There’s a ridiculous rumor we need to put to rest about Oved-Edom.
I’m talking about all the commentary that says he was a Gentile.
Well, folks…
That ain’t the case at all!
Quite the contrary…
Not only was he a Hebrew, but he was also a Levite!
Oved-Edom may be an unlikely name for someone of Hebrew descent…
His Gentile-sounding name could’ve been due to intermarriage.
Yet, I’m telling you the truth!
This homie was a Hebrew!
How do I know?
All you gotta do is check out 1 Chronicles 26.
1 Chronicles 26:1-8 lists the divisions of the gatekeepers and explicitly mentions Oved-Edom and his descendants.
These verses trace his lineage and describe his family’s dedication to the service of the temple.
The chapter situates him among other Levites, particularly within the clan of Korahites and Merarites, who were descendants of Levi and assigned to temple duties.
1 Chronicles 26:4-8 highlights Oved-Edom’s specific role as a gatekeeper, which was a task reserved for Levites.
Here’s the Torah reference substantiating this:
“The Lord said to Moses, ‘Bring the tribe of Levi and present them to Aaron the priest to assist him. They are to perform duties for him and the whole community at the tent of meeting by doing the work of the tabernacle. They are to take care of all the furnishings of the tent of meeting, fulfilling the obligations of the Israelites by doing the work of the Tabernacle. Give the Levites to Aaron and his sons; they are the Israelites who are to be given wholly to him. Appoint Aaron and his sons to serve as priests; anyone else who approaches the sanctuary is to be put to death.‘”-Numbers 3:5-10
Now, what about the part where it calls Oved-Edom a Gittite or a Gathite?
Well, here’s the thing.
Both words are spelled the same in Hebrew.
It’s just a matter of how they’re pronounced.
On top of that, Gath-Rimmon was a Levitical city.
That’s right!
It was one of the 48 cities set aside for the Levites in Dan’s old territory (Joshua 21:24)…
And the people from Gath-Rimmon were called Gathites.
Although David wasn’t exactly a Torah expert (to put it kindly)…
He certainly knew better not to entrust the holiest object on the planet to some uncircumcised gentile…
Especially after what had happened to Uzah!
Ya feel me?
Later we’ll find out that Oved-Edom’s house was close to David’s headquarters.
So he lived right outside the walls of the City of David in greater Jerusalem.
What’s inspiring is that Oved-Edom’s role in guarding and caring for the Ark confirmed his qualification as a Levite under the Torah.
After three months, David got word that not only was Obed-Edom and his family safe, but they were blessed—big time!
What was the blessing?
In 1 Chronicles 26, we learn that Obed-Edom had 8 sons.
This big boost in children was likely seen as a sign of God’s blessing because the Ark was with them.
Well, that was all David needed to hear.
He wanted that blessing for his own family.
On top of that, it seems like David engaged in a little Torah study during those three months.
Because on his next attempt to bring the Ark into the City of David, all previous mistakes had been rectified!
The takeaway for today today is pretty much the same as it was yesterday.
When we align our lives with God’s Word…
Peace and harmony results…
And blessings abound…
As they did for Oved-Edom!
See ya all next time.
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