Bible Commentaries

Hobab's Opportunity

Numbers 10:29

Hobab was the son of Raguel the Midianite, who is called Reuel in Exodus 2:18, and elsewhere Jethro. Hobab was therefore the brother-in-law of Moses. When Jethro, having brought back Zipporah and her two sons to Moses (Exod. XVIII.), returned to his own house, Hobab appears to have remained in the camp. But now that the Israelites were about to continue their journey to the Promised Land, he expressed a desire to return to his own kindred and country. Moses, however, urged him to cast in his lot with the people of God, and he prevailed. The descendants of Hobab are spoken of in the books of Judges and Samuel as dwelling in Canaan. We have in the text:—

I. A Cordial Invitation.—"Come thou with us." Three things are implied. He was invited:—

1. To conform to their principles. "He could not remain with them and serve other gods."

2. To share their privileges. "The Lord hath spoken good concerning Israel"

3. To enjoy their prospects. "We are journeying unto the land," etc.

II. A Solemn Promise.—

A. "We will do thee good."

1. By social intercourse. "As iron sharpeneth iron," etc.

2. By wise counsel. "Admonish one another."

3. By a holy example. "Let your light so shine," etc.

4. By genuine sympathy. "Bear ye one another's burdens," etc.

B. "What goodness the Lord shall do unto us, the same will we do unto thee." We can only give as we receive.

—F. J. Austin, Seeds and Saplings, p31.

References.—X:29.—Spurgeon, Sermons, vol. xvi. No916. C. Perren, Revival Sermons in Outline, p145. A. Maclaren, Expositions of Holy Scripture— Exodus , Leviticus , and Numbers , p314. X:29-31.—Hugh Black, University Sermons, p259; see also Christian World Pulpit, vol. lxvii1905 , p65. X:33.—Phillips Brooks, The Law of Growth, p328. X:35.—Spurgeon, Sermons, vol. vii. No368. X:35 , 36.—J. E. C. Welldon, Christian World Pulpit, vol. lxiv1894 , p243. A. Maclaren, Expositions of Holy Scripture— Exodus , Leviticus , and Numbers , p321; see also Outlines of Sermons on the Old Testament, p39. XI:1-10.—Spurgeon, Sermons, vol. xxxix. No2332. XI:4.—C. Gore, Christian World Pulpit, vol. Leviticus 1899 , p265.