Jasper County Democrat, Volume 18, Number 15, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 May 1915 — THE CITY OF DAVID-- THE CITY OF GOD [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

THE CITY OF DAVID--THE CITY OF GOD

2 Samuel 6:1-15; Psalm 2!,.—May 30. Jerusalem the New Capital God's Presence Desired—The Ark to Be Brought—Uzzah Slain—Obed-Edom Blessed —The Lesson Learned—The Ark Properly Brought. “Z teas-glad when they said unto me. Let us go into the House of Jehovah.’’—Psalm 12:.1. GUIDED by Divine providence. King David captured Jerusalem, for centuries an impregnable fortress held by the Jebusites, and made it the capital of Israel. One of his first acts was to provide himself a palace befitting the dignity of the nation. To this end he obtained from King Hiram of Tyre material and skilled craftsmen. Then King David prepared to transfer the Ark of the Covenant to'Jerus 10m. King Saul had removed the T:Hiemncie f Mil Nob- to Gibeah, !,;.t. the An; had not been in the Tabernacle for a long time, Eli’s wicked soils had taken it into battle; and it mas captured by the Philistines, Who received chastisements from the Lord until they returned it to Kirjath-jearim. Tliere it remained for seventy years. A Great Lesson In Reverence. Intent upon honoring God, King David had nevertheless neglected to study

the Divine Law -regulating the Ark and its movements. The Divine direction was that the priests should cover the Ark in a particular manner, and that the Le.vltes should bear it upon their shoulder s. Neglecting these instructions, the king had a new

cart made, drawn by oxen. But this was not God's way: a lesson of reverence for the Ark, symbol of God’s character and Ills Mercy-Seat, must be given. The appropriate time came when the oxen, drawing the cart over a smooth, sloping surface, tilted it a little. Uzzah attempted to steady the Ark. and was immediately smitten dead with lightning. This evidence of Divine displeasure terminated the festivities; and the Ark was delivered to the home of Obed-Edom the Levite. The people thus learned reverence—

a lesson seemingly much needed today. Irreverence manifested by the world dbes not astound us so much as does irreverence manifested by those professedly the Lord’s consecrated people. Irreverence of manner, jokes on religious things or on Scripture, etc., are surely injurious to the individual and to his influence with others. The Ark at Obed-Edom’s home brought blessings that attractel King David's attention. Again Lis heart longed that Jerusalem should be the city of G<xl. the Ark and the Shekinah Glory-light indicating the Divine presence. When King David v. as again ready to bring up the Ark. he used the Diviijely directed method. Besides thousands of warriors and multitudes of people, there were musicians, who joyfully manifested appreciation of the great t-vent: and the Levltes chanted responsively a Psalm which King David composed for the occasion—Psalm 24. The kinz himself joined in this manifestation of de’.i-ht. and danced before the Ark.

As the procession neared Jerusalem? it was met by the women of the city with rejoicing. At their head should have been Michal, King David's wife. On his return home she reproved him sharply for his manifestations of joy. The king reminded her that the Lord had taken the kingdom from her father. and had given it to him. Apparently the proud woman was thereafter left to herself, the bare mention -being made that she was thenceforth childless. The Psalm Was Prophetic. As the Ark represented Christ, so the bringing of the Ark into Jerusalem corresponds to our receiving Christ. AH such realize that "the earth is the

Lord’s, and the fulness thereof”— that every good and perfect gift Cometh down from t !i e F a t he r through the Son. The world anil all dwelling therein are subjects of those blessings. God is founding His New Order of things amidst seas

of discontent —the restless masses. He invites us to ascend into His Holy Hill, His Klngdonl, and to be established in His Holy Place—the spiritual Divine nature. None can be of this class except on condition of pure heart and clean hands—righteous living to the best of his ability. These are all expected to swear allegiance to God. Jesus was the first of these Covenanters; and the Church must walk in His steps, if they would be with Him in His Kingdom. These must not lift up their soul to falsehood nor swear deceitfully. God will require all that they have covenanted. Only such will receive His blessing and righteousness imputed through Christ Then follows the declaration that the Children of Israel are those who seek the Lbrd, and who request that the King of Glory come in. We still await His entrance. He declares that He shall be revealed to the world in flaming fire—“a Time of Trouble.” Then quickly His mighty power will deliver from Satan, sin and death.

King David Dancing.

The Ark of the Covenant.