Baal-Perazim and
Perez-Uzzah
Those are strange sounding words, but don’t let their peculiarity keep
you from reading this article. They are the names of two significant
places in Biblical history, both given their name by king David. A
comparison of the events that led to the naming of these locations
provides a powerful lesson.
Baal-Perazim. When David was at first anointed king over
all Israel, their archenemy, the Philistines, “deployed themselves” in
order to do battle. Even though God had many times shown Himself to be
with David in battle, the king still “inquired of the Lord” before
setting out. “Shall I go up against the Philistines?” he asked God.
“Will you deliver them into my hand.” Only after he had consulted God
and received His authorization did David go out to battle. As a result,
the Lord gave David the victory. David’s conclusion was, “The Lord has
broken through my enemies before me, like a breakthrough of water.” The
Bible then adds, “Therefore he called the name of that place Baal Perazim,” which means “Master of break-throughs.” God had broken through
against Israel’s enemies, and David therefore named this place
accordingly (2 Samuel 5:17-20).
Perez-Uzzah. One only has to go into the next chapter of 2
Samuel (ch. 6) to read how this place got its name. This text records
David’s attempt to bring the ark of the Lord from Baale Judah to
Jerusalem. David and the people “set the ark of God on a new cart”
and
advanced in grand procession to the capital. On the way, however, a
tragic circumstance occurred. The oxen pulling the cart stumbled, and a
man named Uzzah put forth his hand to steady the ark of the Lord. When
he did “God struck him there for his error; and he died there by the ark
of God.” [Note: it had been known for centuries that no one was to touch
the ark, Numbers 4:15.] When David saw what had happened to Uzzah he
became angry; “and he called the name of the place Perez Uzzah,” which
means “Outburst or Breaking out against Uzzah” (2 Samuel 6:1-8).
In the naming of each of these two places, “Perez” (or a form of the
word) was used. “Perez” literally means “a breaking out” or “breaking
against” In one circumstance, David used a form of the word in honor of
God, who “broke out against” Israel’s enemies. In the second
circumstance, David used a form of the word as a way of remembering a
time when God broke out against His own people (specifically, Uzzah).
What made the difference? The difference was in David’s
consultation of God (or lack thereof). Recall that before the first
event (going to battle), David had “inquired of the Lord” before setting
out. But before his procession with the ark, David had not conferred
with God. He later admitted that this was the reason for God’s outbreak
against them. Telling the Levites that they were to “carry the ark,”
(not
transport it on a cart), David said, “For because you did not do it the first time, the Lord our God broke
out against us, because we did not consult Him about the proper order“
(1 Chronicles 15:2, 12-15). What made the difference between God
“breaking through” against Israel’s enemies on the one occasion, and God
“breaking out” against Israel on the other? With one circumstance God
was consulted -- with the other, God was not.
What will it be for you and me? Will God give us the
victory over our spiritual enemies or, because we have gone ahead
without consulting Him, will God “break out against” us?
The only way we can consult God is by reading and understanding His word
(Romans 10:17). If we hear His words and obey them He will count us as
wise people and treat us favorably (Matthew 7:21-27). But if we forge
ahead in spiritual matters without receiving His authorization, we do
“not have God” (2 John 9). That’s a simple Bible principle, but
so important to understand and apply.
--Mike Noble
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