ATSS: Thandazani Mhlanga, “The Death of Uzzah: Whose Fault Was It?”
9 November 2022 |
Read this essay in preparation for this Adventist Today Sabbath Seminar (ATSS) class.
by Thandazani Mhlanga
I find the story of Uzzah in 1 Chronicles 13:1-11 and 2 Samuel 6:1-8 still as puzzling and perplexing as the first day I heard it. After all, if it weren’t for Uzzah, the ark might have fallen off the cart, which would have been embarrassing, not to mention disrespectful—and perhaps we would now be complaining about Uzzah’s carelessness in not saving the ark!
Maybe this explains why I have never heard a homily on Uzzah. How does one wrap one’s mind around a God of seemingly inexplicable contradictions? In the New Testament, He invites you to partner with Him in sharing the good news; yet in the Old Testament, if you give God a hand, He might take your life!
How does the jury of religious public opinion resolve the case of Uzzah? What do the various interpretations say about God’s character? In this class, we’re going to study this troubling and mysterious story, to try to discover how Jewish and Christian commentators handled its theological ramifications.
Teacher:
Thandazani Mhlanga is a pastor, educator, speaker, and author who is currently studying ancient Near Eastern civilizations at the University of Toronto. Pastor Thandazani and his wife, Matilda, have three girls who are the joy of their lives. His website is themscproject.com.
Moderator:
Loren Seibold is the Executive Editor of Adventist Today, and the founder of the ATSS.
How to join:
One-click link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82871030461
Passcode: The most famous king of Israel, whose first act of bravery was to kill a Philistine giant with a sling while still a boy. FIVE CHARACTERS, ALL CAPS.
ATSS starting time depends on where you are. If you’re on the west coast of the United States, it’ll be 10:30 AM. On the east coast, 1:30 PM. Please calculate the correct time where you live.
The class is intended to last about 2 hours, though the conversation often continues to 4 PM (Eastern time).
About our class:
- The AT Sabbath Seminar is intended to be a courteous forum. We discuss and ask questions politely. We don’t accuse, get angry, or put people down.
- Stick to the topic in both comments and chat discussion.
- Make your comments and questions short—don’t dominate.
- Keep your microphones muted unless you are called upon to make your comment or ask your question.
- Indicate your interest in speaking by raising your electronic hand—under the “reactions” button.
- Please use your name when you sign in! Not your phone number, not your initials. This will help us differentiate you from unwelcome guests who want to disrupt us. You can set your name after signing on by clicking on the 3 dots next to your picture, which drops down a menu.
- If it should happen that we are attacked so that we have to stop the meeting, we’ll quickly post a new meeting link on our AT Facebook page.
We look forward to getting acquainted with you!
Coming up:
- Gerald Winslow
- Jon Paulien
- Bill Knott
- Marko Lukic
- Andreas Bochmann