Have you ever heard the saying, “Two wrongs don’t make a right”? Though the principle is very simple, many still try to justify bad behavior with more bad behavior. An example appears in the Old Testament account of David’s reign as king of Israel. 1 Chronicles 13:7-10 reveals the sad account of Uzzah’s untimely death.
The first mistake is described in 1 Chronicles 13:7. The Ark of the Covenant had been taken from Israel, and it was finally going to be brought back to the Temple where it belonged. The Scriptures tell us they decided to use a new cart to carry the ark, despite the fact that only the Kohathites of the tribe of Levi were to carry it with staves (Deut. 10:8; 1 Chron. 15:15). While a new cart was likely chosen out of respect for the mercy seat of the Lord, or perhaps for convenience, their actions were still unauthorized.
In the next verse we find David and all of Israel worshipping God “with all their might.” They had assumed that God would accept this worship and bless the efforts of bringing the Ark of the Covenant home. Many today worship God in whatever way they choose and assume it to be acceptable. A prevalent doctrine teaches that since God “knows our hearts,” He will be pleased with any form of worship (right or wrong). In the minds of these false worshippers sincerity alone is enough. Unfortunately for them, God has revealed that He is not pleased with these efforts in the following verses.
The next mistake was Uzzah’s. When the oxen stumbled and caused the Ark to begin to fall, Uzzah used his hand to hold it up. 1 Chronicles 13:10 explains that God was angry with Uzzah and took his life. Because Uzzah was sincere and his motives were pure, many have wondered why God would kill him. We should remember God had plainly commanded how this should be done, and that command was ignored. Uzzah’s and David’s actions could not be tolerated.
Certainly, we must be sincere in our actions and worship to God, but sincerity must be coupled with truth (John 4:24). We can be sincerely wrong. There are many who believe they are helping people and teaching the truth when they are actually the blind leading the blind (Matt. 15:14). God does not accept sincerity alone. Those who ignore and disobey the law will receive their just reward at the judgment (2 Thess. 1:6-9).
We must not assume we are doing right based on our feelings, judgments, or what the preacher tells us. Only the word of the Lord can direct us properly (Col. 3:17). Let us examine ourselves in the light of His word, so we will know how we ought to live.
-Ross Haffner