KNOWING GOD ...

In my study of David I came across the portion where David wants to return the ark of covenant to Jerusalem by using the Philistines(flesh) method. The dire consequences off course is that Uzza lost his life, David got scared and send the ark to Obed-Edom's for a period of three months during which God/Jehovah just bless this home.

David as king of Israel were required by the law to hand write himself a copy of the law, the first 5 books of our Bible. It included Leviticus and Numbers where Jehovah gave clear instruction about the care and transport of the ark of covenant. Let me just insert here- He cares a great deal about the details if it is His details. This piece of holy furniture represented the presence of God.

Did David forget about this ordinances or did he think that his familiarity with God excluded him from it. What was he thinking? He must have either forgot the law or disregarded it. Why else would he follow the Philistines (flesh) in handling the presense of God?

Did David know God or did he know Him by His actions? Knowing God by His actions leave a lot to guess work and subjective surmising. How do we get to know God? Can we know Him by His actions alone ? That would not be possible because our minute understanding of this vast, gigantic God is so pea-brain limited. God cannot be fully known by our experience of Him alone.

We have to study the word. Paul said to Timothy: Study to show yourself approved... There is some alone time in study and Berean time in group study neccesary to know God. He has ordained it that we, together with other believers, should know Him. Know God. Knowing just His actions is open to unbelievers, heathen and atheists as well. Know God by what He declares Himself to be, then measure your experience by that.

David later corrected this error and maybe that is part of what made him such a great King; his willingness to be corrected.

For further study try J.I.Packer - Knowing God or J.B. Philips - Your God is too Small.