Since the Israelites are God’s chosen people, we tend to think that all the people in the wilderness wanderings were Jews.
But that’s not always the case. The Text mentions a “mixed multitude” that left Egypt (Exodus 12:38), along with laws on how to interact with foreigners in their midst (Leviticus 24:22). Not to mention the fact that Moses’ own wife was from Midian (Exodus 2:15-21).
If his wife was from Midian, than so were his in-laws (obviously). Jethro is mentioned in Exodus 18 as giving Moses some invaluable sage advice concerning administration in the camp, but then, Moses’ brother-in-law appears too. His name is Hobab, and he is named as the son of “Reuel the Midianite, Moses’ father-in-law” (Numbers 10:29).
But wait a second: Wasn’t Jethro the name of Moses’ father-in-law?
People have tried to rationalize this difference several ways, such as claiming that Jethro could have had as many as seven names, or that Reuel was his actual name, whereas Jethro was a title (or vice versa).
However you want to rationalize it is fine with me, because the focus for this article rests on Hobab, Moses’ brother-in-law. And the only reason he appears here is because Moses asks him to stay on as a guide.
Doesn’t that create more problems, though? After all, why does Moses need a guide when he already has God who is leading the people via clouds and fire?
For Hobab, it makes perfect sense. He gets to move along with the people of God and enjoy all the blessings that come with it. He declines at first, but then accepts when Moses insists.
But why is Moses so desperate to get him to stay?
The answer lies at the intersection of faith and providence.
Providence is trusting that God acts behind the scenes in ways we can’t recognize. It’s an Esther 4:14 scenario: “Who knows whether you have attained royalty for such a time as this?”
Faith is the actions consistent with that belief. Because I know that God acts behind the scenes, I will act in faith to do what I can, according to His will, in my own life. I trust that He’s faithful, so I will be obedient.
What does that have to do with Hobab? Everything.
God showed these people where to go, but it was Hobab who showed them where to camp. God took them in the direction of natural resources; Hobab showed them exactly where to find food and water once they got in the area.
In our life, it’s exactly the same. God is the One who provides the guidance for us, but it’s mentors, wisdom, and our own desire for righteousness that does the everyday work. He tells us to worship, but man writes the hymns. He tells us to be baptized, but man collects the water.
Our part and His part join together to create a faith that is unbreakable. He does His part, we do our part. Perfect fellowship.
