When studying the life of David we are always perplexed and vexed when we come to Uzzah and Ahio, sons of Abinadab being struck dead by the LORD for touching the Ark of the Covenant to keep it from falling off the cart into the dirt. We think that was awfully strong punishment for an innocent mistake, after all they were only trying to help.
But the mistake was far from innocent, or at least, it shouldn't have been innocent. Abinadab was a Levite, his sons were Levites. Look at Numbers 18:5
“You are to be responsible for the care of the sanctuary and the altar, so that my wrath will not fall on the Israelites again. 6
I myself have selected your fellow Levites from among the Israelites as
a gift to you, dedicated to the LORD to do the work at the tent of
meeting. 7 But only you and
your sons may serve as priests in connection with everything at the
altar and inside the curtain. I am giving you the service of the
priesthood as a gift. Anyone else who comes near the sanctuary is to be
put to death.”
In the very beginning the Levites had been given the responsibility for caring for the tabernacle and the ark. God had given strict instructions for transporting the Ark, found in Numbers 4:4, 15, 17-20:
Abinadab should have passed down to his sons the requirements for transporting the Ark. His sons should have know the correct way to not only transport the Ark but how to treat it reverently.
In reading these Scriptures I am awe-struck by the huge responsibility God has given us as parents and grandparents to pass down His law to each generation.
In Deuteronomy 6:6 - 7 God says "These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up."
He was serious! We are to pass down from generation to generation God's Word and the seriousness of abiding by His laws!
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