Bible Talks

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THE SILVER trumpets sounded, the cloud of Jehovah’s presence lifted, and “the children of Israel took their journeys out of the wilderness of Sinai.”
Guided by Jehovah’s presence, every step brought them nearer to their home in Canaan’s land. The Lord is a perfect Guide of His people today, even as the Lord Jesus said “He that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” John 8:1212Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. (John 8:12). How sweet to sing together as we march along through a hostile world.
Here in the body pent,
Absent from Him we roam.
Yet nightly pitch our moving tent
A day’s march nearer home.
Our Father’s home on high,
Home to our souls so dear,
E’en now to faith’s transpiercing eye
Thy golden gates appear.
Our thirsty spirits faint
To reach the home we love;
The bright inheritance of saints,
Jerusalem above.
~~~
There shall all clouds depart,
The wilderness shall cease;
And sweetly shall each gladdened heart
Enjoy eternal peace.
Moses had said unto Hobab, “Come thou with us, and we will do thee good.” This is truly the spirit of the gospel. The gospel is good news from heaven. Moses’ invitation to Hobab was both simple and individual. “Come unto Me... and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:2828Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28)) is the Lord’s gracious invitation today.
But Hobab said, “I will depart to mine own land.” He was related to Moses but he did not belong to Israel. There are many who never feel at home in the company of the Lord’s people. If they cannot enjoy their company on earth, how do they expect to enjoy it in heaven?
Moses thought Hobab would be helpful in the journey because he knew the wilderness. Hitherto Moses had trusted only in the Lord; now he would trust in God and Hobab both. How many there are who would trust in Christ and something else. But this will never do. Christ alone must save, and bring us home to heaven.
“We are journeying unto the place of which the Lord said, I will give it you.” v. 29. This is truly the language of the believer. He has a glorious prospect. He rejoices in hope of the glory of God (Rom. 5:22By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. (Romans 5:2)). He does not mind, therefore, being called “stranger” (away from home) and “pilgrim” (going home) (Heb. 11:1313These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. (Hebrews 11:13)).
Moses’ mistake in counting on Hobab’s help only brought out the Lord’s grace. He had laid it down from the very first that He would come and journey in the midst of His people. The ark would travel in the very center of the march, a place suitable to God’s majesty. But now a change takes place, brought out by the wants of His people and their failure to reckon upon that which He had provided to meet the difficulties of the way. So we read, “And they departed from the mount of the Lord three days’ joey: and the ark of the covenant of the LORD went before them..., to search out a resting place for them.”
How gracious of the Lord in this way to go before them to seek out a resting place for them in the desert. He is the only all-sufficient leader. His eyes are never weary, His heart is never at fault.
ML-07/22/1973