rule - er

Consecrate yourselves, you and your brothers, so that you may bring up the ark of the LORD, the God of Israel, to the place that I have prepared for it. Because you did not carry it the first time, the LORD our God broke out against us, because we did not seek him according to the rule.

 

1 Chronicles 15:15

David tells the Levites, a tribe set apart for full-time worship, to cleanse themselves. This would have been an outward process which under the new covenant we walk through internally. It involves, at the least, asking the LORD to examine our hearts. And here David says, and your brothers, bringing community into mind. Why community? Partly, because, in Christ, we are one. 

Then David reminds them that the first attempt failed because of disobedience. People died. Read it here. It seems so harsh (an understatement) to us today. I think about how critical to our lives, though, is the fear of the LORD. 

Oh dear, and then I see the word “rule”. 

An aside:

As I begin this reflection there is a dog curiously sniffing around the porch where I sit. My concern is probably clear. I would rather he not do his business right here where I will am planted. This concern is heightened because earlier this week the trees right near were fertilized with abono that contained pig poop. When the sun hit the…well, you know. So as I attempt to communicate with the dog that he should search elsewhere I see that he clearly doesn’t take me seriously. I resort from speaking him to him in English to speaking to him in Spanish. I clap my hands twice and tell him to go. He abruptly sits and looks at me expectantly. He knows this command, this rule. I have to turn my back and laugh. That’s what we should do with kids, it may not be necessary with dogs. Nevertheless, I did. Now I had a weapon, now I knew that I was dealing with a trained obedient perro. I lower my voice and speak with authority, in Spanish, and tell him to go home. He did it!!!! I feel victory :-). 

Back to the word "rule." Why does it scream at me when I read it in this verse? Sore spot. Check your heart, Tkay. 

I think of Jesus and the many times he broke the rules like when he plucked heads of grain on the Sabbath. Under the new covenant we live by grace, do rules still apply? Yes, we should still be obedient. 

My Father, thank you for your Son. Thank you for a new covenant made through Christ. Search my heart, O God. Are there rules that I am breaking? I know that they are in place for my good and for your glory. Forgive this still rebellious heart which really loves to break rules Make me rule-breaker that only shines light on your Son. In Jesus Name.