More than anything else, the story of Obed Edom teaches us that God's presence matters.
We tend to focus on peripherals when discussing spirituality and church. Is everything set up the way it should be? Do we have all the right people in all the right places? Do we start and finish on time? Did everyone get through their Bible reading today?
There are biblical disciplines and even some honorable wisdom in being excellent at things. But we often miss the most important question: is God at the center? Is God's presence here?
It all means nothing without his presence, without him at the center.
David and the re-unified Israel learned this when David attempted to return the Ark of the Covenant to Israel. The Ark of the Covenant was the symbol and literal throne of the presence of God during the Mosaic Covenant. The Ark was central to the Holy of Holies in the Tabernacle.
At one point during the reign of King David, the Ark settled at the home of Obed Edom. The resulting blessing and lesson of the presence of God in his house means much to us today.
What Does It Mean that Obed Edom is a Gittite?
When the Old Testament mentions Obed Edom, it highlights that he was a Gittite.
The term "Gittite" likely refers to the city of Gath, which was a prominent Philistine city in ancient times. The Philistines were a non-Semitic people who inhabited the coastal region of ancient Canaan. Like many Canaanites, their culture, language, and religious practices differed from the Israelites. Therefore, when Obed-Edom is referred to as a Gittite, it suggests he had some association with the Philistines. At least, he was from a place with Philistine connections.
The Bible's mention that Obed Edom was a Gittite raises questions about his ethnicity and religious background. The Israelites and the Philistines often conflict in biblical narratives, so finding a Philistine living among the Israelites is unusual. One possible explanation is that Obed Edom might have been a descendant of a Philistine who settled in Israelite territory or a Philistine who converted to Judaism.
The idea of a Philistine converting to Judaism is not unprecedented in biblical history. The Bible records instances of foreigners and non-Israelites, including some Philistines, who became proselytes or converts to Judaism. These individuals often embraced the God of Israel and the Israelite way of life, which included adherence to the Mosaic law and worship at the Israelite sanctuary.
In Obed Edom's case, his family may have aligned themselves with the God of Israel, which would explain their involvement with the Ark of the Covenant.
In the biblical account found in 2 Samuel 6 and 1 Chronicles 13, Obed-Edom takes the Ark into his house and cares for it after a mishap during its transport. The action suggests reverence and respect for the sacred object and the God it represents. The fact that Obed Edom's family thrived when the Ark was in their house was seen as a sign of divine blessing.
Obed Edom's story also underscores a broader theme in the Bible: the inclusivity of God's covenant. It highlights that individuals from different ethnic backgrounds and origins could become part of the Israelite community through faith and obedience to God's commandments. This inclusivity is reflected in various biblical passages emphasizing the importance of treating foreigners and converts with kindness and fairness.
Why Does David Send the Ark to the Home of Obed Edom?
The Ark was a sacred chest containing the tablets of the Ten Commandments and was considered the most holy symbol of God's presence among the Israelites. It was kept in the Tabernacle, a mobile sanctuary, and later in the Temple in Jerusalem. When David became king of Israel, the Ark was being kept in a place called Balaah, in the territory belonging to the tribe of Judah. As the king of Israel, David claimed Jerusalem as his capital city and sought to bring the Ark there.
The initial attempt to transport the Ark to Jerusalem, as described in 2 Samuel 6, ended in tragedy. As the Ark was being transported on a cart, it began to wobble, and Uzzah, one of the men accompanying it, reached out to steady it. God struck Uzzah dead for this irreverent act, which David perceived as God's anger. This event made David fearful, and he temporarily abandoned his plan to bring the Ark to Jerusalem, the new capital city he hoped to establish.
David then sought guidance from the Lord on how to proceed. He realized that he had not followed the proper procedures for transporting the Ark outlined in the Mosaic law. According to the law, the Ark was supposed to be carried by the Levites using poles inserted through rings on its sides, not transported on a cart. David acknowledged his mistake and decided to rectify it.
David's decision to send the Ark to the home of Obed Edom was motivated by several factors. First, Obed Edom was likely a devout worshiper of the God of Israel, as evidenced by his willingness to receive the Ark into his home. David might have perceived Obed Edom as a trustworthy and faithful custodian of the sacred Ark. Second, a simple and practical reason: the death of Uzzah happened close to Obed Edom's house.
This was a temporary measure, however. David took this time to get his heart right and ask God about Uzzah's death. David was passionate about the worship of God and wanted to ensure that the Ark was transported with the utmost reverence and obedience to God's instructions. The incident with Uzzah made him realize the importance of following the correct procedures in the law.
How Long Does Obed Edom Keep the Ark at His Home?
After the unfortunate incident involving Uzzah, David decided to halt the Ark's journey to Jerusalem and redirected it to the home of Obed Edom. David sought to ensure that the Ark was transported correctly and following the Mosaic law, and he needed time to reevaluate his approach.
The Bible tells us that the Ark remained in Obed Edom's house for three months. The detail about the time appears in 2 Samuel 6:11:
"The ark of the Lord remained in the house of Obed Edom the Gittite for three months, and the Lord blessed him and his entire household."
This three-month period is a significant detail because it highlights several key points.
When the Ark resided in Obed Edom's home, the Bible clarifies that the Lord blessed Obed Edom and his entire household. This blessing was likely evident in various aspects of their lives, such as their prosperity, health, and overall well-being. It served as a confirmation that Obed Edom was appropriately fulfilling his role as a custodian of the sacred Ark.
The three-month duration allowed David and the Israelites to evaluate the situation carefully. They wanted to ensure that the Ark's relocation would proceed without further incidents and that they followed God's commands regarding its transportation.
Also, preparations were likely made to resume the journey of the Ark to Jerusalem. David would have organized a proper procession involving the Levites and priests, as prescribed by the Mosaic law, for the transportation of the Ark.
After three months, David resumed his efforts to bring the Ark to Jerusalem. This time, he took great care to follow the correct procedures in the law. The Ark was carried by the Levites using poles, and the journey was accompanied by music and celebrations.
The eventual arrival of the Ark in Jerusalem marked a joyous and festive occasion for the Israelites, as it symbolized the presence of God among them and the centralization of worship in their newly established capital city.
When Does the Ark Leave the Home of Obed Edom?
The specific moment when the Ark left Obed Edom's home is not explicitly detailed in the biblical accounts. However, the narrative in 2 Samuel 6 and 1 Chronicles 13 suggests that after three months of blessings and preparations, David and the Israelites made another attempt to transport the Ark to Jerusalem.
It's important to note that this time, they were meticulous in following the correct procedures for moving the Ark, as laid out in the Mosaic law. The Levites carried the Ark on poles, and the procession had a spirit of reverence and obedience.
During the journey, there was an incident involving David's wife, Michal, who criticized him for his exuberant dancing before the Ark. Michal was his first wife and Saul's daughter, whom David had supplanted as the king per the direction and will of God. Michal had been given to another husband when David was in the wilderness and exile. David forced her to return to him as part of the peace agreement between Israel and Judah when he became king over the whole nation. Her anger and criticism are likely due to her connection to Saul's family line and her other husband.
This episode, while not directly related to the departure of the Ark from Obed-Edom's home, is part of the broader account of the Ark's relocation and underscores the significance of this event in the Israelite religious and cultural context.
What Can Christians Today Learn From the Story of Obed Edom the Gittite?
The story of Obed Edom is a lesser-known narrative in the Bible, but since every word of the Scripture is God-breathed and inspired, we can find important lessons from his narrative. Here are a few.
- God Rewards Obedience. Obed Edom didn't hesitate to accept the Ark into his home. His willingness to obey God's command, even in the face of the tragedy that had just occurred, highlights the importance of obedience in the Christian walk. Obedience to God's will often leads to His blessings. The blessings on Obed Edom's household didn't come from his ethnic lineage or heritage. He was from a line of enemies, the Philistines, of whom Goliath hailed! But God rewards faithfulness and obedience no matter our background or past.
- God's Presence Brings Blessings. When the Ark was in Obed Edom's house, he and his household experienced God's blessings. This demonstrates that having God's presence in our lives can lead to blessings beyond our imagination. In the New Testament, Christians are reminded that they are temples of the Holy Spirit, emphasizing the ongoing presence of God in believers' lives.
- God's Blessings Extend to Generations. Obed Edom's entire household was blessed when the Ark was with them. This underscores the idea that God's blessings are not limited to individuals but often extend to their families and descendants. It encourages Christians to live faithfully, knowing their actions can impact future generations.
- Perseverance in Worship: Obed Edom's story teaches us the importance of persevering in worship and maintaining reverence for God. Despite the initial tragedy, David brought the Ark to Jerusalem with reverence and worship. Christians today are encouraged to approach worship with reverence and humility, recognizing the holiness of God.
Nothing is more important than the presence of God. With God's presence comes blessing and power, and as disciples of Christ, we have been given a greater gift than the Ark of the Covenant. God's presence isn't on an inanimate object in our homes but in our hearts, dwelling with us, one with us. What a gift! What blessings are promised to us with such an indwelling Spirit who loves us.
Peace.
Photo Credit: 1896 illustration by Paul Hardy via Wikimedia Commons
This article is part of our People of Christianity catalog that features the stories, meaning, and significance of well-known people from the Bible and history. Here are some of the most popular articles for knowing important figures in Christianity:
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