ST NICOLAS, NEWBURY

HOME GROUP QUESTIONS

WEEK BEGINNING 9 JULY 2006

PEOPLE IN PRAYER - DAVID (2)

Read 2 Samuel 6:1-23.

The ark of the Lord had been with the people in their wilderness wanderings. It was a wooden box 3'9'' by 2'3'' by 2'3'', made of expensive acacia wood - acacia being very durable yet light weight. It was covered in gold, and it lived in the tabernacle in the place called the Holy of Holies. It had a lid called the atonement seat, overshadowed by two golden cherubim. It contained the two stone tablets on which were written the ten commandments, along with Aaron's budding staff and some manna from the wilderness. It was regarded as the footstool to the throne of God.
That is why it is so significant here. It had poles on each side so that it could be lifted up high. It was never meant to be transported on a cart.

v6-7 Do you find what happened to Uzzah rather harsh? Uzzah wasn't the first one to whom this had happened. Saul did not reverence God as he should have done; neither did some of the priests. See 1 Samue15:7-23 and 1 Sam 2:12-17, 30, 34. To set what happened to these people in context read Exodus 19:20-22; Numbers 4:18-20. Although God administered punishment if his holy Name was profaned, He sometimes provided a way for Him to forgive - e.g. Numbers 21:4-9. However, access to forgiveness generally came through the prescribed rituals of purification and compensation offerings. What Uzzah had done disallowed him from that route. He had bypassed the system, and gone straight to the Holy of Holies.

What does all this tell us about the nature of God and the coming of Jesus? See Hebrews 9:1-8; 10:1-4, 19-22; 10:29-31; 10:39. Now look at Hebrews 12:28, 1 Samuel 2:25 and Romans 8:34. What do you think about the Uzzah situation now? What does all this tell us about the significance of the Cross? What do we learn of the character of God?

In 'The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe' (page 75), Mr and Mrs Beaver explain Aslan's nature to Lucy: 'Then he isn't safe?' said Lucy. 'Safe?' said Mr Beaver. 'Don't you hear what Mrs Beaver tells you? Who said anything about safe? Course he isn't safe. But he's good. He's the King, I tell you.' Look back at 2 Samuel 6. How does David's attitude change? Look in particular at v9, 13, and 22. Do you think David would agree with Mr Beaver?

How do you react to David's 'dancing before the Lord'? To see what God's verdict is compare what he ordains for Michal and for David in their future lives.

Why do we not see more of dancing in church worship? Brainstorm a range of different ways in which we reverence God in our corporate worship. Which do you feel more comfortable with, and why? How far do our motives dictate what is acceptable to God in worship? See Matt 23:5-7; Psalm 51:17; 1 Corinthians 11:27-32.

In this story David learns more of what it means to reverence God. Consider how this affects his prayer life by reading his prayer in 2 Samuel 7. What features are present here that make this such a 'good' prayer? How far does our experience of everyday life inform our prayers? Spend some time praying using some of the ideas you have considered in this study.

Helen Wilkinson
10 July 2006