The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1902-08-13
THE SABBATH SCHOOL
INTERNATIONAL LESSON COMMENTS
FOR AUGUST II.
Subject: Journnyin. Toward Canaan,
Num-. l.. ll-l3 aud 30 .38-Golden Text.
Psa. xxxl.. 3-.Memory Verses. 81. -.
Commentary ON the Days Lesson.

Num- l.. iI-l3 aud 30 .38-Golden Text.
Psa. xxxi.. 3-.Memory Verses. 81. -.
Commentary on the Days Lesson.
IL. Twentieth day" etc The chill.
dren OF Israel prooab.y reached Sinai on
the first day Of the third month (Ex. 10:
ID. and left it on the twentieth day OF the
second month, thus making their stay
eleven months and twenty days. The
cloud" The pillar, or column, which ap.
peared as 4 cloud by day and fire by
n;Sht. was the symbo! OF the divine pres
ence. 1t was the Shekirah. or divine
dwelling place. and was the continual sign
of the presence and protection OF God
The cloud not only served the purpose OF
a guide, but it was covering to them
protecting them from the burning rays OF
the sun. Psa. los: 80; Isa. (: 5. At nigh.
the pillar OF fire gave light TO every part
OF the camp. Chap. 8: 1918.
u. Out oi-Sina:.' The reason for the
loag delay at Sinai is apparent. The peo
PIE lett Egypt a mere crowd OF fugitive
slaves. with only the rudiments OF national
organization. and the dimest religious
ideas But the interval had effected an
immense change. They had now become
an organized people, with laws. consti'
tuition or covenant, 4 priesthood, relIg
ious ritual and house Of worship. and with
4 political and military organizat tion-theii
judges and officers placed over thousands,
Deut :: lJ), and a general council OF sev
enty elders (Ex. "a l. Mum. II: 2i-26l,
which the rabbis believed was the origin
Of the Sanhedrin.
lbs. In these verses we have an ac'
count of the order in which the 1sraelites
marched, together with a statement re-
garding the taking down and putting up
Of the tabernacle. This fixed order rig.
idly adhered to. was necessary not only
for military reasons, but to prevent the
host from becoming confused mob.
%. Moses said" Although this invita-;
ton is placed between the setting out and
the departure. "Hobab." There are sev:
eral opinions regarding this person. II
seems likely that Hobab WAS the same a.
Jethro. Compare Ex. 8: and Judges 4:
II. "Raguel" The same as Reuel. Sec
Ex. 9: Is. 1t would thus appear that
Reucl, Jethro and Hobab were three
names for the same person. but this could
not be- berause it il distinctly stated that
Hobab was the son OF. Reuel Father-in
law" The word for "father.in.law" in
Hebrew has wide Specification and sig.
niies any relation by marriage. Hobab
may have been brother-in.law to Moses.
Israel while encampcd at Sinai. near his
own country, and now on their removal he
proposed returning to his own abode. I'VE
are journcying" God had wrought them
thus far from Egypt. even to the wilder
ness OF Sinai. and they were journeying to
ward Canaan, trusting in His promise.
guided By His presence and supported by
His power. II will give it you" This
promise was made to- Abraham (Gen. r.:
7: l3: IS; II: 81. and repeated to Noses.
Ex. 3: s. Thus was the matter estab
lished bevond doubt. Moses was not
making this journey on any uncertainty
Come thou with u.s." Moses urged him
to remain in company with them, both foI
view. and for the service he could render
them, in his KNOWLEDGE Of the wilderness
30. "l will not co." This refusal must
be imputed to affection for his native air
| and soil, which was not overpowered. as II
| ought to have been, by q believing regard
TO the promise OF God, and value for
! covenant blessings. Thus do many decide
to return to the haunts OF SIN even after
they have enjoved the communion OF God
and the fellowship of His saints.
81. Leave us not" TT is likely that
Hobab changed his mind, even II he did
60 back to Midian. He surely returned
again to Israel. as Scriptures show that bis
posterity dweit among the Israelites IN
Canaan. Judges !: Is; I: II and l Sam. Is:
6. The earnest importantly OF Moses to
SECURE the attendance OF this man. when
he enjoyed the benefit OF the directing
cloud, has surprised many. But it should
be remembered that the guidance OF the
cloud, though it showed the general route
to be taken through the trackless desert
| would not be so minute as To point out
the places where pastures, shade and water
were to be obtained. and which were often
hidden in obscure spots by the shif.ina
sands. Besides. several small companies
we're sent of from the main body. and the
services OF Hobab. not as a single Arab
but as a prince OF a powerful! race, would
have been very useful.
80. The same will we do" Those
who share with Gods Israel in their Ia
bors and hardships. shall share with them
in their comforts and honors."
g. Mount OF the Lord Sinai. called
the mount of the Lord because here the
Lord had displayed His power, and given
the people the law. Three days jour
ney." r. this we are not to understand
an unbroken march OF the entire people
during seventy.two hours with no halt
but that the ark was borne steadily on
during this period before it came to per
manent stopping place. ARK Of the cove
nant." So called because it contained the
covenant OF the law-the two tables ol
stone on which God had written the ten
The ark was carried separately from the
rest OF the sacred furniture. in advance oi
the column. wrapped in its own peculiar
blue covering "a: 81. at once IN object o'
veneration and symbol OF Jehovah q
| presence and His separateness from SIN.
ners. The ark was 4 type OF Christ. and
30 Christ to-day goes before His people to
guide them into all truth.
q. "Cloud-was upon them" "Wai
over them" R. v. See comment on
s5. Moses said. Rne up. Lord
Moses. rs the leader OF the people. ut.
commencement and end OF each Journey
| Thus all the JOURNEYS were sanctihed by
| devotion They were now IN desoiafe
| country. but marching toward IN enemy 8
| country. and their dependence was upon
God for success and victory. as we'll AZ
for direction and succor ii God did not
arise and scatter His enemies there could
he no hone that Israel could get safely
through the wilderness. God must go
first. in order chat Israel might follow IN
safety. For the scattering and defeating
| Of Gods enemies there needs no more
than Gods arising.
30. Return. o. Lord" These were the
words spoken by Moses at the moment the
divisions halted in order to pitch the
tents. Unless the ark rested with them:
and the cloud of glory with it. they could
neither have rest nor comfort. Moses
prayed for success abroad and peace at
home. From marching in front. Jehovah
il now invited to His customary abode
amid the many thousands OF Israel.