Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1904-05-25
answer: II will not co." or IL Is de-
cision for the Christ.

answer: Il VIII not co." or IL Is de-
cision for the Christ.
THERE were reasons why Hobab
thought he could not accept Moses'
invitation. There were barriers In the
way. My land and my kindred" he
said. when Moses gave him Gods offer OF
better land and an everlasting fellow
ship with Gods people. His land could
not compare with the land to which God
was leading His people. His friends in
INDIAN could not be as helpful and
desirable as companions and associates
as the people who were walking with
God. even though the journey took them
through the wilderness and caused them
TO endure trial, and hardship, and dan
ger. Barriers in the way. Hobab turn
ing back to his own land and his own
people. There are always barriers in
the way to hinder the soul acceptin-
Christs invitation. and they are gener-
ally just what was hindering Hobab:
Things and persons. Hobab could do
things back in his own land he could not
do in Gods land. There he was his own
master. and he could roam at pleasure
and do as his own sweet will dictated
ana the world to-day is full OF just that
KIND OF people. My land" rather than
GODS land. because there every desiss
and within may be gratifed which "a
within the power OF one to satisfy: be-
cause there. ali the allurements and M
fractions of the world are to be found
My people, rather than Gods peopls.
because they like the world equally we'll
with yourself and help to make merry
the passing moments. When IL comes to
question OF giving up the things of thu
world and the associates that are I'M
wholesome, the soul hesitates put whvY
Not because the soul has to give nm
more than II receives No! for God calls
you to go from the poor land of indian
to the land flowing with the milk and
honey OF His promises and blessing. and
the friendships there are truer and bet
ter than any which can ever be found in
the world. Ruth, choosing to leave her
own iahd and people, where she was sure
Oh comfort and plenty, and going with
Naomi to the land of Gods own people
gave up much. perhaps, but see what she
received In return: Better friends than
she LEFT behind. a home and a husband
iidhtt. anu "A DOStprlty
mhich prepared the way for the coming
Oh the promised Messiah. Giving up?
fes' II means giving up my land and
my people. but II means more: il means
the hnding OF better land and a bet
ter people
YES. and 1t means more than finding
better land and people, il means
receiving commission for larger and
better service. Hobab need not return
u Mlulan to find something worth his
Whlie 10 DO. The invitation to go with
Gods people included a call to service
new mission in life lay before him
10 go with Gods people meant that ba
woulG have n particular place IN fIl an
important duty to perform. God has no
'oon ior idlers He invites you to yield
Jun Seii-to Him, to accept Him as
your LORD and Saviour, because He has
sohethlhs definite for you to DO for
MIN and for the advancement OF HI.
hlhsdom Hobab had lived in that Sec
tlon or country through which the chill
dren OF Israel were passing all his lifa
lie knew every green patch of grass and
every tiny stream, he knew the easv
pains and could avoid the more difTicuIt
places In the journey He was inst tbo
man moses needed for guide and adj
WISER ON the Journey. II has been won
dered why, when Moses had the nilIar
Oh cIoud OF Gods presence to lead tho
way, he should seek other helm for thu
journey. but. as the commentators noin.
OUT IL should be remembered that cha
s"iudhce OF the cloud, though showing
the general route TO be taken through
'he 'racKIess desert. would not be so mi
mute as to point out the places where
pasture, shade and water were to he oh
famed and which were often hfd I'm OH
scure spots by the shifting sands Pc
SIDES several detachments were cont of
from the main body, and the services NJ
Hobab, not "a single Arab. but as a
prince OF a powerful clan, would bavs
been exceedingly useful"
ii OBAB missed his opportunity Aro
L you going to be as blind and In.
inherent as was he. and miss yours.
100? In the face of all that God had
done for His people, despite the eyi.
dence on every hand which he had
had while sojourning with the Israel.
ties that God was with them and bIess-
ing them, Notwithstanding the fact
that all of Gods promises gave assur.
ance Of blessing ahead. Hobab heart
lessly. and heedlessly. and blindly de.
clared II viii not 20" And how
many there are who are displavinp
the folly Of Hobab. Moses pleading
with Hobab could not turn him from,
his course. and sometimes the Chris
tian meets with the same sad expert
ence when inviting some dear soul 10