I’ve been thinking a lot lately about Obed-Edom. Ever since I read about the Ark of the Covenant being left at his house for three months, his name pops off the page every time I read it. Today was no exception. When I read about him today in 1 Chronicles 26, I realized how much of a blessed man this Obed-Edom really was. 

We first read about Obed-Edom when the Ark was left at his house because David was afraid to try moving it again. We read in 2 Samuel 6:11 that “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 (NIV). I doubt that David would have left the Ark just anywhere. We can figure that Obed-Edom must have been doing something right already to have it dwell with him and his family for three months. 

As I’ve been reading about Obed-Edom, I’ve been putting together a resume of sorts about him. We know he was a gatekeeper from 1 Chronicles 15:18, and we also know that he played the harp (cf. 1 Chronicles 15:21). What struck me today was this verse from 1 Chronicles 26.

Ammiel the sixth, Issachar the seventh and Peullethai the eighth. (For God had blessed Obed-Edom.) (emphasis added)

1 Chronicles 26:5 (NIV)

Verse 5 lists off Obed-Edom’s sons. A couple of verses later, we read that Obed-Edom had 62 “strong” and “capable” male descendants. When I read that, I thought, That’s a lot, but then I got to this verse:

From the Hebronites: Hashabiah and his relatives—seventeen hundred able men—were responsible in Israel west of the Jordan for all the work of the Lord and for the king’s service (emphasis added)

1 Chronicles 26:30 (NIV)

1,700! Wow, but then I read this verse.

Jeriah had twenty-seven hundred relatives, who were able men and heads of families, and King David put them in charge of the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh for every matter pertaining to God and for the affairs of the king (emphasis added)

1 Chronicles 26:32 (NIV)

2,700! Ding, ding, ding! Jeriah is the winner! Or is he?

Verse 5 tells us that Obed-Edom had been blessed by God. We also know from 2 Samuel 6:11 that he and his entire household were blessed by the Lord. Yet, we read that Obed-Edom only had 62 male descendants, in contrast to 1,700 or even 2,600. I’m going to take a wild guess and say that Obed-Edom didn’t look around him, at the other guys who may have had more than eight sons, and think of himself wanting. He was a humble guy who was thankful for everything the Lord did for him and his family. 

As a gatekeeper, Obed-Edom had to be alert. I’d reckon that he was also humble, considering he probably spent a lot of time out of the limelight. However, he also had to be trustworthy and faithful. Guarding the gate in the house of the Lord was a big deal. As a harpist before the Lord, he would have also been humble. People were there to worship God, not pay attention to the musicians. If you’ve ever been somewhere with a harpist, you’d have noticed that they’re usually very unobtrusive. 

Unlike Obed-Edom, we could be tempted to look at how God has blessed others. If we’re not careful, we might think less of what we have. Sort of like the man who cried because he didn’t have any shoes until he found a man with no feet. As Christians, we should be “thankful in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV). This verse isn’t just something we think of when circumstances are “bad.” It’s something that should dictate our daily mindset. And when it comes to other people’s blessings, we should rejoice with them and not think anything less of our blessings. 

Do you know God? God knows you, and he loves you. He sees you as significant because you are. No one is insignificant to Him. He’s with you today, and he wants you to know him. Jesus died for your sins and mine so we could be free of guilt, be free from death, and live eternally with him. Eternal salvation is just a prayer away. 

Pray this prayer with me to accept the gift of salvation today:

Lord Jesus, forgive me for all my sins. I repent from my ways. Wash me in your blood and cleanse me from all unrighteousness. I believe that you died on the cross, were buried, and on the third day, God the Father raised you from the dead. Right now, Lord Jesus, I open the door to my heart, and I receive you into my heart as my Lord and personal Savior. Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, then congratulations! You are on the first step of a brand new life. Allow me to be the first to welcome you to my family, the family of God. There are abundant resources available online for new Christians. You can visit here for more information on what to do next. You can also leave me a comment, and I’ll do my best to help you on the next step of this incredible journey.

Advertisement