Longing for the Divine

Posts tagged ‘Ark’

God’s Heart-Throbbing Desire

Though we cannot fully explain it, we all hunger for connection and a sense of belonging. We all desire intimacy. It is fundamental to who we are. This is why relationships touch us so deeply and why nothing hurts as much as losing love. Perhaps we feel this deep yearning for love because we are made to seek God, who likewise yearns for us. Such desirous love can only be satisfied by being joined in a deeply meaningful relationship. God desires that we draw close, allowing Him to dwell with us, but we give this up for lesser loves. By estranging ourselves from an infinite God and His infinite love, we’ve lost the most important love of all.

Uzzah, the Ark and God’s Blessings

When the Ark of God’s Presence falls on hard times, David wants to bring it to Jerusalem (1 Samuel 4–5). On the way, great festivity ensues that includes many band-accompanied songs. Everyone knows that something wonderful is happening, but suddenly, the cart transporting the sacred vessel is shaken by the oxen bearing it (2 Samuel 6:6). Uzzah, one of the servants attending the ark, responds by reaching out to steady it and is struck dead on the spot.