The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 161

Divine will, wh\lst the me,ms employed for the attainment thereof aro contrary to it. 6. Good intentions do not justify forbidden actions. "Two things make a <1ood Christian-good actions and good aims. A good aim maketh not a bad action g~od, RB here; and yet a bad aim maketh a good action bad, as we see in Jehu" (Trapp). 7. The conduct which is blameless in some may be sinful in others who ha.ve received higher privileges. 8. Although the transgression of God's Law may be borne with for a time, it is sure to be followed by deserved chastisement. 9. If negligence and dis- obedience in relation to the material symbol were displeasing to God, much more must they be so in relation to the spiritual truth of which it was a shadow (Heb. x. 29). 10, The noblest agents should be chosen for the performance of the noblest services.-D. Vcrs. 6-8 (1 Chron. xiii. 9-11).-(GoBEN N.&.cHON.) The ark upheld wit!~ irre- verent hands. "Read who the Churoh wonld oleanse, and mark How stern the warning rnns : There a.re two ways to guard her ark- As patrons and as sons." (' Lym Apostolico..') The fair prospects of a great enterprise are sometimes darkened, as by a thunderstorm in consequence of the improper manner in which it is conducted. 'l'he forbearance of God t.oward those who transgress his ordinances is often unheeded, and becomes an occasion of further transgression, until the occurrence of a signal disaster fills them with fear and trembling. The act of one man, it may be, gives definite expression to the spirit which influences many, and on him falls the lightning-stroke of Heaven as a punishment for his sin and a chastisement of all who are associated with him~ a solemn oall to consideration and amendment. "Give unto Jehovah, 0 ye sons of God, Give unto Jehovah glory and strength; Give unto Jehovah the glory of his Name; Worship Jehovah in holy attire. The voice of Jehovah is upon the watera. The God of glory thundereth.'' (Ps. xxix. 1--3.) L A SEEMING EXIGENCY. The ark in danger! "For [ at the threshing-floor of Nachon, or Chidon] the oxen shook it [kicked, broke'·loose, or stumbled]," so that the support of Uzzah was apparently needful to arrest its fall. In like manner religion- the Church, its worship, sacraments, doctrines-sometimes appears in perilous need of human help. Bnt the apparent exigency : 1. Is commonly the result of previous negligenu and disobedience on the part of those to whom its interests are entrusted, and the false position in which it is placed. If the "due order" (1 Chron. xv. 13) had been observed, the danger would never have arisen. 2. Serves_ the purpose of testing and manifesting the cha-racter of men. Will it lead them to consider, perceive their error, and amend; or occasion further aberrations? 3. Can never warrant an inter- ference which is e:r,pressly prohibited, however great the danger or sincere the desire to avert it. "'You roust rather leave the ark to shake, if it so please God, than put unworthy hands to hold it up" (Bacon). 4. Is not so great as it appears; for God is able to prevent its fall or overrule it for good. "The special moral of this warning is that no one, on the plea of zeal for the ark of God's Church, should resort to doubtful expedients aud unlawful means for the attainment of his end" (Wordsworth). IL A SERIOUS EBBOB. "Uzzah reached forth to the ark of God, and took hold of it." The Levites (of whom Uzzah was one) were to carry it on staves; but" not touch any holy thing, lest they die" (Numb. iv. 15). His error was practical; though in itself trivial, a direct breach of the legal requiremeut; and (as is often the case with an apparently insignificant act) indicated an unsanctified mind. He was "a type of all who, with good intentions, humanly speaking, yet with unsanctified minds, interfere in the affairs of the kingdom of God from the notion that they are in danger and with the hope of saving them" (0. von Gerlach). 1. He acted "unnecessarily, and from the precipitate impul&e of h1,i.IOall nature" (Ewald), unregulated and unrestrained by 011 vr. 1-23.J THE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL. 11i5