The journey of the Israelites in the wilderness, as recorded in the book of Exodus, is an interesting one, and Moses, the prophet of God, remains the main character of the journey. Many other men were used of God in the course of the journey. Among them were Aaron, Mariam, Jethro, Zipporah (who fought that females were entitled to their father’s inheritance), Nadab, Joshua (who assisted Moses), and Bezalel (A skilled craftsman who built the tabernacle in the wilderness). In today’s article, I will examine a character that is not widely discussed in the journey of the Israelites. This character is Hobab, the son of Jethro, who is also Moses’ brother-in-law. Briefly, the lesson is divided into three.
The Request of Moses
Moses married Zipporah, the daughter of Jethro, the Midianite. Hobab is the brother of Zipporah and the son of Jethro (Reguel). Jethro heard what God did for the children of Israel and went to visit Moses’s son-in-law. I assume Hobab followed his father to visit Moses. And Moses saw a need for him to accompany the Israelites in the course of their journey.
Numbers 10:29
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.
This request is coming from a great Prophet of God through whom God had delivered the Israelites from bondage. A man who had seen God face to face and had power with God is reaching to a mere man for help in an area of need.
Hobab’s Response
Numbers 10:29
And he said unto him, I will not go; but I will depart to mine own land, and to my kindred.
The response of Hobab indicates that he was interested in going back home to his people, and he never wanted to be a part of the Journey of the Israelites to the land of promise. This response shows the man is one who values his people and his land such that nothing will make him give them away. On the other hand, if Hobab is aware of the future of the company he is asked to join, he would gladly abandon his very lineage and cleave to the offer Moses.
Moses Insisted
Numbers 10:31-33
And he said, Leave us not, I pray thee; forasmuch as thou knowest how we are to encamp in the wilderness, and thou mayest be to us instead of eyes.
And it shall be, if thou go with us, yea, it shall be, that what goodness the LORD shall do unto us, the same will we do unto thee.
Moses would not take a no from Hobab. He persuaded him to follow them. Moses said Leave us not. I want to be careful, but it seems Moses is asking with the same passion with which he told God that if your presence does not go with us, we shall not leave this place. He told Hobab to be their eyes on the journey, for he has a mastery of the road. Moses believed in God’s direction through the pillar of fire and cloud. In addition to this belief, he equally acknowledges that Hobab would be of great assistance.
As you pray to God and seek guidance, you may also need Hobab.
Who is a Hobab?
From the context of Moses, we can say a Hobab is a person with experiences that make our Journey easy. They do not replace the holy spirit, but they help our sojourn on our way to God’s promises.
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