Just Deserts

Numbers 10:11-36

On February 20th of year two the cloud rose and the caravan began. The Israelites said goodbye to the beautiful and luxurious Desert of Sinai and traveled to the surely equally scenic Desert of Paran. The Lord commanded them to leave through Moses.

The next fifteen verses or so detail the order in which they traveled and named the leader of each camp or unit. It's hard to see what use this detail is for us- but maybe closer to the writing of this description people would have taken pride in seeing their family names in the list. You know son, that Shelumiel was your great uncle's great, great father-in-law. ...And that, my boy, is why Zuar is still a family name.

Toward the end of the chapter, Moses has an interesting exchange with his brother-in-law, Hobab. Hobab was a Midianite and when Moses explained they were setting out for the promised land, and that if he tagged along he would be treated well, Hobab wasn't too keen on the idea.

Nope, he said, thanks anyhow Moe, I'm headed back to my own people who don't follow clouds and blow silver trumpets every few days.

Moses knew what Hobab could add to the expedition and begged him to stay. You know all the cool places to camp. Stay and you can be our eyes and we'll share whatever good things God gives us. We'll even call you Good-Eye Hobab.

So apparently he stayed and after three days of following the ark, they settled in.

When the ark set out, Moses would say,

“Rise up, LORD!

May your enemies be scattered;
may your foes flee before you.”

And whenever they rested it he would reply,

“Return, LORD,
to the countless thousands of Israel.”

It's interesting to me to consider the apparent responsibility Moses seems to feel for his traveling companions. He appeals to God on behalf of them all and seems to be reverent and concerned. We're a long way from the staff, rock, and water at this point.