Why did God strike Uzza dead for touching the ark of God when he was just trying to keep it from falling over?

Question

This one has always puzzled me. The only thing I get is that even if we do the wrong thing inadvertently, we are still responsible for our actions. Any other ideas?

Good job so far by everybody! I had not thought about the fact that God, of course, could take care of his own self and didn't need a hand from Uzza. I appreciate ya'll.

Answer 1

Now its important to note that the Ark had been in the houshold of Uzzah for 70 yrs, He well knew the law against touching it. When the sacred Ark was brought up from Beth-shemesh after its disastrous seven-month sojourn among the Philistines, it was deposited in the home of Abinadab, and his son Eleazar was sanctified to guard it. Here in this home the Ark remained for some 70 years, until David arranged to transfer it to Jerusalem. During the transfer another of Abinadab’s sons, Uzzah, dropped dead in his tracks when Jehovah’s anger blazed against him, because of his touching the Ark in disregard of the command at Numbers 4:15.—1Sa 6:20–7:1; 2Sa 6:1-7; 1Ch 13:6-10.

. A son of Abinadab, undoubtedly a Levite. Uzzah and his brother Ahio led the wagon carrying the ark of the covenant from their house when David wanted it brought to Jerusalem. When the bulls pulling the wagon nearly caused an upset, Uzzah reached out and grabbed hold to steady the Ark, for which Jehovah struck him dead on the spot. David named the place Perez-uzzah because there Jehovah had broken through in “a rupture against Uzzah.”—2Sa 6:3-8; 1Ch 13:7-11.

Notwithstanding Uzzah’s presumably good intentions to prevent the Ark from falling, it was judged as an “irreverent act.” (2Sa 6:7) This was because deliberate disobedience was involved. Jehovah had instructed that under no circumstances was the Ark to be touched by unauthorized persons, a warning of public knowledge that carried with it the death penalty for violators. (Nu 4:15, 19, 20) Had authorized ones, Kohathite Levites, carried it with the poles on their shoulders as God had directed, God’s anger would not have been incurred.—Ex 25:13, 14; Nu 7:9.

Answer 2

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RE:
Why did God strike Uzza dead for touching the ark of God when he was just trying to keep it from falling over?
This one has always puzzled me. The only thing I get is that even if we do the wrong thing inadvertently, we are still responsible for our actions. Any other ideas?

Answer 3

Because that was not respecting the sanctity of God nor His power. Somethings are considered sacred and untouchable even in the secular realm. He should have enough holy fear for God that he did not touch the Ark, just as you should not touch a live power line with your bare hands. Nor do you walk into an operating room without being scrubbed. But this does not mean Uzza went to Hell, as he meant well, but his death demonstrated the infinite holiness of God, that precludes sinful man walking into Heaven unwashed, and on his own goodness. Only by Jesus blood and His righteousness can we be forgiven and declared righteous. (Acts 3:19) "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;"

Answer 4

I used to wonder that as well, until I did more research.
The Ark had been captured by the Philistines, they returned it because of the problems they were having while they had possession of it. Upon its return to Israelite territory it remained at Kiriath-jearim for about 70 years in the house of Abinadab (1Samuel 7:1) . Uzzah was the son of Abinadab. He grew up around the Ark. I'm sure from the time he was a child, he was told, "DON'T TOUCH the Ark!" The Mosaic Law specified that the Ark was not to be touched by unauthorized individuals, there was explicit warning that violators would be punished by death.

King David’s desire to have the Ark returned to Jerusalem was a good one, but instead of having it carried by the poles on the shoulders of the Kohathite Levites which is what the Law instructed, David let it be placed on a wagon. The bulls caused a near upset, and Uzzah reached out to grab hold of the Ark, breaking God’s law. Uzzah’s presumably good intentions to prevent the Ark from falling, was judged as an “irreverent act.” (2Sa 6:7)

Also, God can read hearts. God may have seen some selfish motive that is not expressly revealed in the Bible account...
*Was Uzzah perhaps a presumptuous man, prone to overstep due bounds? (Proverbs 11:2)
*Did leading in public the Ark that his family had guarded in private give him an inflated sense of self-importance? (Proverbs 8:13)
*Was Uzzah so faithless as to think that God’s hand was too short to steady the sacred chest that symbolized His presence?

God likely saw something in Uzzah’s heart that caused Him to render swift judgment.—Proverbs 21:2.

Answer 5

2 Samuel 6:6 right? Here is what the bible dictionary says on the subject. "The penalty may appear to us severe, but it must be remembered that the Ark was a sacred repository, and the people had been clearly warned that only designated persons could touch the Ark, and warned also of the consequences of disobedience."
It does sound harsh though. Maybe he wasn't even supposed to be around the Ark at all. If it was something I wasn't supposed to touch under pain of death I would stay far away from it.

Answer 6

I heard R.C. Sproul once comment that Uzza was one of the group of people who were specially trained in how to treat the objects that were kept in the temple. So Uzza, of all people, would have known that: (a) the ark was never to have been transported on an ox cart; and, (b) no one was to touch the Ark.

Apparently Uzza had no real excuse, since he of all people should have known the law concerning how to treat the Ark.

Answer 7

Uzzah And The Ark

Answer 8

Because it was not "god". It was a technological device. 2 layers of gold created a capacitor. When he touched it, it discharged and blew his socks off. This is why they carried it with non conductive poles. They could not discern between a "god" or beings with more technology. Just like in other places where "god" descends in smoke and fire with the sound of many waterfalls. (like a spacecraft) If it was "god", then he proves he is neither just, or fair, nor worthy of worship. Take your pick.

Answer 9

Because GOD is quite stubborn, and he said they were not to touch it, and Uzza did... GOD doesn't really care about the finer details of the "mission", and if you didn't notice, he was quite vengefully in the olden days - he was very in to the whole "smiting"-thing.

Answer 10

God's will.

There's some relevancy in the story of Job and the concept of Suffering.

Religion confounds me.