UZZAH WAS A SANGUINE

Uzzah was a sanguine or at least… I imagine he might have been.

You’ve probably have heard of him, the man in the Bible who was struck dead when he reached out to steady the Ark of the Covenant? That guy!

And I’m suggesting that he was a sanguine.

Now, the four temperaments are all vividly represented in Scripture and the Bible does not hide or sanitize them. It gives us people as they are; raw, flawed, human. That’s part of its beauty, and we can see ourselves in the many bible characters.

If you struggle with hot temper, for example, you might see yourself in Moses. If you wrestle with desire and failure, David may feel uncomfortably familiar. If you tend to overthink, hold grudges, or battle inner fears and self doubt, you might see yourself in Jeremiah. The calm, slow-moving, sometimes passive personality, the phlegmatic, can be seen in Abraham.

And then there are the Sanguines: expressive, energetic, people-oriented, and delightfully spontaneous. A Sanguine is never in one place for long-- their thoughts race constantly, with ideas swirling like countless tabs open on a computer, rarely closed. They thrive on movement and change; routine feeling suffocating, even boring. They are always waiting and wishing, often involuntarily, for the next exciting experience. If life doesn’t provide it naturally, they will create it, and if not… well, be careful for they might 'die'.

They are the, 'act first and think later,' personality type.

People like Simon Peter.

People like me.

And may I suggest… people like Uzzah!

All these stories, including the story of Uzzah, I believe, are not there by accident. They act as mirrors, revealing to us who we are and how God deals with us. In fact, may I again suggest, they tell us more about God than about the people themselves.

Stay with me.

Let’s begin with the backstory.

The ark of the covenant had been captured by the philistines during a war with Israel-- God had allowed their defeat as judgement. After capture, they had put it in the temple off Dagon, their god, as though it had triumphed over the true God. However, for seven months, they suffered disease, calamities and disruption as judgement from God (1st Sam 4) and this ultimately made them to send it back.

It arrived at Beth-shemesh in Israel, where it was received with joy, but the joy was short-lived as it quickly turned into mourning. Many of the inhabitants of Beth-shemesh died shortly because they looked into the ark, something they knew they weren’t permitted to. You see, only the high priest, by virtue of his sacred duty, was permitted to approach the Ark of the Covenant, and even then, only once a year, on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur). It was in that solemn moment, within the Most Holy Place of the sanctuary, that he would stand before the mercy seat to make atonement for the sins of Israel.

This was not hidden knowledge. It was a well-known truth among the Israelites, including the people of Beth-shemesh. Yet, in a moment of disregard, they chose to ignore it-- and their disobedience brought judgment upon them.

What makes it even more striking is this: the Philistines, though they did not worship the true God, treated the Ark with a level of caution and reverence. They handled it carefully, never daring to look into it, and in that regard, they were spared, aside from the judgment they faced for their false worship and idolatry.

The people of Beth-shemesh, shaken by the deaths caused when some had dared to peek into the Ark, grew fearful. To protect themselves, they sent it away to Kirjath-jearim, to the house of Abinadab, father of Eliezer, Ahio, and Uzzah, where it remained for many years, perhaps around twenty. During that time, Uzzah may have grown up in its presence, living near it, seeing it regularly. And over the years, what was once profoundly sacred may have begun to feel… ordinary.

Fast forward to the year 1010 BC

20 years later after it arrived at Kirjath-jearim, when David was king and had set to bring the ark to Jerusalem from the house of Abinadab, Uzzah enters the story.

On that fateful day, Uzzah was part of the procession to Jerusalem. He had been CHOSEN together with his brother Ahio to guide the ark. It was no small role. It was an honor and I imagine he must have felt it. I know I would have felt honored. His brother walked ahead, leading from the front, while Uzzah followed alongside the Ark. And I can almost picture him there, caught up in the moment, excited, moving with the rest of Israel and surrounded by music, energy, and celebration. Perhaps his excitement wasn’t only because the Ark was going to Jerusalem, after all, it had been in their household for many years. Maybe, just maybe, it was also the weight of the moment… the attention and the significance of being part of something so visible and so important. Any Sanguine would have been excited to be part of so much energy and important event. An event where, by the Kings decree, instruments of every kind played, the atmosphere charged with purpose and precision. In such an event, being among those entrusted to lead was no ordinary privilege.

Talking about that, I remember something about myself.

One time, a building collapsed near me. Regardless of how busy I was, I rushed to the scene without hesitation, driven by a strong need to witness and be part of the moment, something typical of a sanguine personality. Similar to when Simon Peter managed to find his way into into the courtyard of the high priest while following Jesus after His arrest. I pushed through the crowds until I reached the front, even finding myself near a live TV scene. And when volunteers were called to help with the rescue, I stepped forward. While part of me genuinely wanted to help save lives, I also recognized a desire to be part of something significant and have an experience to tell. By the time I returned home the next day, my spontaneity had cost me some responsibilities, but I had returned with a story, and an experience that many didn't have.

You can imagine, then, how privileged Uzzah must have been. He didn’t have to struggle or push through crowds to get to the front line. He had been APPOINTED to lead the procession. That, in itself, was a great honor. And yet, I can’t help but think, if he had not been appointed, and had a sanguine side to him like I believe he did, he might still have found his way to the front. You mean such a rare opportunity passing through his own town, and he would just let it pass by? How often does something like this happen? The nation’s focus, the resources, the music, the celebration, all centered in one place, and right where he lived? Not often. Moments like that, they don’t come every day and if you’re wired that way, you don’t waste opportunities like that. Again, like Simon Peter, who saw Jesus walking on water and stepped out of the boat to join Him. How often does anyone get the chance to walk on water? Not often and today, we can say, at least in the stories we know, Christ and Peter are the only ones recorded to have done it.

Anyway, back to the story.

Picture Uzzah in the multitude-- his brother at the front, and himself at the back of the Ark. All around him, music. The Israelite musicians are playing hymns on instruments that are rare in his town, creating a vibrant, almost electrifying atmosphere. The attention is on the Ark--and on those chosen to escort it-- and Uzzah knows it. He feels it. He loves it. It reminds me of a viral clip of a drone operator in a village, fully aware that everyone is watching him skillfully maneuver that unusual flying camera. Uzzah must have felt something very similar in the spotlight of a moment that only comes once.

Picture him excited in his chest…. the others are following back. He’s probably waving at some of his friends, and perhaps those who never believed the ark was in their home. He’s probably having one of the moments in my country when we mockingly say ‘Hapa ni wapi, mwalimu wa maths’ to our math teachers who never believed in us. He’s perhaps wondering when the opportunity to lead a chorus would surface for him to showcase his talent in music too, but unfortunately for him, the band seemed well rehearsed.

Suddenly, the cart stumbles and the ark appears as though it’s about to fall, and Mr. Uzzah is standing near it. Consumed in his pride, like most sanguine are, he sees an opportunity to even be greater and make his story more beautiful. He thinks people are watching and he has to act. He thinks about what he can do for God…but really for himself. Another opportunity has risen, an opportunity to be a hero-- an opportunity to touch the ark and he is not used to wasting opportunities. He must act quick or the ark will fall. Like many today would argue, ‘That was the moment the 'cow' falls in the ditch on the Sabbath, and it's lucky he's there to remove it.’

“Perhaps it is by God’s design that He placed me here today, so that I can steady the Ark from falling,” I can imagine him telling himself. “I must help God,” he might have thought, convinced of the urgency and of his own role in this pivotal moment.

Swiftly he stretches out his hand and touches the ark to steady it. What follows is the sound of a heavy object falling. Thup! Everything freezes. The music slows. The celebration halts. The movement stops. The Ark remains steady… but beside it lies the lifeless body of Uzzah.

Uzzah is dead!

.......

What Killed Uzzah?

The Ark?

Did he fall and hit his head from rushing to save the ark?

No.

The Bible says he was struck dead by God.

But the truth is deeper, It was sin.

Though the text says God “struck Uzzah down,” the reality is that God does not kill; sin kills. Interestingly, the same term, “stricken of God", is used in Isaiah 53 when referring to Christ Jesus: He was “stricken” for our sins (Isaiah 53:4–5 KJV).

When we reflect on Scripture as a whole, it becomes clear: sin killed Uzzah. It was his presumption, his lack of true faith, that led to his death. True faith always requires obedience and acting in harmony with God’s Word. Presumption, by contrast, acts according to ones own reasoning or what we call ‘our good ideas.”

How often do we place our confidence in our own 'good ideas', neglecting the clear ‘thus saith the Lord’? How often do we fashion seemingly innocent excuses, merely to indulge ourselves and make sin feel more comfortable?"

May I remind you of Jeremiah 17:9 that warns us of the wickedness of the human heart.

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?”.

Don't you know that "there is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.”? Proverbs 14:12

Uzzah depended on his own self, and though he knew God, he acted according to his own ideas shaped by his temperament, rather than God’s will. This character of self-reliance, which must have developed over time, ultimately led to his death.

You see, twenty years earlier, he had the tragic example of the people of Beth-shemesh, who died because they looked upon the ark. Yet he persisted in a life of disobedience until his time of probation ended. 20 years ago, he had the opportunity to cooperate with the Spirit of God, but tarried until it was too late.

We see this pattern throughout Scripture. Those who trusted in themselves perished:

• Cain, who worshiped God on his own terms instead of following His command.

• Nimrod, who built the Tower of Babel to save himself, ignoring God’s plan.

• Saul, who disobeyed God, thinking he was helping Him by sparing the cattle.

  
  

I’ve often heard people say, “I was born like this,” excusing a character flaw as if it were unchangeable. But when we allow that mindset to take root, it becomes a dangerous comfort. By normalizing our weaknesses and ignoring the promptings of the Holy Spirit, we risk the very life God intends for us.

God is not trying to make you a better version of your temperament. No. He is inviting you into a new life. He has the cure to sin, and He wants you to have it.

“And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. ” emphasis supplied

Matthew 1:21 KJV

• David was impulsive-- but became a man after God’s own heart.

• Moses was once reactive-- but became deeply meek.

• Abraham struggled-- but became the father of faith.

  
  

Do not be stuck at justification oh believer, "be ye transformed..." for the hour of His judgement has come.

Transformation is possible by Jesus Christ.

And guess what, it does not come from trying harder. It comes from surrender to Jesus.

So the question remains:

Will you keep trusting yourself?

Or will you trust God?

Will you try to save yourself or will you surrender all to Jesus?

If your answer is the latter, then perhaps this prayer can be yours:

“Dear Father in Heaven, I confess my sins and my tendency to rely on myself. Today, I ask You to come into my heart and live Your life in me. I surrender my will to You. Wash me, cleanse me, and make me new. Help me to be a Christian not just in name, but in heart. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

Watch out for part 2.