The Pulpit Commentary — Numbers — Section 118

and in the course of a few months returns to the wilderness with over 600 000 fight,, ing men, beside women and children. So in the Scriptures we find O::any other wonderful God-made changes in human life. Joseph leaving his brethren a slave-- his brethren finding him again prime minister to Pharaoh. The lad David brought from the recluse. ~~storal scene to stand before armies and slay the dreaded foe of Israel. Jesus VISltmg Nazareth to be a wonderment and stumbling-block to those who had known him from infancy. Saul among the persecutors when he left Jeru• salem-among the persecuted when be returns. II. THESE WONDERFUL CHANGES llfAY BE EXHIBITED SO AS TO M'AlrB OTHERS THE atlll• JECTS OF_ THEM. Hobab bad probably been muc~ w_ith Moses, for old acquaintance' sake, while the people of God were round a.bout Sma.1. Tbe recollections of the past were comparatively fresh, and Moses had a natural interest in a kinsman. But now the time has come to move, and what must Hobah do? The necessities of God's kingdom bring a separation sooner or later in all friendship, unless both parties are in the kingdom. It is the critical moment of Hobab's life, and be must decide at once. Not but what he might change his mind, and follow afterwards, only the chances were that it was now or never. Thus Hobab ie the illustration of all who are asked and pressed to join the people of God. To euch persons every narration of God's experienced grace to others bringe a cordial invitation in the very telling of it. It is our own fault if we he mere spectators of the cloud, hearere of the trumpet. God had made most gracious provision for the stranger to come into Israel. No word could be more cordial and pressing than that of Moses here. It was not hatred of outsiders as outsiders, but as abominably wicked, that brought God's vengeance on them. III. THESE WONDERFlll, CHANGES MAY BE EXHIBITED WITHOUT PRODUCING snr- 1'.ATHY AND APPRECIATION. Tbe reply of Hobab illustrates the natural man in his want of sympathy with spiritual struggles. "The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God." How many there have been of such spectators in every age, those who have seen some old companion suddenly borne away, come under the influence of new powers, and turn what is called fanatic and enthusiast I The old ties are all broken, or, if any remain, there is no substance in them. Believer and nnbeliever may continue to meet in the commerce of the world, but in closer relations they can meet no longer. When Pitt was told of the great religious change that bad passed over Wilberforce, be suggested to his friend that he was out of spirits, and that company and conversation would be the best way of dissipating his impressions. Bobab was quite contented with his sheep in the desert. He did not want to be cir- cumcised, and held in with such rigorous restrictions. Doubtless he had a warm place in bis heart for Moses, but be could not say as Buxton once signed himself in a letter to J. J. Gurney, "Yours, in the threefold cord of taste, affection, an~ religion."-Y. Ver. 29.-.A right feeling and a (Jh:rmia.11, invitation. l THE FEELING WHICH SilOULD llE IN ALL CHRISTIAN HEARTS. "We are journeying unto the place of which the Lord said, I will give it you." Thus our view of the future should be regulated as· a future not of our achieving, but of God's giving. Tbe end is definite and assured, liowever devious and tedious the way rnay be. The end is one not to be reached immediately; the place which God will give us must be at a secure distance from spiritual Egypt, with its bondage and tyranny. The feeling which we entertain ..vith respect to this ~lace must be a• c_onfident one, and expressed in a manner. corr~- aponding. Tbe feeling thUB entertamed and expressed must have all our actions m harmony with it. Our closest connections with earth should he as nothing more than the pegs of the Israelite tents, here to-day and gone to-morrow (John xiv. 1-3; xvii. 24; 2 Cor. v. 1-9; Heb. iv. 11; xi. 13-16; xii. 27; 1 Pet. i. 3, 4}. II. THE INVITATION WHICH SHOULD COME FROM ALL CHRISTIAN LIPS. "Come thou with us, and we will do thee good." Addressed to those who may think they have a true home among things seen and temporal, but who are as really without a home as is the Christian. If Christians are sure they a.re going onward to the true home chosen, secured, and enriched by God, what is more Christ-like than that they should osk their Robah-neighbours to join their well-protected, well-provisioned c-ravqn 7 on. x. 29-32.J THE BOOK OF NUMBERS. 9'1