Whether Moses prevailed with Hobab to alter his determination, does not certainly appear. But it seems rather that he did succeed, because we find the descendants of Hobab actually settled in Canaan, and dwelling in the midst of the tribe of Judah, not indeed as blended with them, but as a distinct people0. This however is of no importance to us. It is the invitation only that we are concerned about : and we hope that, when the arguments with which it is enforced are duly considered, the success with us shall not be doubtful, whatever it might be with him. There is a land of promise towards which the true Israel are yet journeying, under the conduct of our great Lawgiver, the Lord Jesus Christ; and in their name is the invitation addressed to all of us; " Come thou with us; and we will do thee good."
But, that we may have clearer views of this matter, let us distinctly consider,
I. The invitation —
That the journey of Israel in the wilderness was altogether typical of our journey heaven-ward, is well known. When therefore, in the name of all Israel, we say to every individual amongst us, " Come thou with us," we must be understood to say,
1. Set your faces in good earnest towards the promised land —
[There is " a land of which God has said, I will give it you." And it is a good land ; " a land flowing with milk and honey ;" a land " where you shall eat bread without scarce- ness;" and enjoy "a rest" from all enemies, and from all labours, for evermore d. Towards that land all the Israel of God are journeying : they consider this world as a wilderness, in which they are pilgrims and sojourners; and the object of every step which they take in it is, to advance nearer to their desired home. Let every one of us join himself to them. Let
us estimate aright the inheritance prepared for us —
Let us lose no further time in commencing our journey towards
it Let us engage in the pursuit of it with all the ardour
that the object requires And let us " fear, lest a pro- mise being left us of entering into it, any of us should even seem to come short of it6."]
c Judg. i. 16. andiv. 11, 17. d Heb.iv. 9. 1 Pet.i. 4. <= Heb.iv. 1.