An Invitation to be a Fellow Traveler to Canaan

New Year’s Eve is always a solemn moment in our life, because then we look back to what has happened in the year which has passed. It seems to be only a short while ago that we began 1993, and now it has already passed by. It is a sermon in itself, since it is going in the same way with us; our life is passing by very fast. As the year is coming to an end, so it is also with our life. And then the great question is how we will appear before the Lord, for we are sinners who have transgressed all God’s commandments in many ways. Has it bothered you in the year that has passed? We have heard some sermons preached or read, but what has it done to us? Have we come in the dust before the Lord?

What a blessing it would be if we could say that the Lord has spoken to us in the past year by His Word and applied it by His Spirit. Then it would be an unforgettable lesson which we have received. If it is otherwise, then it will testify against us in the day of days.

Anno Domino, the year of our Lord, 1993 has become past tense and will never return. God’s Word says, “We spend our years as a tale that is told…we fly away” (Psalm 90:9b, 10). So it has been in 1993 with all the sad happenings of this year. We can speak about the national problems, which are great. A nation that forsakes the Lord will experience the displeasure of the Lord. But so it is also when we think of what has happened in the church, where it has come to such a sad development, as we all know.

Many empty places have come among us. For ministers, office-bearers, and members of our denomination it has become eternity. May the Lord remember all the mourning families, but also the sick and afflicted and those of old age who were yet allowed to begin 1994. The future is dark, and ominous clouds hang over the world and the church. It seems that the hour of temptation has come over the whole earth. We must experience that he who sows wind will harvest storm.

How did we end 1993? It is a personal question. Are we still with an open debt before the Lord? Are we never afraid to travel in such a condition to a never-ending eternity? By nature it does not bother us, it is not a burden. It is still the time of grace, and the Lord still calls unto us that we can be reconciled with Him. Such an invitation is mentioned in our text, and may the Lord give, if we are still traveling on the broad way to destruction, that He will change our course. This would be the greatest blessing for 1994.

Our text speaks of Israel, which had encamped near Mount Zion. It was now about a year since they were led out of Egypt. In the meantime, the father-in-law of Moses had come with Moses’ family. They had remained in Midian when Moses was called to go to Pharaoh. Although I speak of Moses’ father-in-law, many believe it should be his brother-in-law. In Exodus 18:1 his father-in-law is called Jethro. We will call Hobab Moses’ brother-in-law in this meditation.

In this chapter we read that the cloud went up, and this was a sign of departure for Israel. The cloud was a sign of God’s presence, and the heart of Moses was filled with holy pride. It was a testimony of the great benefits Israel received above other nations. But he was also filled with an inner pity since so many were missing these benefits, also his brother-in-law. Grace does not make proud in the wrong sense of the word, but gives humiliation and love for God and our neighbor. It was Moses’ desire that Hobab might also take part in this benefit, as we can read in our text, “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.”

Did Moses not push too much? No, we find love in these words, but also faith. He spoke by faith of Canaan as their final destination. He had never been in Canaan, but he was sure they would enter it at God’s time. The Lord gave this promise already to Abraham, and He would fulfill it.

The journey of Israel through the desert is an example of God’s church in the world, which is traveling to the heavenly Canaan. Also in our days not many people can speak with such surety of faith. I am not speaking of people who always can believe, because this is not the way of the Lord. Temporary believers receive the Word with gladness, but it does not have depth of earth, and when persecution comes they deny the Lord. We fear that this is happening more and more, also in our denomination. With some impressions of the truth, some sorrow, a little bit more religion, and then it is well with us. So many people are always ready, at the very smallest sign of a change, to lay on hands and say it is well with you. It is nice to be nice to each other, but when it is about these matters, then it is wicked, and we have to give an account of it to the Lord.

For God’s children it is not always so clear, for it goes up and down. An old servant of God said it so many times, “I have to go more to hell than to heaven.” This is not to encourage unbelief as a sign of God’s work, but God’s children are in a church militant. They may have moments that they stand on the top of the mountain and look at the promised land. However, often their eyes are filled with tears, and then they cannot see anything. Also when our eyes are fixed on this world, then there is no place for anything else.

By nature we travel on the broad way to destruction and have no part in the promise of the Lord for His people. This means we are traveling to eternal destruction. If we have an impression of what this means, then we would not have a moment of rest. When we live with the world, then we will die with it. Therefore this word of Moses is of the greatest importance, also for us. He invited Hobab to go along to Canaan. This was out of love to save him and his dear ones. Hobab was making himself ready to return to Midian. Moses knew this country; he hoped that Hobab would not go back to this idolatrous country, but would serve the Lord. It is evident that his words did not have much effect. As long as Israel was at Sinai, close to Midian, then it was no problem. This was a crucial moment for Hobab, as he had to make a choice between Midian and Canaan. Moses seriously tried to save his brother-in-law, “Come thou with us, and we will do thee good.”

“And he said unto him, I will not go; but I will depart to mine own land, and to my kindred.”

So it may be our prayer that many in and outside the congregations, also on the mission field, may be converted. The more subjects of King Jesus, the greater His glory is. What a wonder it would be if the Lord in this new year would work among us! Still we are responsible to seek the welfare of our neighbor and the glory of the Lord. There is not only rejoicing in heaven when one sinner is converted to the Lord, but also on earth, because it is a sign of God’s goodness and longsuffering over us.

These words of Moses were not only well-meant, but also urgent. He knew the dangers of Midian very well. Hobab was in a dangerous business; he was a traveling blacksmith, who had a neutral position, since he worked for friend and enemy. Moses knew of these dangers. How is it in our days? Is there yet any work that we may be doing which is not full of dangers? This is applicable for our children and for men and women, because we are living in a society which has forsaken the Lord. More and more we experience that it is nearly impossible to live separately from the world. In every part of society the devil has his influence, seeking to destroy the work of the Lord and to lead us to serve both God and mammon.

For Hobab it was a radical decision, but Moses made it easier with the promise of the Lord given to Israel, in which he would also take part if he went with them. Again the question, “Did Moses not say too much?” No, it is the language of faith; it was God’s promise for Israel. Moses had experienced that the Lord never makes ashamed. Out of his own life he could say this. He chose rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season. What would Hobab do?

Hobab made it clear that he had no desire to travel with Israel. “And he said unto him, I will not go; but I will depart to mine own land, and to my kindred” (Numbers 10:30). Hobab was a descendant of Abraham and Keturah. He was not interested in the promise of the Lord for Abraham and Sarah. His country, his family, and his business were number one. He chose the surety of Midian above an unsure future. He had seen and heard of the miracles which the Lord had done, but it did not incline his heart to the Lord. We know that more is necessary to bring us in humiliation before the Lord and to follow Him unconditionally.

By nature we have no desire to serve the Lord. It is such a gloomy life, because a lot of things we would like to do, we cannot do anymore. And we do not want to give them up. In fact, all the pilgrims to Zion are to be pitied. They have no real pleasure in their life. So the world speaks about God’s children, but also many religious people have this thought. They do not understand that real freedom is to be bound to God’s Word and law. A life in the world does not lead to true happiness but to unhappiness, although this is not always visible outwardly.

When we once receive a drink of the living water, then we begin to loathe the polluted water of the world. In the heart of God’s people there can be such a thirst for it as we hear from David, “Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation.” He had not lost salvation, but the joy of it, and he longed for it. He could not miss the Lord, although he was unworthy that the Lord should come back to him any more because of his great sin.

Hobab had no desire for the living water; he preferred his own country, without God. How terrible is such a choice, but we find this all over, also in our congregations. They are not public enemies of the truth, but to forsake everything for the kingdom of heaven is to ask too much from them. Therefore they seek a compromise: God and the world. But the Lord calls, “Hearken, O daughter, and consider and incline thine ear; forget also thy own people and thy father’s house. So shall the king greatly desire thy beauty” (Psalm 45:10, 11b).

How often are the words of Augustine repeated, “Convert me, O Lord, but not yet.” I am too young to be converted, and to leave the pleasures of this world, but do it later on. We terribly deceive ourselves when we believe that such an attitude is pleasing to the Lord. In reality, this enmity of free grace is wrapped in a pious garment, in which we try to maintain ourselves, but we are not willing to bow before the Lord. Is your name mentioned in this meditation? Ask the Lord to give you true wisdom in this year, which could be our last year. If we are not interested in Canaan, according to our text, then it is not well with us.

It is a greater blessing when those talents are combined with grace, and that, after grace, one does not become proud with his talents.

Still we may hear out of God’s Word the call, “Come thou with us.” When we have a little self-knowledge, then we see that the choice of Hobab is not unexpected. By nature we choose the visible and worldly things above invisible and spiritual matters. The world, decorated by Satan, allures, but we are blind for the service of the Lord, which is precious for a poor and needy people. When the Holy Spirit works in our heart, then we fear to be destroyed with the world, as Bunyan describes in Pilgrim’s Progress (this book should be read more in our days!). Christian had seen that he lived in the City of Destruction, and he fled after being instructed by Evangelist.

How would Moses react to this answer of Hobab? He renewed his invitation, “Leave us not, I pray thee; forasmuch as thou knowest how we are to encamp in the wilderness, thou mayest be to us instead of eyes.” Moses did not become angry, but he acted in true love towards Hobab. Moses drew his invitation a little differently this time. First he spoke about Hobab’s interest, but now more of Israel’s. Hobab knew the desert as only few did. He could be a great help for Israel. But was the Lord not the Leader of Israel? That was true, but the Lord uses means. Even so, talents and knowledge can be a blessing for the church. Think of Moses at the court of Pharaoh, and Saul who was well instructed by Gamaliel. Moses was used by the Lord for Israel and Saul for the church of all ages. It is a blessing when the Lord gives Hobabs to the church; it is a greater blessing when those talents are combined with grace, and that, after grace, one does not become proud with his talents. One can support financially and another serve in an office, each serving according to the will of God.

Hobab had come to a critical moment in his life. If he returned to Midian, then it was lost for him and his family, humanly speaking. We should remember that the important decisions we make in marriage, or where we will live, are also decisive for our children. This was not only true for Hobab, but also for us. The Lord says that we should acknowledge Him in all our ways. May such a dependent life be given in this year which is before us. It is unknown what it will bring to us and our families; it is a difficult time for all of us. The power of Satan increases as never before. It seems we are coming into the time that he is made loose from bonds in order to make a last attack on the church, trying to take it out of God’s hand.

Moses’ brother-in-law did not listen and returned to his country. Still it is not the end of this history, because it seems that later on he yet followed the children of Israel. In the land of Canaan his descendants lived with the tribe of Judah (Judges 4:11). According to 1 Samuel 15, they later moved and lived among the Amalekites. One of the descendants even gave deliverance to Israel, when Jael killed Sisera. So the Lord fulfilled His promise which was given by Moses to Hobab.

There still remains for us and our children this question: What is the destination of our journey? When Christian came to the Palace Beautiful, they asked him if he had a family. When he confirmed this, then they asked him where his wife and children were. Do we truly seek the welfare of our family? Grace is also seen in practice and can affect our neighbors. At the beginning of the new year we are seriously called to travel with the spiritual Israel to the promised land. May the Lord be our helper!

— Rev. A.M. den Boer

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