2-19-16. Numbers 10:11-36. The Israelites leave Sinai At God’s Command – my devotional

 Numbers 10:11-46                           Kevin E. Jesmer

Key verse 10: 13                                  2-19-16

“They set out, this first time, at the Lord’s command through Moses”

Part 1: The Israelites Leave Sinai (11-28)

Verses 11-36, “11 On the twentieth day of the second month of the second year, the cloud lifted from above the tabernacle of the covenant law. 12 Then the Israelites set out from the Desert of Sinai and traveled from place to place until the cloud came to rest in the Desert of Paran. 13 They set out, this first time, at the Lord’s command through Moses. 14 The divisions of the camp of Judah went first, under their standard. Nahshon son of Amminadab was in command. 15 Nethanel son of Zuar was over the division of the tribe of Issachar, 16 and Eliab son of Helon was over the division of the tribe of Zebulun. 17 Then the tabernacle was taken down, and the Gershonites and Merarites, who carried it, set out. 18 The divisions of the camp of Reuben went next, under their standard. Elizur son of Shedeur was in command. 19 Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai was over the division of the tribe of Simeon, 20 and Eliasaph son of Deuel was over the division of the tribe of Gad. 21 Then the Kohathites set out, carrying the holy things. The tabernacle was to be set up before they arrived. 22 The divisions of the camp of Ephraim went next, under their standard. Elishama son of Ammihud was in command. 23 Gamaliel son of Pedahzur was over the division of the tribe of Manasseh, 24 and Abidan son of Gideoni was over the division of the tribe of Benjamin. 25 Finally, as the rear guard for all the units, the divisions of the camp of Dan set out under their standard. Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai was in command. 26 Pagiel son of Okran was over the division of the tribe of Asher, 27 and Ahira son of Enan was over the division of the tribe of Naphtali. 28 This was the order of march for the Israelite divisions as they set out. “

This chapter begins with God’s people resting at Mount Sinai. The people were very excited about coming out of the desert, and they were very tired on their march to Horeb. God knew this.  And so Israel had rested an entire year at Mount Sinai. When the cloud moved on ahead of his people, God was leading them in victory. When the cloud rested, it revealed the God who was protecting and caring for his own. God calls his people to move, but he also calls his people to rest. He cared for his people.

But now it as time to break camp and move. After receiving God’s travel instructions through Moses, Israel set out from Mount Sinai to the Desert of Paran on their way to the Promised Land. Look at verses 11-13, “11 On the twentieth day of the second month of the second year, the cloud lifted from above the tabernacle of the covenant law. 12 Then the Israelites set out from the Desert of Sinai and traveled from place to place until the cloud came to rest in the Desert of Paran. 13 They set out, this first time, at the Lord’s command through Moses.”  There are times to rest and times to move ahead with the Lord. It is not always moving ahead. But now was the time to move ahead.

There was a clear order when they set out. Verse 28 reads, “This was the order of march for the Israelite divisions as they set out.“ There were three tribes that went first. They would blaze the trail to negotiate or engage in any battles. Then those tending the Tabernacle and the holy things set out. The portability of the Tabernacle showed that God was moving with this people. The intent was that the Tabernacle would be set up when the rest of the tribes arrived. Finally there were tribes in the rear of the assembly. These would protect the Israelites from assaults from behind. God was very wise in setting up the formation of the nation. Again…all the more reason to trust God and his ways.

Even though they were in a wilderness, the cloud was still there with them. The Tabernacle was with them. The Israelites were constantly moving through the desert. They were able to handle change only because God’s presence in the Tabernacle was there.

For us, stability does not mean lack of change. Life is full of change. You can’t avoid change. But it stability is achieved when we are moving with God in every circumstance. True stability is then found.

Part 2: Human Resource Management 101 by Moses (29-36)

We can learn come great management principles from Moses. Look at verse 29-36. We are not sure who Hobab was. It could have been another name for Jethro. In Hebrew, Hobab means “marriage relationship”. This man could have been Jethro or a brother of Jethro.

Numbers 10:29-36, “29 Now Moses said to Hobab son of Reuel the Midianite, Moses’ father-in-law, “We are setting out for the place about which the Lord said, ‘I will give it to you.’ Come with us and we will treat you well, for the Lord has promised good things to Israel.” 30 He answered, “No, I will not go; I am going back to my own land and my own people.” 31 But Moses said, “Please do not leave us. You know where we should camp in the wilderness, and you can be our eyes. 32 If you come with us, we will share with you whatever good things the Lord gives us.” 33 So they set out from the mountain of the Lord and traveled for three days. The ark of the covenant of the Lord went before them during those three days to find them a place to rest. 34 The cloud of the Lord was over them by day when they set out from the camp. 35 Whenever the ark set out, Moses said, “Rise up, Lord! May your enemies be scattered; may your foes flee before you.” 36 Whenever it came to rest, he said, “Return, Lord, to the countless thousands of Israel.”

Moses complimented Hobab’s skills. By complimenting Hobab’s desert skills, Moses was letting him know he was needed. It was not just empty words. Moses saw the facts held up the man’s skills in high esteem. People cannot know that they are appreciated if you do not let tell them. Complimenting those who deserve it, builds relationships and helps people know that they are valued members of the group.

Moses was very inclusive. “29 Now Moses said to Hobab son of Reuel the Midianite, Moses’ father-in-law, “We are setting out for the place about which the Lord said, ‘I will give it to you.’ Come with us and we will treat you well, for the Lord has promised good things to Israel.” 30 He answered, “No, I will not go; I am going back to my own land and my own people.” 31 But Moses said, “Please do not leave us. You know where we should camp in the wilderness, and you can be our eyes. 32 If you come with us, we will share with you whatever good things the Lord gives us.” 

Hobab was not an Israelite. But Moses was inviting him to be part of the people of God. He was taking an outsider and making him an insider. This same invitation is given to us, who were once outsiders and were made insiders through faith. Listen to Jesus’ invite in Matthew 11:28-30, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (NIV) Weary and burdened Hobab was being invited to find rest among the people of God.

He appears to have ignored the invite saying in verse 29b, “…No, I will not go; I am going back to my own land and my own people.” In the end, I am not sure what he chose to do. Maybe Moses was able to change his mind. But how foolish he would be to ignore such an invite and how blessed he would be if he accepted it!

Moses looked for ways for people to utilize their talents. Look at verse 31, “But Moses said, “Please do not leave us. You know where we should camp in the wilderness, and you can be our eyes.”  Hobab had some clear skills that were very valuable in the work of God. Moses helped him to see his talents and to find ways to apply them. And there was room within the body to apply his skills. This is a role of any spiritual leader to help people discover their talents and apply them.

Moses inspired the people to obey the Lord. Verse 34-36, “The cloud of the Lord was over them by day when they set out from the camp. 35 Whenever the ark set out, Moses said, “Rise up, Lord! May your enemies be scattered; may your foes flee before you.” 36 Whenever it came to rest, he said, “Return, Lord, to the countless thousands of Israel.” Psalm 68 was written as a result of this prayer of Moses. He was always ready to inspire others to obey the Lord, by encouraging them, reminding them that God is with them and leading them in victory.

     Moses prayed to the Lord on behalf of his people. Any leader, must support their people in prayer.

     Moses gave his people the proper perspective on what is happening. Look at verses 35-36 again, “35 Whenever the ark set out, Moses said, “Rise up, Lord! May your enemies be scattered; may your foes flee before you.” 36 Whenever it came to rest, he said, “Return, Lord, to the countless thousands of Israel.” He framed what was happening, helping his people to see things from God’s point of view. During times of change, it is the role of a spiritual leader to help people frame what is happening around them.

Everything was in place and ready. The trumpets sounded, and the people set out for the Promised Land. The people set out in order and marched together toward the Promised Land. The Ark of the Covenant went before them.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your mindful care for each of us. We find our rest in you and we find our strength in you. Lead and guide us. We trust in you…help us to obey.

One Word: Moses helped his people to obey and follow the Lord to the Promised Land.