2. Let nothing be suffered to retard you in your progress thitherward —
[Hobab was solicited to postpone all regard for his family and country to the attainment of the promised land. And such is our duty also. Our blessed Lord has said, " He that loveth father or mother more than me, is not worthy of me :" " If any man come to me, and hate not his father and mother, yea, and his own life also (in comparison of me), he cannot be my disciple :" " He that will save his life, shall lose it ; and he that loseth his life for my sake, shall find itf." There will be difficulties and obstructions which we must meet with ; but we must meet them manfully : and, whatever be the cross that lies in our way, we must take it up, yea, and glory in it, and rejoice that we are counted worthy to bear it for His sake. For, what is the favour of man in comparison of the favour of God, or the preservation of earthly interests in comparison of a heavenly inheritance ? " What would it profit us if we gained the whole world, if at the same time we lost our own souls ? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul ?" Nor let this sacrifice appear great : it is no other than was made by Abraham g, and Moses h, and the Apostles of our Lord1, and all the primitive Christians k: nay, it is made daily even for the sake of a con- nexion with an earthly object1 : much more therefore may it be made for an union with Christ ; who offers himself to us only on these express terms ; " Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear : forget also thine own people and thy father's house : so shall the King have pleasure in thy beauty : for he is thy Lord, and worship thou himm."]
3. Proceed steadily till you are in possession of it —
[Hobab had abode with Moses some considerable time : but at last he grew weary of the way, and determined to return. It must not be thus with us. We must not run well for a season only, but unto the end, if we would obtain the prize. We must " never be weary of well-doing," or " look back after having put our hand to the plough ;" but " by patient continuance in well-doing must seek for glory and honour and immortality." " If any one of us turn back," says God, "my soul shall have no pleasure in him." " It were even better for us never to have known the way of righteousness, than, after having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to us." It is " he only who endureth unto the end, that shall ever finally be saved."]
f Matt. x. 37 — 39. Luke xiv. 26. s Gen. xii. 1 — 4.
h Heb. xi. 24 — 26. i Mark x. 28. * Acts iv. 32.
1 Eph. v. 31. m Ps. xlv. 10, 11.