Jason Horsler Poet Rhyme

Notes About The Poem

The story of Uzzah and the Ark of the Covenant is found in 2 Samuel 6:1-7 and 1 Chronicles 13:9-12. As the ark was being transported, the oxen pulling the cart stumbled, and a man named Uzzah took hold of the ark. God’s anger burned against Uzzah and He struck him down and he died. Uzzah’s punishment does appear to be extreme for what we might consider to be a good deed. However, there are the reasons why God took such severe action.

WHEN MUD WAS BETTER THAN MAN

In its place, not on a cart, 
   rutted and mixed with dung;
consistent too, in its purpose
   as it was when the world was young.
No shame attached that from it came
   fell man who disobeyed.
Man, who needed an ark and law;
   who brought the curse and strayed.
The ox had stumbled in the mud;
   the ox who pulled the cart,
which, though brand new and garlanded,
   should not have played a part
in returning the holy object;
   and as it slid to fall to the road,
Uzzah thought his hand more pure
   and reached to steady the load.
Profane flesh touched pure gold
   instead of wet chaste earth;
when a man thought too much of himself;
   too much of his own worth.
He died right there with good intent,
   and cheering turned to mourning
when mud was better than man
   and God gave us His warning.

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