Friday 11th August
Read Numbers 10:29-32
“Now Moses said to Hobab son of Reuel the Midianite, Moses’ father-in-law, ‘We are setting out for the place about which the Lord said, “I will give it to you.” Come with us and we will treat you well, for the Lord has promised good things to Israel.’
30 He answered, ‘No, I will not go; I am going back to my own land and my own people.’
31 But Moses said, ‘Please do not leave us. You know where we should camp in the wilderness, and you can be our eyes. 32 If you come with us, we will share with you whatever good things the Lord gives us.’” (NIVUK)
There are many things to note in this narrative but we will consider only two today. The first relates to whether Yahweh approves of Moses asking Hobab to journey with them and be their guide in the wilderness. The second concerns the promise of good things.
As we considered yesterday it is a surprising request to invite a guide along when Yahweh Himself leads His people. One of the important aspects of reading and understanding narrative such as this is to note what isn’t there. Yahweh is silent in this narrative whilst Moses and Hobab speak. As readers we need to consider whether this is a sign of disobedience by Moses or something Yahweh considers wise. That Moses is not rebuked for this request now, or anywhere else in the Torah, suggests this request is perfectly fine. There is no inconsistency between obeying Yahweh as your leader and asking others for help and friendship in the task.
The second thing to note concerns Moses’ generosity. He understands that the promise of Yahweh to Israel to bring His people to the promised land where blessing and goodness will be received is not exclusive. At the very beginning of the journey ‘foreigners’ are invited. They are not just invited but are encouraged that if they join with God’s people they will enjoy the same blessings. There is an overflowing abundance in the promises of Yahweh that challenges us to consider our own generosity. The promises to Israel are not exclusive but extend to all those who identify with them and follow Yahweh.Consider the Macedonian churches and their approach to the generosity of God in Jesus as they also travelled ‘in the wilderness’. “In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity” (2 Corinthians 8:2) (NIVUK). They reflected back the generosity of God towards them – just as Moses understood and offered to Hobab. How generous are we with each other?
