How does 2 Samuel 6:11 connect to God's blessings in Deuteronomy 28:2? Setting the Scene: The Ark in Obed-Edom’s House 2 Samuel 6:11: “The ark of the LORD remained in the house of Obed-edom the Gittite for three months, and the LORD blessed Obed-edom and all his household.” Why the Blessing Came • The ark represented God’s manifest presence (Exodus 25:22). • Obed-edom welcomed and honored that presence after the tragedy with Uzzah (2 Samuel 6:6-10). • Right response to God’s holiness opened the door for favor to flow. Deuteronomy 28:2—The Principle in Advance Deuteronomy 28:2: “All these blessings will come upon you and overtake you if you will obey the voice of the LORD your God.” Bridging the Two Passages • Deuteronomy lays out a covenant promise: obey → blessings “overtake” you. • Obed-edom’s household becomes a living illustration. For three months the blessings literally “came upon” and “overtook” his family. • The timeline shows God is not slow; when obedience meets His presence, blessings can be immediate. Key Parallels to Notice • Presence of God – Ark in Obed-edom’s home → tangible presence. – Deuteronomy 28 assumes Israel living under God’s continual presence. • Priority of Obedience – Obed-edom did not treat the ark casually; he ordered his home around it. – Deuteronomy 28:1-2 stresses “carefully follow.” • Comprehensive Blessing – “All his household” (2 Samuel 6:11). – “All these blessings” (Deuteronomy 28:2). • Overflow to Others – Word of Obed-edom’s prosperity spread; David took notice (2 Samuel 6:12). – Deuteronomy’s blessings were meant to make Israel conspicuous among nations (Deuteronomy 28:10). Lessons for Us Today • Welcoming God’s presence is inseparable from obeying His Word. • Blessing is not random; it pursues those aligned with God’s revealed will. • Households, not just individuals, can come under covenant favor (Acts 16:31). • Short windows—“three months”—can transform long-term destiny when God is honored. Supporting Passages That Echo the Connection • 1 Chronicles 13:14—parallel account confirming the blessing. • Psalm 24:3-6—clean hands and pure heart receive blessing from the LORD. • Psalm 16:11—“In Your presence there is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” • John 14:23—Jesus: “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word, and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.” |
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