A Devotional Thought From Numbers

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.     Numbers 10:32

Hobab, identified as the son of Raguel one of the names by which Moses’father-in-law Jethro was known, was at the time Israel was preparing to journey with God following the guidance of the cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night, visiting among the Israelites. His family home was in Midian and he was planning to return there. Moses gives him an invitation to remain with the chosen people; 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: for the LORD had spoken good concerning Israel (Numbers 10:29). There are good things ahead for God’s people, Moses was saying. “The future is as bright as the promises of God” (Wm. Carey). Come and participate in all good things with us.

Hobab hesitates stating his plan is to return to his ancestral land, but Moses continues to persuade: you can be a blessing to us, 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. Think about it. We are offering to share what God does for us with you. He has promised a land of milk and honey, indicating how fruitful it will be, and we will share it with you. He has promised to guide us. We will let you go with God along with us. Whatever other blessings fall our way you will get your share. And based on Scriptures later in the Old Testament writings, it appears Hobab accepted the offer and the blessings, and threw in his lot with Israel.

Moses’ invitation to Hobab and his posterity is a picture of the invitation the people of God’s church today offers the world. Come with us. What we have is good: a savior who forgives sins and makes our hearts new; a God who lives in us by the Holy Spirit; a God who is our loving Father in heaven; He blesses us with a life of deep faith and good conduct if we follow the teaching of His word. He cares for us and showed that care by sending His own Son, Jesus, our Savior from sin; He has given us the promise that even death cannot defeat us; that one day Jesus will call all believers, living and dead, up to heaven, and the dead shall rise from the grave just like Jesus did on Easter morning; and we will live with Him eternally.

What’s not to like? So I express that invitation to the world, come with us by faith. Believe in Jesus as your Savior. Join our people in God’s church, and we will do you good. Here is how you join up: Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved…(Acts 16:31).