By: Obed Pineda
There is no doubt that the times we currently live in are perilous. Even though it can be denoted that many of the events that have recently arrested the world’s attention are not new, the increase in apathy and unrighteousness is undeniable. The current tense, heated social climate has been ignited by distrust, anger, hatred, and fear undoubtedly flared by mankind drifting further and further away from God. This calamity, however, must not be surprising for verily the Bible foretold “that in the last days perilous times will come” primordially because “evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived” (2nd Timothy 3:1, 13, emphasis added). The astonishing accuracy of the apostle Paul’s inspired warning proves yet again that Holy Writ was inspired by God (2nd Timothy 3:16-17, 2nd Peter 1:16-21). It is imperative, however, to comprehend that the apostle’s intention in unveiling this terrible truth was not to discourage the young apprentice; rather it was to exhort him that he “must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them” (2nd Timothy 3:14, emphasis added). The same is true for the Christian today for “all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” (2nd Timothy 3:12, emphasis added). Once more, the Holy Spirit’s purpose in manifesting this dreadful reality is not to push away man from becoming godly, but instead to be reminded that “narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it” (Matthew 7:14, emphasis added). This vital piece of information concurs with the apostle’s affirmation that those who seek to live a godly life, in Christ Jesus, will not be well received by the bulk of society. Remember that when Paul wrote this epistle, he, too, suffered for the Gospel’s sake, finding himself in chains for preaching to the Gentiles (2nd Timothy 1:8-12). This was not the first time that Paul had found himself a prisoner for Christ, and despite the numerous occasions he underwent brutal torture, he did not cease to preach the Gospel of Christ. Although Paul did feel fear (1st Corinthians 2:3,2nd Corinthians 1:8) he did not allow this fear to deter him from fulfilling his godly obligation assigned to him by the Lord. What allowed the apostle never to freeze from dread was his unmovable conviction, “for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day” (2nd Timothy 1:12b, emphasis added). Too often servants of the great God are frozen in place by panic and lamentably fall short of completing their holy tasks. The ten spies that refused to enter the Canaan because they were afraid of the mighty fortresses and giants they had witnessed there, regrettably died in the wilderness and did not enter the promised land, except for Joshua and Caleb (Numbers 14, Hebrews 3:7-19). The twenty-two thousand men of Gideon’s army who returned home because they were fearful and afraid, denied themselves the opportunity to liberate their kin from the oppressing hand of the Midianites, with the 300 brave soldiers who did (Judges 6:1-3). Many rulers who believed in Jesus, remained in spiritual darkness for “they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue” (John 12:42). Indeed, the Almighty is abundantly clear that to be godly in an ungodly civilization requires a man of bold character. Let it be clarified to be bold does not signify a person who has no fear. He who is bold is fully aware of his fear, but uses it wisely and in godliness. Hence, the example provided by Sacred Scripture of Obed-Edom, whose name in English translates to “red servant” (2ndSamuel 6:1-11, 1st Chronicles 13:1-14). Holy Writ introduces us to Obed-Edom when King David determined to return to Jerusalem the Ark of the Covenant “for we have not inquired at it since the days of Saul” (1st Chronicles 13:3, emphasis added). Biblical historians have surmised, based on the time frame alluded by David in the pericope, that the Ark of the Covenant had remained at Kirjath Jearim, in the house of Abinadab, for approximately seventy years. Regrettably, the ark’s duration in Abinadab’s home also allowed for the people of Israel to become overly comfortable with it, which led to David’s unfortunate decision. Upon returning the sacred furniture to Jerusalem, “they set the ark of God on a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab, which was on a hill; and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abindab, drove the new cart” (2nd Samuel 6:3, emphasis added). The problem with the king’s choice of transport is that it was not in accordance to Jehovah God’s commandment concerning His ark (Numbers 4:1-15). Thus, because David set the ark on a new cart instead of allowing the sons of Kohath to comply with their responsibility of transporting it, this placed Uzzah in a predicament that sadly cost him his life (2nd Samuel 6:6-7, 1st Chronicles 13:9-10). Uzzah’s well intended reaction to protect the ark of God from falling off the cart, was not absolved by God for He had warned Moses that “they shall not touch any holy thing, lest they die” (Numbers 4:15, emphasis added). This catastrophe served as a reminder to the people of Israel that God’s commandments are to be followed as He has proclaimed and are not open to human interpretation. Consequently, due to the chain of events that had ensued “David was afraid of God that day, saying, ‘How can I bring the ark of God to me?’ So David would not move the ark with him into the City of David, but took it aside into the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite” (1st Chronicles 13:12-13, emphasis added). No one who has thoroughly studied the life of David in Scripture can accuse him of being a coward. For this reason, the impact of what he had just witnessed, along with the guilt he must have felt knowing that he had put Uzzah in that lamentable position, verifies Paul’s instruction “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12b, emphasis added). Let us not ignore that Uzzah died because of his own disobedience to God’s commandments the moment he agreed to drive that new cart. Obed-Edom did the opposite of Uzzah and David, wisely utilizing his fear of what had taken place. Where King David no longer continued to transport the ark of God because he was afraid of further kindling God’s wrath, Obed-Edom reverently accepted God to enter and lodge with him. Unlike Uzzah, Obed-Edom approached this great honor with “fear and trembling” strictly adhering to the instructions provided by the Lord. It would be naive to assume that Obed-Edom was not afraid, especially after knowing that one life had already been lost for mishandling the ark. Yet, his bold acceptance of the ark and his reverent hospitality of God earned him the Lord’s blessings (1st Chronicles 13:14). Thus, this “red servant” teaches us not be afraid to receive the Lord to abide in us, and to host Him always with godly fear. Doing so, brings forth His blessings.