The reading for:
Sunday, May 5: 1 Chronicles 12-14

These few chapters of Chronicles revisit the Ark’s trip to Jerusalem. What should have been a day full of celebration turns into a day of fear an trepidation.

• The Ark travels from Hebron.
• One of the oxen stumble.
• Uzzah reaches out to protect the Ark.
• God’s anger burns.
• Uzzah is struck down and dies on the scene.

An unfortunate moment for Uzzah, which turns into a blessing for Obed Edom. Wouldn’t you like to have been him? Wouldn’t you like to have your house blessed to be the home of God’s Holy Covenant? Wouldn’t you love to have the Holy of Holies sit in your midst. Wow! What an honor that must have been. For Obed-Edom, it was an honor, and we are told, his family was “blessed” because of it.

Perhaps, if there is anyone in the Bible that I would like to have been, I believe I might choose Obed-Edom. But then, come to think about it, we already have that same blessing that Obed-Edom once had! Saint Paul writes:

Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit.
(1 Corinthians 6:19a)

We are a dwelling place for God. We are the house of God’s Spirit freely given to us. We are blessed much like Obed-Edom as we become the home of the Holy of Holies. That is a true blessing.

May you be blessed like Obed-Edom, and may you remember that God’s covenant is written upon your hearts as the Holy Spirit dwells within.

Peace,
Pastor Bailey

  Our next readings:
Monday, May 6: 1 Chronicles 15-17
Tuesday, May 7: 1 Chronicles 18-21
Wednesday, May 8: 1 Chronicles 22-24