Definition of a Doorkeeper, Pt. 2

*Note- Hey, here's part two of Tammy Bailey's excellent article. Enjoy. Jeff


SO….What happened to Obed-Edom after the whole nation of Israel came to take away God’s presence? Did he realize why his home was blessed? Did he understand the dynamics of having the ark close by? Did he give it up willingly? What happened to Obed-Edom after he experienced God’s presence? How did he become a doorkeeper?

In 1 Chronicles 15:19 and 24 we find him. When King David came and took away the presence of God from the house of Obed-Edom, something was missing. His crops still flourished, he still had money in the bank. The local people had even asked him to run for mayor. He was still blessed, but it wasn’t the same. Something was missing! He had to be back in that presence. He had to find a way to be near that ark. I’m sure he asked for an audience with the king and it was granted. I mean David wouldn’t turn down a meeting with the guy that had come through in a crunch for him and his entire country.


I wonder what that conversation was like? Obed-Edom had asked for an audience with the king. I’m sure he just wanted to ask David if there was some way he could be near the ark, somewhere he could serve. Somewhere close to the presence. “ David, I’ll just sweep the floor or whatever. You name it. I just have to be in God’s presence”. I can imagine that King David said, “Well, okay Obed, let’s see what we can do. Tell me, can you preach? “Obed said, “well, no I don’t have a lot of education. I just don’t think I could do that”. King David said,” well that’s okay. Tell me Obed, can you sing?” Obed-Edom said, “Well, Sir I sing in the shower, but it’s not real pretty, so I don’t think you would want me to do that.” King David just nodded and said, “don’t worry about it Obed, I’m sure we’ll think of something. Obed, can you play a trumpet?” Obed shook his head in disappointment and said,” no”. King David smiled. He was touched by the determination of this man who only wanted to serve in some way. King David reached down beside his throne and picked up his well-worn harp, the one he had since he was a boy tending his father’s sheep. It was not a beautiful instrument by any means, but David had worshiped his way into God’s presence many times with this simple piece of wood and strings. He said, “here Obed, try this”. Obed-Edom’s eyes lit up. He smiled and said,” Oh yes sir, I think I can do something with this.” So in verse 19 the bible says that Obed-Edom, Jeiel and Azaziah were appointed to play the harps in the tabernacle and in verse 24 the bible also says that Obed-Edom and Jehial were also to be doorkeepers for the ark.

Finally, Obed-Edom was appointed to a title and a position to which he was already serving. Sometimes, we as doorkeepers want the title, uniform and recognition without the training or experience. Sometimes, we think the price is too high to pay. But not Obed-Edom. He was now an official doorkeeper and a musician to boot. He had housed the presence of God, used the key of worship to open the door to his future, all while wearing his uniform of humility and brokenness before the king. This doorman helped lead an entire nation into the presence of God. He had an appointment from heaven that was finally recognized by the king and the entire nation of Israel. Why was he qualified to be a doorkeeper? Because he did the job long before having the title to go with it!

Now, there is something we need to remember, the people that were chosen and appointed by the king worshiped in the tabernacle and sang praises and played instruments and blew trumpets 24 hours a day, 7 days a week 365 days a year for 36 years…non-stop!

It wasn’t a part-time job Obed-Edom was asking for. He was making a lifestyle change.
Obed-Edom was willing to do whatever it took to stay in God’s presence.

He was a doorkeeper. The bible says that he took his place of assignment at the door. He took his place not at the door that you, like me, probably assumed. He was not at the door of the tabernacle.

Look again…they were appointed not as doorkeepers for the tabernacle, but doorkeepers for the ark. Wow! He was close. A doorkeeper of God’s presence. Obed-Edom had spent enough time in God’s presence to have the honor of standing by the door to help others.

He stood close by to make sure that everything was in order for everyone else to worship. He was able to take others into where he had already been. And he was changed. He gave up all he had to take care of the presence of God for others. He held open the door to God’s presence for everyone else. He helped them with their baggage. He gave them directions to where they wanted to go and even provided transportation if needed to be sure they got where they wanted to go. He did what every good doorman does. Whatever it takes!

See, we cannot take others where we have not yet been or are willing to go. It may take a lifestyle change on our part and a deeper determination to seek God’s presence than we have made so far. We may have to serve in the position without recognition for a while. We may have to practice for his presence.

There is one thing that do I love about the south. We have all been taught to be polite; to say “yes ma’am” and “no ma’am” and “please” and “thank you”. We have been taught to respect our elders and more importantly, we have been taught to hold the door open for others. It is the civilized thing to do. If we can do something so simple in our everyday lives to show respect for others, surely we can make an even bigger impact by practicing these principles in the spirit realm. Worship your way into God’s presence and then hold the door open for others. Become a doorkeeper.

John 10:9 – I am the Door. Anyone who enters in through Me will be saved (will live). He will come in and he will go out (freely) and will find pasture (rest and sustenance). Amplified.