Scripture Reading: Hebrews 12:6-9
"The Lord knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity. Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, 0 Lord, and teachest him out of Thy law" (Psalms 94:11, 12). Man has always required correction, discipline and punishment because by nature he is disobedient and rebellious. Adam was clearly instructed by God: "But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die" (Gen. 2:17). But Adam disobeyed and God punished him.
God specificially instructed Moses and Aaron regarding the tabernacle furnishings and all materials related thereto: "And when Aaron and his sons have made an end of covering the sanctuary, and all the vessels of the sanctuary, as the camp is to set forward; after that, the sons of Kohath shall come to bear it: BUT THEY SHALL NOT TOUCH ANY HOLY THING, LEST THEY DIE" (Num. 4:15). This instruction was just as valid when David set about to bring the ark to Jerusalem from Gibeah.
"And when they came to Nachon's threshing floor, Uzzah put forth his hand to the ark of God, and took hold of it; for the oxen shook it. And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzzah; and God smote him there for his error; AND THERE HE DIED by the ark of God" (II Sam. 6:6, 7).
The apostolic church required by holy mandate that all possessions of the members of the congregation were to be equally shared. "Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold" (Acts 4:34). But a man and his wife (Ananias and Sapphira) sold their property and contributed to the church only a portion of their gain. For this, both were struck dead.
In this present dispensation God does not inflict punishment in the manner of these examples. But we are even more responsible than our predecessors. God chastens us day by day and moment by moment as we are pricked by conscience, knowing full well that we continually fall short in serving the God of love.
King James Bible
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