Paisleyism Puts Protestantism on a New Cart 3

Paisleyism Puts Protestantism on a New Cart 3

The Confidence of the New Cart

1Chron13:7 & 9 ‘and Uzzah and Ahio drave the cart’ ‘And when they came unto the threshingfloor of Chidon, Uzzah put forth his hand to hold the ark; for the oxen stumbled.’
David and his team, full of enthusiasm for their proposals for the new dispensation, had total Confidence in their new cart. After all they had it carefully constructed, they were very well satisfied with the contents; in general they were confident in their forward looking plans; in their minds they had left nothing to chance, every eventuality was well covered; they were confident that they could deliver their new deal for Israel.

A lot of forward planning had been invested in this new initiative; Uzza, meaning ‘strength’ and Ahio, meaning ‘brother’ were the men entrusted in steering and supporting the new cart. Interestingly these two men were the sons of Abinidab; this was a family affair, it was seemingly the safe option so as to guarantee success. The oxen were there to do the heavy work in moving the whole process forward; but their confidence was shattered at the threshingfloor of Chidon, Chidon means ‘destruction’. They were ill prepared when the judgment of God was executed. ‘Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap’

In the same way, Paisleyism has a lot of Confidence in their new cart initiative; they too have invested heavily in forward planning; they too, seemingly have left nothing to chance. Their new cart of Secularism has been carefully constructed, its contents have been politically manipulated; it’s a family affair that is in charge; Uzza and Ahio are represented in party leader and church leader, where Mr Robinson exhibits political strength and Rev Johnstone shows a safe pair of hands; the oxen are representative of the electorate that are expected to move the whole process forward. Paisleyism evidently has every confidence that their new cart of Secularism will move them on to victory; they would do well to consider what happened to David’s new cart at the threshingfloor. ‘Because there is wrath, beware lest he take thee away with his stroke: then a great ransom cannot deliver thee.’

The subtle steering of Ahio did not prevent the oxen stumbling; the rash and impulsive support that Uzza gave to the Ark of God was foolish in the extreme. Uzza in a moment of utter folly touched the Ark without having regard for a mediator; he had presumed to have his own way, he had imagined that God would give way to his authority. ‘There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.’ Confidence in the new cart of Secularism that Paisleyism is showing off will be shaken when the oxen, that is when the electorate begin to stumble.


Rev Mervyn Cotton (Heb13:6)