阅读经文 

你有没有在电视或互联网上看过出版商票据交换所（Publishers Clearing House）的广告呢？一群兴高采烈、满面笑容的人拿着鲜花、气球和一张巨型的假支票，从小货车里跳出来，他们走到一个毫不知情的人的家通知他，他赢得了一笔供他终生支取的巨款，那人便以震惊、诧异和兴奋之情来回应这个消息。

俄别以东完全不知道约柜会出现在他的家门口，而这件事是在悲伤和令人震惊的背景下发生的。当牛失前蹄时，乌撒试图保护约柜不从车上跌下，然而这样做违反了约柜的神性，乌撒因此赔上了他的性命。

发生了这件令人费解的事后，大卫和所有的百姓都人心惶惶。大卫中止了运送约柜的行动，改为把约柜送到俄别以东的家，约柜便停留在那里三个月。俄别以东一定意料不到，代表神同在的约柜竟然会停留在他家中。

俄别以东和他的家人，看到神像从天上降下吗哪那样赐福给他们时，感恩必然从他的心中涌流出来，他感谢神赐他做神仆人的机会。他和家人蒙神赐福，完全是出于他们本不配得的恩典。

Have you seen some of the Publishers Clearing House commercials on TV or the internet? A happy group of people jumps out of a van with flowers, balloons, smiles on their faces, and a huge fake check. They approach the home of an unsuspecting person with the news of winning large amounts of money for the rest of their lives. And the person responds with shock, surprise, and excitement.

Obed-Edom had no idea that the ark of the covenant would show up at his door. And the circumstances were sad and shocking. Uzzah had tried to make sure the ark would not fall from the cart when the oxen stumbled. But that violated the holiness of the ark, and Uzzah paid with his life.

This puzzling event brought fear into the hearts of David and all the people. David halted the procession and took the ark to the house of Obed-Edom, where it stayed for three months. It must have taken Obed-Edom by surprise to have the ark of the presence of the Lord at his house.

As Obed-Edom and his family saw the blessings of God pour out on them like manna from heaven, his heart must have swelled with gratitude for the opportunity to be God’s servant. It was all by undeserved grace that he and his household were blessed.