Uzzah and the Ark

The saga of Uzzah and the ark is often cited as evidence of the capricious nature of the God of Scripture, or maybe just of the God of the Old Covenant. This would presumably be in favor of the more rational, loving God of the New Covenant, or some other squishy substitute. Let's review. David is occupying his new home at Jerusalem. He decides it is a good idea to bring the ark of the Covenant up to the new capital and so he orders it be done. The ark is set on an ox cart and begins its long trip up to the city. While on its way, it begins to slip off of the cart and poor Uzzah sticks his hand out to steady the ark. BLAM!! God strikes Uzzah dead and nobody has any idea why Uzzah died.
Well, not quite. Let's back up. God tells Moses to build an ark of testimony for the people. This ark is to be made of acacia wood and overlaid with gold. It is to have a solid gold top called the Mercy Seat on which are placed two golden Cherubim with outstretched wings over the seat. This Mercy Seat is the top of the ark of testimony. The ark also has gold rings on its sides through which poles are placed so that that the Levites can carry the ark wherever it needs to go. The tablets of the covenant are to be placed in the ark as well as manna (showing God's provision and providential care) and Aaron's staff which budded showing who was to lead the people. This ark is to go wherever the tabernacle goes and is the very heart of the worship of Old Covenant Israel. It is, of course, a copy of something in the heavenly places (see Hebrews 9 and 10).
But this is where things get tricky. David put the ark on an ox cart. It was not being carried by Levites as was commanded. But it was faster or easier, you might say. Great! Was this the way God commanded His seat to be carried? Was this the way He indicated He wanted to be worshipped? Any old way we want to?
When Uzzah reached out and touched the ark with his hand, he was in direct disobedience to the command of God concerning the ark. Only the Levites were to carry it and then only using poles through golden rings aside the ark itself. It was not in David's or anyone's prerogative to transport the ark however they wished. Uzzah did not follow directions, and like Nadab and Abihu, he paid the penalty for disobedience.
But surely God overreacted, right? Not even slightly. Read the passages in the latter part of Exodus about what the priests had to wear to go into God's presence. They wore garments that essentially made them look as close to the tabernacle as they could. Think of this a camouflage. The priests of the Old Covenant had to be clothed in the garments of the tabernacle much as we in the New Covenant are clothed in the righteousness of Christ.
Uzzah did wrong and we need to understand that God cares how He is worshiped. We are not free to do whatever we want. We must worship Him as He comands. Uzzah is a prime example of this priciple laid down clearly or us to see.