God in the House
We returned home from Orlando today. Even though our flight was delayed our arrival was within 30 minutes of the original schedule. We had our first experience using shuttle services to and from the airport. It actually went pretty well.
We arrived back to Fort Collins mid-afternoon. Enough time to re-orient and get some rest and then head off to a Saturday evening church service. One thing we didn’t anticipate in being gone for an entire week was running out of my supply of routine medications. But, I seemed not to be “worse for the wear” at the end of the day.
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “The Ark of God stayed with Obed-Edom’s family in his house for three months, and the Lord blessed Obed-Edom’s family and everything he owned.” 1 Chronicles 13:14 NCV
The Ark of the Covenant, was the physical symbol of the presence of the Lord among His people. However, it had been away from the Holy of Holies for twenty years. The Ark was taken captive by the Philistines when the armies of Israel presumptuously took it into battle. The Ark in the Philistine camp brought judgment on the people the Philistine’s god.
The Ark was sent back to Israel and ended up in Kariath-Jearim in the house of Abinadab, where his son was assigned the task of guarding the Ark.
David had the right desire, but approached it in the wrong way. As he was bringing the Ark to Jerusalem, it was carried on a cart. When the the oxen pulling the Ark stumbled, Uzzah reached out to steady the Ark and was struck dead. In his confusion and anger, David had the Ark taken to the house of Obed-Edom. And we read that during that time “the Lord blessed Obed-Edom’s family and everything he owned..”
This is a great illustration of the importance of the presence of the Lord and the blessings that it brings to an individual and a family. While his name means “worshiper of Edom” Obed was a Levite of the family of the Korhites. We see Obed had many sons who were all involved in the care of the House of the Lord.
We read that they were musicians who led in the worship of the Lord. We see that the Lord blessed Obed with a large extended family that were all involved in service to the Lord. This was a record of the blessing of the Lord on the family of Obed-Edom. “All these were Obed-Edom’s descendants. They and their sons and relatives were capable men and strong workers. Obed-Edom had sixty-two descendants in all.” (1 Chron. 26:8 NCV)
That description reveals high praise for this family. The task of Obed’s family included guarding the ark and being keepers of the gates. So, we see they were key figures up close and on the perimeter of the Tabernacle, tasked with watching over the presence of the Lord.
We can only speculate what those three months were like for the Obed-Edom and his family. What did all those “blessings on everything he owned” looked like? His house? His animals? His crops? How did Obed-Edom react when David wanted to “try again” to move the Ark to Jerusalem? Did he want to hold on jealously, or was he part of those who discovered the proper way to transport the Ark, so it could return to the center of God’s people and all could be blessed?
What we can simply observe is, “where God’s presence is there is blessing.” That blessing can rest on a family for generations. As God’s presence is valued, and family members take notice, they too want to be a part of having God in the center of their lives. Obed-Edom didn’t appear to jealously protect the Ark for himself, but he and his family became zealous in their commitment to value and protect the Ark in its proper home.
When we are recipients of the blessings the come from the presence of the Lord, we want others to be able to share in those blessing. The blessings of the Lord are without measure. “There is plenty to share.” The prophet declared, “the steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end….” (Lamentations 3:22)
Scripture records that Obed-Edom and his family played flutes and harps. I believe they experienced that truth of scripture that says, “…You are holy, O You who are enthroned upon the praises of Israel.” (Psa. 22:3 NASB)
There are many provisions that parents desire to make for their family. But the greatest “gift” that you can give and possess is the presence of the Lord. Cultivate that through placing a high value on the Lord’s presence in your life and home. Pass that on to your children and share it with others. Allow worship to be present in your life and home. When “God is in the house” all is well.