Sketches of Four Hundred Sermons Numbers 10:29-32 And Moses said to Hobab, the son of Raguel the Midianite, Moses' father in law, We are journeying to the place of which the LORD said… : — I. GOD'S ISRAEL HAVE A DIRECT OBJECT IN VIEW, thus described, "The place of which the Lord said, I will give it you." By God's Israel I mean literally the posterity of Jacob, and spiritually all genuine Christians, who are "Israelites indeed in whom there is no guile." The object which God's ancient Israel had in view was Canaan; this is described as a place, and on several accounts it was highly desirable. Heaven is the glorious object on which God's spiritual Israel have fixed their attention. Canaan was highly prized by the Jews — 1. As it was the end of their journey. Heaven is the termination of the Christian's journey. The dangers of: that terrible wilderness, through which Israel passed, were but faintly typical of the spiritual dangers to which believers are exposed; and if Israel rejoiced at the possession of Canaan, with what exultation will Christians enter their heavenly inheritance, when their toils will be finished and their conflicts closed! 2. It was a country amply stored with provisions. But with all the enconiums bestowed upon Canaan, how low it sinks in comparison with that "better country," to which we are journeying! This is indeed a land without scarceness. Here will be no lack of anything. Here every wish shall be gratified, and every desire be crowned with enjoyment. 3. It was long and repeatedly promised. 4. It was to be gratuitously bestowed. All God's blessings are gifts. II. GOD'S ISRAEL ARE TENDING TOWARDS THAT OBJECT. 1. Commenced by the command of God. 2. Continued under His immediate guidance. 3. Marked by His miraculous and gracious care. III. THAT GOD'S ISRAEL ARE SOLICITOUS TO SECURE COMPANIONS FOR THEIR JOURNEY. "Come thou with us," &c. 1. Piety prompts them to say this. They long to bring back to God His immortal offspring, and to recover to "the great Shepherd of the sheep," the souls for whom He died; and they say, "Come thou with us," &c. 2. Benevolence excites them to say this. Religion inspires the most ardent attachment to God, and breathes the purest benevolence to men. 3. Self-interest induces them to say this. God's Israel are not only capable of doing good to, but of receiving good from their fellow-travellers. IV. GOD'S ISRAEL ENJOY THE DIVINE COMMENDATION. "The Lord hath spoken good concerning Israel." 1. Concerning the country to which Israel are tending (Psalm 87:3; Revelation 21:23-26). 2. Concerning the way in which Israel are journeying. It is called a right way (1 Samuel 12:23); a good way (Jeremiah 6:16); a perfect way (Psalm 101:2); a way of holiness (Isaiah 35:8); a way of peace (Luke 1:79); a new and living way (Hebrews 10:20); and a way in which there is no death (Proverbs 12:28). 3. Concerning the succours afforded them in the way. Many things are necessary for travellers. Light to see the way (Proverbs 4:18); a consciousness of being in the right way (Isaiah 30:21); a guide to instruct us in the way (Psalm 32:8); provision for the way (Psalm 132:15); strength to walk in the way (Isaiah 40:29-31); and a never-failing Friend to lead us forward in the way (Isaiah 42:16). 4. "The Lord hath spoken good concerning Israel" — In the titles by which they are designated, such as children of God, sons of God, heirs of God, kings and priests unto God. — In the figures by which they are compared: God's husbandry, God's building, God's heritage, sheep of God's pasture, a royal priesthood, a spiritual house, a crown of glory, and a royal diadem, &c. — In the promises to which they are entitled; these include all things (1 Corinthians 3:21-23).Infer: 1. The happiness of God's people. 2. The work of God's people. 3. The honour of God's people. 4. The security of God's people. (Sketches of Four Hundred Sermons.) Parallel Verses KJV: And Moses said unto Hobab, the son of Raguel the Midianite, Moses' father in law, 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: for the LORD hath spoken good concerning Israel. |
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