Evening star., 1907-08-24


and Abihu. the ordinary course of life was
resumed in the 1sraelitish camp Further
laws were delivered for the government of
the institutions that had been set up. Much
emphasis was laid on the subject OF purifi-
cation preparation for worship. Then
came enactments pertaining to the holy
place, the offerings, the day of atonement.
the shew bread, blasphemy. oppression and
redemption. BY Divine direction a census
was taken by tribes, showing that there
were more than six hundred thousand able
to go forth to war plumbers. i:46) The
order and location of the tribes with refer
ence to the tabernacle were also deter
mined, both when they were in camp and
on the march The Levites weer formally
instructed concerning their duties. A year
had now passed since Israel came out of
Egypt, and the passover was duly observed.
A fixed signal, removal of the cloud tNum-
bers, ix:17-2O was appointed for this jour
neying, and two silver trumpets were made
for calling the people. On the twentieth
day of the second month in the second
year Israel left the wilderness Of Sinai
and moved toward the wilderness of Paran
plumbers, x:11-13)
INVITATION-Moses married while
a fugitive in the land of indian EXODUS,
HE'D forty years before the exodus. When
he led Israel out of Egypt his father-in-
law came to see him. bringing his wife. who
until her husbands mission should be
manifest When the old gentleman re-
turned EXODUS. xviii:2O Hobab, his son,
tarried in the camp, content TO make
visit with his sister and brother-in-law.
Now that Israel was to move on to Ca
naan, Moses invited him to become perma-
nently attached to the congregation and
accompany them. AS an inducement ne de-
clared that the Lord had spoken good con-
cerning Israel, referring doubtless, to the
promise made to Abraham Genesis.
xxxii:12 as we'll as to himself. (Exodus,
iii:1S) He also emphasized the fact that
they were going to a land that had been
promised to them Genesis, xvii:6) lot
possession. And he coupled the invitation
with promise Of good to Hobab II he ac-
cepted the invitation. This was certainly
a most generous and iattering offer. For,
while many occurrences during the tenn
porary stay showed how idolatrous and dis-
obedient the people were. the same events
had exhibited the glory and the power or
God and the wisdom of Moses. On the
whole, it was an encouraging outlook. cal
culated to excite the ambition of any man.
HEsITATION.-But Hobab did not
yield to the offer of his brother-i law;
he proceeded to give his reason. y! Will
return to my own landau adjacent DIS
trict, part Of the Sinaitic peninsula. He
preferred the plans, WIN Id Wnlum ~nEnown m land
Of promise and hope. And he add added: - II
will return to my own kindred" Who were
descendants Of Abraham by Keturah, the
second wife of that eminent patriarch
Gen. xxv:l-4). Hobads father was a
shepherd priest eek. h;l6), and ms words
shipped the God of Israel (Ex.. xviii:17-l9);
that he was wise and good man. II was
while in his employ that Moses had hearo
the voice of God appointing him a leader
.(Ex, in:1-2). But his people were outsi.e
the Abrahamic covenant. They were not
heirs to the promises. They were not IN
And
love Of country and Of kin was stronger
than all the promises made by Moses, than
all the attractions Of the new nation about
to march to it's new home 1t is not strange
that the decision was made Blood reh-
gion, home-these are not easily severed.
ENTREATY.-Moses did not falter In
his purpose Leave US not, I pray thee"
he pleaded. He argued the case In earnest
known wilderness, pitching their tents at
intervals. The way would be SET Win
many difficulties and dangers. Enemies
would rise up against them.the lshHlaei
Hobab knew all this region. His pastoral
life had taken him over all parts or u.
He knew the people. He could there1ore
furnish needed information-in fact his
service was essential to the expedition In
all this pleading Moses exhibited his Wis
dom. His faith in God did not lead him to
ton against defeat and sought every avail
able help to insure success Uuke, xv1:9).
Moreover the argument was forceful one
for every true man. He would have Hobab
feel that he might be useful. He would.
therefore appeal to the higher nature and
secure his relative by a conservation TO the
interests of a great cause, SO overcoming
any feeling of personal preference u
Chron., xXiX:6).
PROMISE-And yet the cause was
not left wholly on that elevated plane
Moses knew enough Of the general features
of humanity to offer q reward for the serV-
fees he sought CHeb. xii:2). Even Jesus,
the Savior. had regard to the outcome OF
his life-work, and was thereby strength
ened to endure the cross, and Moses denied
present for future good (Heb. xi:2o). And
SO on this occasion the promise was MADE
to the Midianite, What goodness the Lord
shall do unto us, the same will we do to
thee" Verse 32). This was the same as
the promise in the first invitation, only IT
was supported by the goodness or the
Lord It did not rest in the faithfulness
of Moses, but on the ability and mercy
of Jehovah. Hobab has now all the ele-
ments for An intelligent choice. Josh,
xxiv:15). Behind him were the broad
pasture lands of the native country and
all the associations Of the years gone be-
fore; before him the new world, the new
hopes to be secured with Israel under
the blessing of God. Our lesson does not
record his decision. There are passages
in after history Judges. i:16, 1v:1D to
indicate that he went for the kenites
were Midianites. But some have thought
that Hobab still refused, and that relatives
accompanied Moses.
REMOVAL-At last the tents were