receiving (see below) are —indeed— laws, like gravity: they will work for anyone & everyone, believers and unbelievers alike; in the same way the sun shines and the rain falls on the just AND the unjust. God may not be a respecter of persons, but He does respect money…

Giving & Receiving

whether heaven-bound or hell-bound,generosity is always in your favor:

Proverbs 19:17 KJV

He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.

Proverbs 22:9 KJV

He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor.

Proverbs 28:27 KJV

He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.

Luke 6:38 KJV

Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

Still, for OPTIMAL results —to make the most of your time, money, resources, and efforts— doing things God’s way is highly incentivized throughout the scriptures: “Blessed is the man that a) walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor b) standeth in the way of sinners, nor c) sitteth in the seat of the scornful.” (Psa 1:1 KJV)

And what about said blessing, huh?

“The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.” (Prov 10:22 KJV)

That’s a tax-free salary; that’s having your cake and eating it too— ask any rich unbeliever, and they’ll tell you there’s no such thing as a free lunch. The familiar axiom relevant to this idea is “More Money, More Problems”, but for us the difference is, our Father’s style is simply out of this (fallen) world.

Yes & amen

<3 ,

Kiwi

P.S - Several talking points expressed herein are offshoots from two different sermons preached by Pastor Joseph Prince. No criticism intended, just contemplating the loaves~