The use of language from Deuteronomy 12

Shows that David understood that God had actually chosen a specific place where he would place his name. It was this that drove David to bring the ark to Zion.

If David had not known that the ark should be carried by the priests -which is unlikely - it is certain that the priests knew what the law required and they would doubtless have told David.

Can we think of a reason why David would do this in contradiction of the express teaching of the law of Moses?

V.2 Baale of Judah is Kirjathjearim (Josh 15:9). It was to Kirjathjearim that the Philistines brought the ark (1Sam 6:21).  Kirjathjearim was nine miles north of Jerusalem.  The journey of the ark to Jerusalem began at the house of Abinadab at Gibeah. 

V.4 Gibeah, near Kirjathjearim, signified a hill.  From there it came to the threshing floor of Nachon.  Nachon is alternatively called Chidon (1Chron 13:9).  Then after the death of Uzzah, the ark resided at the house of Obededom the Gittite for three months. 

Vs.10,11 A Gittite is a resident of Gath.  However, there were several places in Israel which were known by the suffix Gath.  Obededom is believed to have come from Gath-Rimmon.  He was a Levite who is later mentioned as one of the temple gatekeepers (1Chron 26:1-4).

At the foot of the mount Sinai God had strictly warned the people "do not go up to the mountain or touch its base" (Exo 19:12). God's holiness was such that He could not bear the idolatrous people of Israel to touch the mountain He was descending upon. Whilst talking to Moses on the mountain, He suddenly and urgently commanded Moses to go down again in order to stop them transgressing this commandment, saying "Away! Get down... do not let the priests and the people break through to come up to the LORD, lest He break out against them" (Exo 19:24).

The fire and darkness upon that mountain were designed to put fear into the hearts of those present so that they would not approach God without due reverence. The fact that one can approach God is evident by the fact that Moses, Joshua, and other elders of Israel climbed up the mountain unharmed. What all this means is that in order to come to God we must have a proper sense of fear. Again, in Lev 10:1-3 Aaron's sons were consumed with fire because they presumed to know how to approach God, but offered "strange fire" before Him.

In this incident with Uzzah we have exactly the same principle. Uzzah and his brother had kept the Ark for a long time in their father's house. They would have become accustomed to it, and maybe even started to think of it as their ark. Uzzah's action of reaching out to hold the Ark demonstrated a deep seated comfort he had with it, which may long ago have replaced his fear or reverence. It was right, then, in God's sight, that He should "break out" against him as He had promised He would do at the base of Sinai. God's presence was in the Ark just as it had been on that mountain. The lesson for us can be taken that "by those who come near to Me I must be regarded as Holy" (Lev 10:3). What a comfort it is, however, that we now have Christ as our mediator, so that we do not need to fear such outbreaks, but come instead with confidence and boldness before the LORD our Father in prayer (Heb 10:19-22, 12:18-24, 28-29).  Let us therefore  have grace by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and Godly fear.

6:11  We should not think that David had lost interest in bringing the ark to Zion. Rather the death of Uzza had such an effect on David that he took time to think about what to do next.

V.3 David had allowed the ark to be carried on a cart.  This is how the Philistines transported it (1Sam 6:7-14).  The Philistines were ignorant of the ways of Yahweh and not subject to His covenant.  But David should have known that the only acceptable way, to Yahweh, of transporting the ark was manually by Levites (Deut 10:8). 

V.8 After the death of Uzzah, David became angry.  He was not angry with Yahweh but with himself.  His mistake, indirectly, cost the life of Uzzah, which greatly upset him. 

V.13 Notice that when the ark was finally moved into Jerusalem, David made sure that it was done so according to the Law.

6:1  There are a number of echoes of the Philistines taking the ark in this chapter. The first is the 30,000 men that David chose which contrasts with the 30,000 that fell when the ark was taken – 1Sam 4:10

6:8     When David ‘blessed the people’ he was acting the part of the priest who was to bless the nation – Num 6:22-27

Vs.3,6,7,8 Uzzah means strength.  Uzzah was the son of Abinadab in whose house the ark rested for twenty years.  Abinadab was a Levite, therefore, Uzzah was also.  It was the Kohathite branch of the Levites that was responsible for transporting the holy things of the sanctuary (Num 4:15). 

However, if anything was touched, the person who touched it would die. That is just what happened to Uzzah.  As a Levite, he would have known the rules.  However, his knee-jerk reaction to save the ark from damage cost him his life.  Yahweh could not go against His Word.  But, Yahweh, who knows the heart, will have understood the motivation of Uzzah.  Will Yahweh be merciful to Uzzah and restore him to life at the last day?  

6:2 Even though David set about moving the ark in an inappropriate way we should notice that he actually went to Baale of Judah and supervised the moving of the ark. He was heavily involved in the work and not just a commander who gave instructions to others.

V.23 By dancing, David was praising Yahweh, from the heart, for His blessing of kingship.  But, Michal was more interested in monarchical ritual than in praising the one who granted the post.  It was a case of flesh versus the spirit between Michal and David.  Michal’s royal snobbery cost her motherhood, as Yahweh was not pleased with her attitude.

6:4  The mention of Abinnadab’s house reminds us that in 1Sam 7:1 the ark was taken to his house when it was returned by the Philistines.

 6:4 The mention of Abinnadab’s house reminds us that in 1Sam 7:1 the ark was taken to his house when it was returned by the Philistines.

Jeremiah draws Israel's attention to the covenant that their parents had agreed to just before they entered the land.
Quotations and allusions to Deuteronomy

V.21 If Jeremiah had not uttered his prediction, they would not have plotted against him. None were more bitter than his own fellow townsmen. We can see a similiar situation when we compare the conduct of the Nazarites towards Jesus. Luke 4:24-29 

V.14 It was the role of the priest to pray for the people. Yahweh told Jeremiah not to pray for the people.  Yahweh was recognizing Jeremiah as a priest.  Indeed, it seems that Jeremiah came from a priestly line (Jer 1:1).  This line probably extended from Abiathar, who Solomon sent to Anathoth (1Kin 2:26,27).

11:15  In reproving those who rejoice to do evil Jeremiah is quoting Prov 2:14

Vs.21-23 The people from Jeremiah's home town, Anathoth, sought to kill him.  However, Yahweh promised to dispatch these would-be killers.  The year of their visitation (punishment) (KJV) came when the Babylonians overran Anathoth. 

However, Yahweh saw beyond the exile and instructed Jeremiah to buy some land in Anathoth (Jer 32:6-15).  He was signalling a time of restoration for the city. This is borne out by Nehemiah's record of returnees (Neh 7:27; 11:32).

11:8 The ‘covenant’ that the prophet is speaking of is not the one Israel entered into at Sinai. Rather it is the covenant of obedience recorded in Deut 27 - 29

11:7 ‘rising early’ is not saying that the prophet got up early every morning. Rather it is speaking of an attitude of mind which sought to do the things of God immediately. Such an example is seen in Abraham when he went to offer Isaac – Gen 22:3

11:4 ‘from the iron furnace (of Egypt)’ is one of the many quotations in Jeremiah from Deuteronomy – this is from Deut 4:20

Vs.3,4 The Law was a curse if it were not complied with fully (Deut 27:26; Gal 3:10).  If just one of the 613 tenets of the Law was missed, the whole law was considered abandoned (James 2:10).

V.9 The rebellion against Yahweh was not from an isolated source, but from a deliberate, concerted effort to disobey. It was the band of unsanctioned prophets who were at the core of this opposition to Yahweh (Eze 22:25).  Perhaps, we can better appreciate the witness of Jeremiah amidst this dedicated group of false prophets. If these prophets had come together against Yahweh, then they would have surely been hostile to His servant, the only true prophet (Psa 83:5).

V.13 It was not just that there was idolatry in Judah and Jerusalem, but the sheer proliferation of it that was horrendous. The increase of the shame of Judah and Jerusalem was directly proportional to the increase of idolatrous sites.

V.16 As long as Yahweh’s people were attached to Him, they were green (fertile) and would bear good fruit (Psa 52:8). Once they left the nurture of Yahweh, they would shrivel up, be useless, and therefore thrown out to be burned. In this case, it would be the Babylonians who would burn the useless cast-out branches.

The New Testament follows the same theme. John Baptist reminds the Jews to be fertile (Luke 3:8,9).  And, Jesus exhorts His followers to be attached to Him and bear fruit, otherwise they will be cast away and destroyed (John 15:4-6).

How would you feel if the leaders of your Church were to be discovered plotting your death? What if the reason they wanted to kill you was simply because you spoke the truth about God, and they preferred lies? And what if these men and women were your own family? (Jer 11:18-23; 12:1-2, 6; 1:1)

11:3 Josiah was shown a copy of the law which was found in the temple during the reform he instituted – 2Kin 23:24. From the way in which Jeremiah makes repeated use of the quotation from the blessings and cursings of Deut 27 and 28 we might conclude that this was the part of the law of Moses that was found.

22:7 Notice it is 'their' city that is burnt up. In Matt 23:38it is 'your’ city that will be desolate. Even though Jerusalem had been 'the city of the great king' (Psa 48:2) God now no longer viewed it as His city.

Vs.2-7 Jesus came, initially, to save His people Israel (Matt 15:24).  However, the Jews rejected Jesus' invitation to join Him in His marriage feast.  They would be punished and their city burned (Jerusalem 70 AD). 

Vs.9,10 And so, Jesus opened His invitation to the Gentiles (Acts 13:46).  They would be gathered from all over.  As guests to the wedding they would have been given a wedding garment.  It was up to them to put it on. 

Vs.11-13 One person, who was invited, decided not to put his garment on and was unfit to remain at the marriage feast.  He was promptly ejected. 

We all have an invitation to attend Jesus' marriage feast (eternal life).  But we must put on the acceptable clothing (covering).  That garment is Jesus (Gal 3:27).  To ensure that we are properly dressed at all times, we must check to make sure not to soil our garment (Jude 1:23). 

When the king comes in, He will inspect His guests (judgement).  Only those who are wearing the correct garment, which has been kept clean (Rev 3:4), will be allowed to stay.  All others will be ejected.  Out of the many who have received a wedding invitation, some will fail to put on the wedding garment; others will put it on but fail to keep it clean.  After inspection, only a comparative few will be allowed to stay (Matt 22:14).  Let's make sure of where we stand (2Pet 1:10).

22:14 ‘For many are called but few are chosen’ returns to the point that Jesus already made – Matt 20:16. So whilst this parable had been directed against the Jewish leaders Jesus had his disciples in mind as well for that is whom he was speaking to in chapter 20.

22:16-18          The whole event was designed to trap Jesus in his words. They asked a question which they had worked out would trap him whatever answer he gave. Do we ever ask our brethren and sisters questions in order to trap them?

22:23‘The same day’ reminds us that we are still in the day which started in Matt 21:20. This is the longest day recorded in the ministry of Jesus as it does not end until Matt 25:46

Vs.16,17 The Herodians were members of the Jewish aristocracy who followed the principles of Herod Antipas.  This group supported the Roman government.  Their question Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not? was designed to trap Jesus into revealing Himself as seditious against Rome.  He did not fall for their ruse but showed that by obeying the laws of the land one was serving Yahweh (see Titus 3:1).

V.23 The Sadducees were the Jewish noble class.  These aristocrats were the richest and most powerful Jewish sect, and held most of the seats in the Great council (Sanhedrin).  From this elite group came Joseph of Arimathaea (Matt 27:57-59).  In throwing his lot in with Jesus, Joseph would have been ousted from his position of wealth and power (Matt 19:29).

The Sadducees differed with the Pharisees over the question of resurrection. It was this point that the apostle Paul exploited in his defence (Acts 23:6,8).

The Sadducees and Pharisees did not particularly like each other and differed on many doctrinal points. Each group thought that they were the true leaders of Israel.  

A prominent Pharisee, Nicodemus, broke with his party and supported Christ.  He would have given up much to follow Jesus. It was Nicodemus who accompanied Joseph of Arimathaea to Jesus’ tomb (John 19:38,39). Although the Sadducees and Pharisees never got on, ironically, it was the fact that two notable members from each party became untied in Christ. They were prepared to become poor and despised to gain the riches in Christ.

22:23 The Sadducees use of the word ‘master’ is not in any way a recognition of Jesus’ status. Rather they ascribe to him that status so they can show, they thought, that he did not have the credentials of being a teacher.

In v41-46 the Pharisees gather together to trip Jesus up. We should be in no doubt that Jesus' life was in danger here, because the reason for these questions was to "entangle him" (v15). So they, being enemies of Jesus, should have feared when he quoted Psalm 110 to them. By looking at the Psalm, can you see why?