Some people think they can improve God and His commands. Nadab and Abihu, who were servants of God, offered “profane fire before the Lord, which He had not commanded them.” It was “unauthorized” (ESV). Because of this decision, “fire went out from the Lord and devoured them, and they died before the Lord” (Leviticus 10:1-2).
Uzzah, even though he had the best of intentions, could not improve on God and His word. “So they set the ark of God on a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill; and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drove the new cart” (2 Samuel 6:3). Moses had been very specific in telling how God wanted His ark carried (Numbers 7:1-9; 18:3). The Bible says, “And when they came to Nachon’s threshing floor, Uzzah put out his hand to the ark of God and took hold of it, for the oxen stumbled. Then the anger of the Lord was aroused against Uzzah, and God struck him there for his error; and he died there by the ark of God” (2 Samuel 6:6-7). Uzzah died because he thought He could change the instructions of God, and David later realized his mistake (1 Chronicles 15:12-15).
God has said all through the scriptures to respect what He said (Deuteronomy 4:2; 12:32; Joshua 1:7; Proverbs 30:5-6; Matthew 15:9; Galatians 1:6-9; Revelation 22:18-19). That means we can’t change God’s truth on baptism, the church, or teaching on the end of time. Many believe that whatever God has revealed can be made better, but God is all-knowing and all-powerful. Hannah prayed, “Talk no more so very proudly; Let no arrogance come from your mouth, For the Lord is the God of knowledge; And by Him actions are weighed” (1 Samuel 2:3). God is love and truth. Man is finite and will sin (Romans 3:23). What we really need is a devotion to merely following the Bible, and not trying to change God or improve His will.
Kyle Campbell
