We have the honourable testimony which God the Holy Ghost gave of this man, 2 Samuel 6:9-12; and again recorded, 1 Chronicles 13:13-14. And his numerous family, 1 Chronicles 26:4-5. His name is compounded of Obed, slaveand Edom, or the Idumean. But as Obed-jah, the prophet, was called the slave or labourer of the Lord, so Obed-edom, the slave of the Adam or Edom, the earth or earthy, was eminently the Lord's chosen for that peculiar service of receiving the ark, when David himself trembled on the occasion.
But I hope the reader, in beholding the blessing of the Lord upon Obed-edom and his house, for the ark of God's sake, will not overlook the cause. That ark was a type of the ever-blessed Jesus. In receiving the ark into his house, into his family, and among his people, he did, to all intents and purposes, receive Christ into his heart, and like the faithful descendant of the faithful Abraham, "saw the day of Christ afar off, rejoiced, and was glad."
Obed-edom was no stranger to the dreadful consequences which had fallen on the Philistines for their daring impiety, in taking the ark of God, and detaining it. He could be no stranger to the awful death of Uzzah, for touching it presumptuously; for, no doubt, it was in every one's mouth. Nay, he could not but know that the reason wherefore David wished Obed-edom to take the ark into his house was, because he was afraid to take it into his own. What was it then, that prompted the mind of this pious faithful Gittite to receive the ark of God under such alarming circumstances? What was it, but thy grace almighty Lord, that taught him to rejoice in thee and thy favour, while others were trembling under thy judgments? Oh! the blessedness of' distinguishing grace, which makes that to thy people "a savour of life unto life," whilst to others it becomes"a savour of death unto death." Three whole months was Obed-edom favoured with the abode of the ark. No doubt, the tokens of the divine presence were so visibly bestowed upon this man and his household, that the whole neighborhood, yea, the whole kingdom, could not but take notice of it; for it is said, "that it was told king David, saying, the Lord hath blessed the house of Obed-edom, and all that pertained to him, because of the ark of God," 2 Samuel 6:12.
Hear this ye parents, masters of families, and guardians of houses, interested in your own present and everlasting welfare, and that of your young ones of the rising generation. Behold the blessedness in Obed-edom, and all that pertained to him, for receiving the ark of God into his house. And observe the special time when this was done. It was when others trembled, he was made hold with an holy boldness. When none ventured to serve the interest of God, and to receive his ark, he was faithful.
And what is it now? If that ark was a type of Christ, who are they that may be said to be faithful in the midst of the present perverse and crooked generation, but they who receive Christ Jesus the Lord into their hearts, and houses, and families, whilst others despise him! Who are the Obed-edoms of the present day, but such as receive Christ Jesus the Lord, and walk in him, and live to him, and rejoice in him, as the Lord our Righteousness! And if there ever was a day of peculiar blessedness, for the manifesting this distinguishing love to Jesus and his cause, surely the present is the one. Oh! for grace, therefore, that while the ark of God, the Christ of God, is shut out of such numberless houses in this adulterous and sinful generation, many an Obed-edom may yet be found in our British Israel to welcome the Lord Jesus to their hearts, and he, and he alone, be formed there the hope of glory. Hail Obed-edom, thou faithful servant of thy Lord! Ever will thy memory be blessed in the church; and when the temple of God is opened again in heaven, as it was to the beloved apostle (Revelation 11:19.) and the ark of the Testament is beheld by the whole church, still will it be held in everlasting remembrance how the Lord blessed the house of Obed-edom upon earth, for the ark of God's sake.