Key Text: 2 Samuel 6:1-11

The problems began when they placed the ark on a cart drawn by oxen, instead of transporting it on the shoulders of the Levites as God had instructed in Numbers 7:9.

Twenty years the arc had been in the house of Abinidab. 1 Samuel 7:2

Maybe some of us are ‘Uzzah’ who may have become overly familiar with it while it remained in his father’s house for twenty years.

During the three months that the ark was in the possession of Obed-Edom, the Lord blessed Obed-Edom and his entire household 1 Chronicles 13:13–14

We can suppose from this that Obed-Edom was a God-fearing man and showed proper reverence for the ark and remember we are not just talking about a big golden box with oversized angels on top. The arc was the representative presence of God here on earth.

Obed-Edom is an example to us that God is fully aware of those whose hearts are wholly His. 2 Chronicles 16:9 and He delights to bless those who honour Him 1 Samuel 2:30 rebuking Eli…I promised that your house and the house of your father should go in and out before me forever,’ but now the Lord declares: ‘Far be it from me, for those who honour me I will honour, and those who despise me shall be lightly esteemed.

Later on in that same chapter of Samuel God points us to Jesus 1 Samuel 2:35 And I will raise up for myself a faithful priest, who shall do according to what is in my heart and in my mind. And I will build him a sure house, and he shall go in and out before my anointed forever. Despite knowing about Uzzah’s fate, Obed-Edom welcomed the ark and seemed to have no reservations.

We have to invite the presence into the environment of our circumstances

In fact as a godly man, Obed-Edom had nothing to fear. The wicked flee when no one pursues but the righteous are bold as a lion. Proverbs 28:1 We are called to fear God but not to be scared of God. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight. Proverbs 9:10

Those who are scared of God run away from Him, those who fear God are drawn to Him in awe and wonder.

We get to know God by looking at Jesus And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us and we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.John 1:14

More than a thousand years before the cross Obed Edom by faith was required to throw himself on the grace of God. Common Grace God loves everyone. So, there is a common grace that He extends all people whether they acknowledge Him or not.

Sustaining Grace in those times of trial and suffering, Jesus says, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness’ 2 Corinthians 12:9 And the Bible says, ‘Let us therefore draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need.’  Hebrews 4:16  God sustains us.

Bible speaks of us being changed from one degree of glory to another 2 Corinthians 3:18

Obed Edom hosts the presence of the Lord for three months and we might be forgiven if we think this is the only time he is mentioned but he is mentioned on three other occasions.

  • 1 Chronicles 15:18 – Gatekeeper
  • 1 Chronicles 15:21 – Musician
  • 2 Chronicles 25:24 – Treasurer

We can’t know for sure that this was the same Obed Edom that had hosted God’s presence but it is reasonable to assume Obed Edom had fallen in love with God’s presence. The thing that binds the three roles together is that they all centred around the arc which was now hosted in the temple. Having experienced the blessing of being close to the presence, he had learned that nothing else and nowhere else could satisfy him.

He would do anything to get as close as he could to the presence of God again. Look at Psalm 84:1-12

When we learn to host God’s presence in our homes it releases the secret that Obed Edom had learned. It releases joy, stirs us to praise and draws us to His presence.