Online Resource Library
Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadPaul Kretzmann Commentary - Numbers 10:29 - 10:36
(Show All Books | Show All Chapters)
This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
Hobab Persuaded to Join the Host
v. 29. And Moses said unto Hobab, the son of Raguel, the Midianite, Moses' father-in-law, (Hobab thus being the brother-in-law of Moses, but the manner of his coming into the camp is not related,) We are journeying unto the place of which the Lord said, I will give it you; come thou with us, and we will do thee good; in being associated with the people of the Lord, Hobab and his tribe would become a partaker of the spiritual blessings which the Lord had promised to His people; for the Lord hath spoken good concerning Israel, Gen_32:12; Exo_19:5-6.
v. 30. And he said unto him, I will not go; but I will depart to mine own land and to my kindred. There were strong ties which bound Hobab to the place where his people lived, but the prospect of partaking in the glorious destiny that Jehovah had promised to His people was a mighty persuasive factor.
v. 31. And he (Moses)said, Leave us not, I pray thee, forasmuch as thou knowest how we are to encamp in the wilderness, and thou mayest be to us instead of eyes. The cloud which went ahead of the army showed only the general direction of the way, whereas Hobab could act as the guide of the people in showing them the best roads and in planning their camps, since he had lived under wilderness conditions all his life and was familiar with the entire country.
v. 32. And it shall be, if thou go with us, yea, it shall be, that what goodness the Lord shall do unto us, the same will we do unto thee. By joining the people of the Lord, Hobab and his people would share in all the temporal and spiritual benefits which the Lord had promised to His chosen nation. The words of Moses apparently did not lack in persuasive power at this time, for it seems that Hobab joined the host with his tribe, Jdg_1:16. The passage contains a fine hint in regard to missionary methods which might be applied to this day.
v. 33. And they departed from the mount of the Lord three days' journey, during which time nothing of interest happened, the people seemingly being satisfied with everything that the Lord did; and the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord went before them in the three days' journey, to search out a resting-place for them, a suitable camping-ground for the entire army. It seems that the ark alone was taken from the rest of the Sanctuary appointments and carried at the head of the host, as near as possible beneath the cloud.
v. 34. And the cloud of the Lord was upon them by day, like a sheltering presence, covering the whole army, when they went out of the camp, concentrating itself into a pillar as the journey was resumed.
v. 35. And it came to pass, when the ark set forward, at the beginning of the day's march, that Moses said, Rise up, Lord, and let Thine enemies be scattered; and let them that hate Thee flee before Thee. This was said with reference to the ark and the cloud as guaranteeing the merciful presence of Jehovah, before whom all enemies must be confounded and flee in disgrace.
v. 36. And when it rested, when the cloud sank to the earth upon reaching a new station, and the ark was deposited on the spot where the Tabernacle was to be erected in the midst of the camp, he said, Return, O Lord, unto the many thousands of Israel! Cf Psa_68:1-3. This is an expression of the bold confidence of faith, a prayer which is sure of being heard in advance, a watchword with which the Church of Christ at all times has overcome and vanquished the forces of darkness. And every individual Christian knows that God guards and keeps him in all his ways and defends him from all harm and danger even in the night season.