The whole assembly agreed to do this, because it seemed right to all the people. – 1 Chronicles 13:4

Today's Scripture Reading (May 20, 2022):  1 Chronicles 13

Orthodoxy (right belief) and orthopraxy (right action) are sometimes entwined in a desperate battle in our lives. And the unfortunate truth is that often, at least in our minds, orthodoxy trumps orthopraxy, which is regrettable. When right belief and right practice are at war with each other, the result is that neither can win. Because the truth is that both are needed, both are required if we want to lead God-fearing lives.

And yet we often sacrifice orthopraxy and depend on orthodoxy. We know that lying is wrong, yet we pad our resumes because we believe that if we are truthful, we will never get the job we want. We know that love is important, yet we still hold those around us who are different from us in disdain. We know that God wants the best for us, yet we still sin because we think we know better. In each case, we believe right things, but we fail to do what is right, and as a result, what we believe fails to make a difference in our world

David has decided that he wants to bring the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. But that is not really where the Ark belonged. It belonged in the tabernacle, which at the time was likely located at Nob. But it was all part of David's plan. He had already made Jerusalem the center of secular power in Israel, but that was only part of what David wanted to accomplish. He intended to make Jerusalem the center of spiritual worship as well. In David's mind, Jerusalem would eventually become the most important city in Israel, if not one of the most important cities in the world.

The people agreed that bringing the Ark to Jerusalem was a good idea. The support of the people was essential to David's plan. And there was nothing wrong with the idea of bringing the Ark to Jerusalem. The Ark was supposed to be at the center of religious worship in Israel; it had been on the sidelines of Israel's worship since the days of Samuel, long before the days of Saul. It was long past time for the Ark to be brought back to the center of Israelite consciousness, and Jerusalem was a much better place for the Ark than the place where it had resided over the past few decades.

It was an orthodox thought, but the problem was that no one had inquired of God as to how the Ark of the Covenant should be brought back. The orthodoxy of the move might have been in order, but they didn't realize that there was a right way and a wrong way to carry the Ark. If they had inquired of God, a sad chapter in the history of Israel could have been avoided. But because no one bothered to ask God or even consult the holy writings, this event would not have the happy ending that David and the people had anticipated. And even the support of all the people was not enough to change that outcome. 

Tomorrow's Scripture Reading: 1 Chronicles 14

Personal Note: Happy Birthday to my wonderful daughter-in-law, Michelle.