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Hobab Asked - Hobab Assured · Stornoway Free Church of Scotland - Sermons

• 0:00
  Well, good morning and thank you very much, Ian, for your warm welcome. It's good to be with you and I do bring greetings from the Black Isle from our congregation at Ferentos and Rizollas.
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  We're going to read as our call to worship this morning the words of 1 Peter chapter 1. At verse 24, we read these words,
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  For all flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains forever.
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  And this word is the good news that was preached to you.
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  Well, of course, we associate the fellowship of the gospel with God's house, and we are going to commence our service by singing together from Psalm 122.
• 1:16
  It's the Sing Psalms rendering of Psalm 122.
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  This is on page 169.
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  To the Lord's house they were calling, and with joy I went with them.
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  Now at last our feet are standing in your gates, Jerusalem, and so on.
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  So let's stand, let's sing to the praise of God.
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  Psalm 122.
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  To the Lord's house they were calling, and with joy I went with them.
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  Now at last our feet are standing in your gates, Jerusalem.
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  See Jerusalem like a city, built compactly, close and strong.
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  That is where the tribes assemble, tribes which to the Lord belong.
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  To the Lord's name praise they offer, as for Israel the great.
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  There are set of thrones for judgment, thrones of David's royal seed.
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  Pray for Zion's peace and safety.
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  May your friends securely dwell.
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  Peace within your walls continue.
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  Strength within your citadel.
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  For the sake of friends and brothers, peace be in you I will sing.
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  For the sake of her God's temple, I seek your prosperity.
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  Well let's draw near to God in prayer.
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  Let's pray.
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  Amen.
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  As your people rejoiced during the days of ancient Israel, it is truly a joy for us to be in the Lord's house on the Lord's day.
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  And for this renewed opportunity to gather in gospel fellowship, we give thanks.
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  We praise you for how your people gravitate towards the gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
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  And we pray that on this Lord's day, the sound of the gospel would resonate far and wide.
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  We pray that in our towns and villages and crofting townships alike, knees would bow and tongues would confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.
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  And as we pray for our communities, so we pray for our cities, our countries and continents alike.
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  And so we pray that the proclamation of the gospel would be heard across our world, indeed to the far ends of the earth.
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  We praise you for your living and abiding and enduring word.
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  And as we gather under its supreme authority, so we pray that we would read it and engage with it with heartfelt reverence.
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  Still our hearts even now and enable us to worship you, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
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  May we do so in spirit and sincerity and in truth.
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  May God the Holy Spirit hover over us.
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  May God the Holy Spirit minister to us and enable us, we pray, to have as our great endeavor the glory and honor and praise of your name.
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  and so we seek your blessing upon us we ask oh lord that you would forgive us for we confess
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  our sins we pray for cleansing through the shed blood of jesus our sinless sin bearer
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  and so we come in his name giving thanks that we have in this moment direct access to the very
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  throne room of heaven through our mediator and advocate with the father we ask oh lord that you
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  would grant us now grace and mercy and peace for all we ask is in jesus name and for his sake amen
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  well it's wonderful to see so many boys and girls now we're going to think
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  just for a few moments on the bible as a manual for life but before doing so we're going to read
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  together from the bible from the new testament from second timothy chapter 3
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  now the apostle paul writes to a very young timothy
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  and as he writes to him he is urging timothy to read his bible
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  now we're going to read from verse 14 in second timothy chapter 3 this is on page 1199 of the pages
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  so timothy so timothy so timothy so timothy so timothy so timothy so timothy so timothy so timothy
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  but as for you continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed knowing from whom
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  you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings which are
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  able to make you wise for salvation through faith in christ jesus all scripture is breathed out by god
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  and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
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  that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.
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  The Bible, a manual for life. Now, there are manuals and there are manuals. I have here
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  a screenshot of a manual that's probably more familiar to, shall we say, a more mature generation
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  here today. Decades ago, almost every garage across Lewis would have had a copy of Haynes' manual.
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  This one is for the Ford Escort, the Owner's Workshop Manual. These are now readily available
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  on eBay and on other platforms, but much of these manuals are no longer available. You've got to
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  go looking for them. But if you had a manual like this and you owned a car and you thought,
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  I can strip it down, I can reassemble it, I can fix it, then you'd have turned the pages of Haynes'
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  workshop manual. But the Bible is a manual for life. Now, this manual, it's been around for a long time.
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  In fact, it was first published, Haynes' workshop manual, back in 1965. Now, that was a long time ago.
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  But really, Paul is saying to young Timothy here that the Bible has been around much longer.
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  Because when you start reading your Bible, you'll discover that many of the Bible stories,
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  if you go way, way, way, way back to book number one of 66, then you're taken back thousands upon
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  thousands of years. Now, unlike the Bible, Haynes' manual is not a one-size-fits-all. Great if you own a
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  Ford Escort, but this particular manual is of no use to you if you own, for example, a Volkswagen
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  Golf. Now, Haynes' manual is, well, mainly for cars. But the Bible is a manual for life.
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  Haynes equips you to get to know your car better. But Paul is saying here that the Bible thoroughly
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  equips us for getting to know the Lord Jesus Christ and walking with him every day. Sadly,
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  John Harold Haynes, who first published this manual back in 65, well, he's no longer with us. He died
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  in 2019 at the age of 80. But Jesus lives, and he ever lives. And when we turn the pages of the Bible,
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  the Bible points us, doesn't it, to the Lord Jesus. Now, as I said at the beginning, many of Haynes'
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  manuals are now history and of no use to anyone because, well, most of the cars we drive these days
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  are a world removed from the Ford Escort of 1980 to 1982. But the Bible, as Paul tells us here,
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  is God breathed. It is inspired. You can't say that about any other book you have in your library.
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  And whenever we're talking about Haynes' manual, we're talking in the past tense. We're talking
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  about stuff that was. But you see, the Bible is useful. Paul is speaking in the present tense.
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  It's useful for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, and training in righteousness,
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  training us how we can have a right relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
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  And finally, Haynes' workshop manual, well, it made many of its readers in decades past into very,
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  very good mechanics. But the Bible makes its reader into a man or a woman of God. So I want to encourage
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  you today to read your Bible. There's nothing terribly scientific about that, but it is so,
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  so important to read your Bible every day, to read it carefully, to read it prayerfully. And as you do so,
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  ask the Lord to lead you and to guide you to Jesus, to get to know him and to walk with him
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  every day in life. Because the Bible is a manual for all of life. Amen. We're going to pray together.
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  We're going to pray the words of the Lord's Prayer. So let's do that as the Lord Jesus taught his
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  disciples. So we pray with one voice. Let's do so in unison. Our Father who art in heaven,
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  hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
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  Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass
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  against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom,
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  the power, and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
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  Well, let's continue to sing to the praise of God. Psalm 19.
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  And this is the Scottish Psalter version of Psalm 19.
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  On page 223. And we're singing verses 7 to 11.
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  A psalm which focuses on various aspects of the Bible. Verse 7, the Bible, God's law is perfect
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  and converts the soul in sin that lies. God's testimony is most sure and makes the simple wise. So let's
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  sing these verses to the praise of God.
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  God's law is perfect and converts the soul in sin that lies. God's testimony is most sure and makes the simple wise.
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  God's law is perfect and makes the simple wise. The statutes of the Lord are right and do rejoice the heart.
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  God's law is perfect and does not do rejoice the Lord's command. The Lord's command is pure and does not do the eyes impart.
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  God's law is perfect and does not do groan, but dethens the groan, but dethens the groan, but dethens the groan, but dethens the groan, but dethens the groan, but dethens the groan, but dethens the groan, but dethens the groan, but dethens the groan, but dethens the groan, but dethens the groan, but dethens the groan, but dethens the groan, but dethens the groan, but dethens the groan, but dethens the groan, but dethens the groan, but dethens the groan, but dethens the groan, but dethens the groan, dethens the groan, dethens the groan, dethens the groan, dethens the groan, dethens the groan, dethens the groan, dethens the groan,
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  They more than gold, yea, much fine gold to be desired are.
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  Than honey, honey from the cold that drop the sweeter far.
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  Moreover they thy servant warned, how he this life should frame.
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  A great reward provided is for them that keep the same.
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  Well we're going to read God's word together once again.
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  This time from the Old Testament scriptures from the book of Numbers and chapter 10.
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  On page 142, Numbers chapter 10 and we're going to take up our reading at verse 11.
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  Numbers 10, 11.
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  In the second year, in the second month, on the twentieth day of the month, the cloud lifted from over the tabernacle of the testimony.
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  And the people of Israel set out by stages from the wilderness of Sinai.
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  And the cloud settled down in the wilderness of Peran.
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  They set out for the first time at the command of the Lord by Moses.
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  The standard of the camp of the people of Judah set out first by their companies.
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  And over their company was Nation, the son of Amminadab.
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  And over the company of the tribe of the people of Issachar was Nethanel, the son of Zuer.
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  And over the company of the tribe of the people of Zebulun was Eliab, the son of Helan.
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  And when the tabernacle was taken down, the sons of Gershon and the sons of Merari, who carried the tabernacle, set out.
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  And the standard of the camp of Reuben set out by their companies.
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  And over their company was Eliezer, the son of Shadur.
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  And over the company of the tribe of the people of Simeon was Shalumiel, the son of Zerushaddai.
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  And over the company of the tribe of the people of Gad was Eliaseth, the son of Jeul.
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  Then the Kohathites set out carrying the holy things.
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  And the tabernacle was set up before their arrival.
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  And the standard of the camp of the people of Ephraim set out by their companies.
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  And over their company was Eliashemah, the son of Ammihud.
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  And over the company of the tribe of the people of Manasseh was Gamaliel, the son of Pedazur.
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  And over the company of the tribe of the people of Benjamin was Abiodun, the son of Gideonai.
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  Then the standard of the camp of the people of Dan, acting as the rear guard of all the camps set out by their companies.
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  And over their company was Ahazer, the son of Amishadai.
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  And over the company of the tribe of the people of Asher was Pediel, the son of Ochron.
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  And over the company of the tribe of the people of Naphtali was Ehairad, the son of Enon.
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  This was the order of march of the people of Israel by their companies when they set out.
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  And Moses said to Hobab, the son of Reuel, the Midianite, Moses' father-in-law,
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  We are setting out for the place of which the Lord said,
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  I will give it to you.
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  Come with us and we will do good to you.
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  For the Lord has promised good to Israel.
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  But he said to him, I will not go.
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  I will depart to my own land and to my kindred.
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  And he said, please do not leave us.
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  For you know where we should camp in the wilderness and you will serve as eyes for us.
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  And if you do go with us, whatever good the Lord will do to us the same will we do to you.
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  So they set out from the mount of the Lord for three days journey.
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  And the ark of the covenant of the Lord went before them for three days journey to seek out a resting place for them.
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  And the cloud of the Lord was over them by day whenever they set out from the camp.
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  And whenever the ark set out, Moses said, arise, O Lord, and let your enemies be scattered and let those who hate you flee before you.
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  And when it rested, he said, return, O Lord, to the ten thousand thousands of Israel.
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  Amen.
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  Amen.
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  And we trust we know God will add his blessing to the reading of his holy and inspired word.
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  Let's continue to sing to the praise of God.
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  Psalm 23 on page 28.
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  It's the Sing Psalms version.
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  The Lord is my shepherd.
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  He's my shepherd.
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  And this he has done his great name to display.
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  Though I walk in death's valley where darkness is near.
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  Because you are with me, no evil I'll fear.
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  Your rod and your staff bring me comfort and cheer.
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  In the sight of my enemies, a table you spread.
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  The oil of rejoicing you poured on my head.
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  My cup overflows and I'm graciously fed.
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  So surely your covenant, mercy and grace will follow me closely in all of my ways.
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  I will dwell in the house of the Lord all my days.
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  Well, before we turn to God's word, let's once again bow our heads.
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  Let's unite our hearts in prayer.
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  Shepherd us now, we pray.
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  Thank you, gracious God, gracious God, into the green pastures and still waters of holy scripture.
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  Open the eyes of our understanding.
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  Give us light.
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  Give us gospel clarity as only you can.
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  We pray that you would bind us together
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  as one in Christ Jesus.
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  Grant your blessing upon us
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  for it is your blessing we long for,
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  the blessing that makes one rich and adds no sorrow.
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  We praise you for the indescribable gift
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  of your Son, your one and only Son,
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  your only begotten Son,
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  the Son of your steadfast and unfailing love.
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  How we praise you today anew
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  for the one in whom we have redemption
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  through his shed blood,
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  the forgiveness of our sins,
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  according to the riches of your grace,
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  which you have lavished upon us
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  via Calvary's cross.
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  Remember us, we pray,
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  as we bring our cares and our concerns
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  before you at the throne of grace.
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  You are the God of all grace,
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  and for the sufficiency of your grace,
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  we give thanks.
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  We praise you that you are the God of all comfort,
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  so may you bring comfort,
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  consolation, encouragement,
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  strength to all this day
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  who may be in need
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  of having a felt awareness
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  of your presence,
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  of your grace and mercy and peace anew.
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  So draw near to us
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  and grant us now, we pray,
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  to wait upon the Lord.
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  May we know
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  the joy of the Lord as our strength,
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  and may we look to you
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  with our eyes fixed on Jesus,
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  the pioneer and the perfecter of our faith.
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  For we ask all things
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  in his name and for his sake.
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  Amen.
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  Well, turn with me, if you will,
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  to the book of Numbers,
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  to the passage we read together
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  from Numbers chapter 10.
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  Our text is verse 29,
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  the words of Moses to Hobab.
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  Come with us,
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  and we will do good to you,
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  for the Lord has promised good to Israel.
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  A man named Hobab.
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  Now, the Old Testament has,
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  you might say,
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  a register of peculiar names.
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  And whilst some are,
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  these days,
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  very popular baby names,
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  such as Adam and Caleb and Noah,
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  Leah, Esther, Hannah, Rebecca,
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  you are less likely to find the name
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  of Hobab on a birth certificate.
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  After all,
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  he is mentioned ever so briefly
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  on the pages of Scripture.
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  Other than this reference,
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  we have in Numbers chapter 10,
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  verse 29,
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  he is not referred to again
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  across the landscape
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  of the book of Numbers.
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  There are two further indirect references
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  to Hobab in the book of Judges,
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  but that's it.
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  So,
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  why turn the spotlight
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  this morning
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  on someone
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  who seems
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  so insignificant
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  and somewhat
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  irrelevant?
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  There are,
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  after all,
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  some 3,000
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  names
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  in the Bible
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  to choose from.
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  So,
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  why
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  Hobab?
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  Well,
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  because I would argue
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  that there is much
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  to glean
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  from this Bible character.
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  There is much
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  for us to learn
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  from Hobab
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  here in Numbers chapter 10,
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  so much so
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  that we're going
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  to spend the day
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  unpacking this passage
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  before us.
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  We are going to be
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  a little forensic,
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  more of a fine-tooth comb
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  than a broad brush,
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  as we explore
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  verses 29 to 36
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  of Numbers chapter 10.
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  But this morning,
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  we're going to focus
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  primarily
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  on the words
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  of verse 29,
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  and we're going to do so
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  under two headings,
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  two A's.
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  Hobab
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  asked
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  and Hobab
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  assured.
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  What has he asked?
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  What are we to make
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  of the invitation
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  of Moses?
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  Come with us
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  and
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  we will do
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  good
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  to you.
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  We will treat
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  you well.
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  Well,
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  that is the assurance
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  that Hobab
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  is given
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  in its
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  sum and substance.
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  So,
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  Hobab
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  asked,
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  now,
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  Numbers chapter 10,
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  if we go back
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  to verse 11
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  where we began
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  to read
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  this narrative
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  concerning Hobab,
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  it marks
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  a significant
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  turning point
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  for Israel.
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  You might say
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  a new beginning.
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  Having pitched
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  their tents
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  for a whole year
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  at Mount Sinai,
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  it's now time
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  to move on.
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  Indeed,
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  we read
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  that they set
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  out,
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  verse 12,
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  to begin
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  the conquest
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  of Canaan.
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  So,
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  picture the scene,
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  if you will,
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  at this key
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  landmark.
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  There they are,
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  assembled,
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  mobilized
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  into orderly ranks
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  with standards
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  and banners
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  lifted up.
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  Destination
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  Canaan,
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  the promised land.
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  Now,
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  our interest
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  this morning
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  is in the
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  personal dynamic
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  to the narrative,
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  particularly
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  verse 29,
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  because it
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  revolves around
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  this character
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  by the name
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  of Hobab,
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  Moses'
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  Midianite
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  brother-in-law.
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  Note that
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  he is asked
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  to join
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  the people
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  of Israel
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  to sign up,
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  to subscribe,
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  to walk
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  with Moses
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  and the people
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  of Israel,
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  to accompany
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  them through
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  the wilderness,
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  and to play
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  a meaningful
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  part as a,
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  verse 31,
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  service provider
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  in assisting
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  Israel
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  in navigating
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  their way
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  to Canaan.
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  So,
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  why Hobab?
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  What is it
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  about Hobab?
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  Why is Moses
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  so compelled
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  to speak to him
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  and ask him
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  to come
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  with them?
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  Well,
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  Hobab
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  is a
• 35:45
  knowledgeable,
• 35:46
  resourceful
• 35:47
  man who
• 35:48
  is more
• 35:49
  than familiar
• 35:50
  with the
• 35:51
  desert terrain.
• 35:54
  Hobab
• 35:54
  can provide
• 35:55
  much-needed
• 35:56
  guidance,
• 35:58
  direction,
• 35:59
  and practical
• 36:01
  advice
• 36:01
  for mapping
• 36:03
  out purposes
• 36:04
  and more
• 36:04
  besides.
• 36:07
  But if we
• 36:08
  just take
• 36:09
  the spotlight
• 36:09
  away from
• 36:10
  Hobab
• 36:11
  for a moment
• 36:12
  and turn
• 36:12
  the spotlight
• 36:13
  on Moses,
• 36:15
  then it
• 36:17
  tells us
• 36:17
  also,
• 36:18
  doesn't it,
• 36:18
  something
• 36:19
  interesting,
• 36:20
  something that
• 36:21
  perhaps warms
• 36:22
  our hearts
• 36:23
  about the
• 36:25
  great leader
• 36:25
  of Israel
• 36:26
  himself.
• 36:27
  does he
• 36:30
  really need
• 36:30
  Hobab?
• 36:32
  After all,
• 36:33
  he's an
• 36:34
  outstanding
• 36:35
  leader.
• 36:37
  He's well
• 36:38
  resourced.
• 36:39
  yes,
• 36:42
  but does
• 36:43
  Moses not
• 36:44
  recognize
• 36:44
  too that
• 36:46
  he is
• 36:47
  not
• 36:47
  indispensable?
• 36:49
  You'll
• 36:50
  recall how
• 36:50
  his father-in-law,
• 36:52
  Jethro,
• 36:53
  had reminded
• 36:54
  him back
• 36:55
  in Exodus
• 36:56
  18 of
• 36:57
  his need
• 36:58
  to delegate
• 36:59
  responsibility
• 37:01
  onto
• 37:02
  others.
• 37:04
  wise
• 37:06
  counsel.
• 37:07
  Here we
• 37:08
  are in
• 37:08
  Numbers
• 37:09
  chapter 10.
• 37:10
  Moses,
• 37:11
  yes,
• 37:11
  he is
• 37:12
  assured
• 37:13
  of
• 37:14
  divine
• 37:15
  protection.
• 37:17
  But he
• 37:17
  also seems
• 37:18
  to be
• 37:19
  saying
• 37:19
  here that
• 37:21
  he also
• 37:21
  values
• 37:22
  human
• 37:23
  support
• 37:24
  and
• 37:25
  assistance.
• 37:27
  Yes,
• 37:28
  here is
• 37:28
  the
• 37:28
  illustrious
• 37:29
  Moses,
• 37:32
  the
• 37:32
  godly
• 37:33
  servant
• 37:33
  of
• 37:34
  God
• 37:34
  who
• 37:35
  knew
• 37:35
  God
• 37:35
  face
• 37:36
  to
• 37:36
  face.
• 37:38
  But he's
• 37:39
  also,
• 37:40
  in the
• 37:40
  words of
• 37:41
  the
• 37:42
  commentator
• 37:43
  Raymond
• 37:43
  Brown,
• 37:45
  a mere
• 37:46
  man,
• 37:48
  with all
• 37:49
  the natural
• 37:50
  hesitancy
• 37:51
  and fears
• 37:52
  that anyone
• 37:53
  would feel
• 37:54
  on the verge
• 37:55
  of such
• 37:56
  a massive
• 37:57
  enterprise.
• 37:59
  I want
• 38:00
  you to
• 38:00
  think of
• 38:01
  Hobab
• 38:01
  as the
• 38:02
  ultimate
• 38:03
  Sherpa.
• 38:03
  Hobab.
• 38:04
  So,
• 38:05
  if this
• 38:06
  was
• 38:06
  Everest
• 38:07
  terrain,
• 38:09
  then you
• 38:09
  would
• 38:10
  instinctively
• 38:11
  call
• 38:11
  someone
• 38:12
  like
• 38:13
  Hobab,
• 38:14
  someone
• 38:14
  well-informed
• 38:16
  and
• 38:16
  experienced.
• 38:19
  But I
• 38:19
  want us
• 38:19
  to stop
• 38:20
  there because
• 38:21
  he is
• 38:23
  not merely
• 38:24
  being called
• 38:25
  upon here
• 38:26
  as a
• 38:27
  facilitator,
• 38:28
  as a
• 38:28
  pilot,
• 38:29
  as a
• 38:29
  navigator,
• 38:30
  as a
• 38:31
  root
• 38:31
  finder,
• 38:32
  no,
• 38:33
  there is
• 38:33
  so much
• 38:35
  more
• 38:35
  to what
• 38:36
  is unfolding.
• 38:38
  There is
• 38:39
  always
• 38:40
  substance
• 38:41
  to
• 38:41
  Scripture
• 38:42
  and verse
• 38:44
  29 of
• 38:44
  Numbers 10
• 38:45
  is no
• 38:46
  exception.
• 38:48
  Notice
• 38:48
  that Moses'
• 38:50
  invitation
• 38:50
  goes so
• 38:52
  much
• 38:53
  deeper.
• 38:53
  What we
• 38:55
  have here
• 38:56
  in verse
• 38:57
  29
• 38:58
  is a
• 39:00
  personal
• 39:01
  gospel
• 39:02
  invitation.
• 39:04
  An
• 39:05
  invitation,
• 39:06
  you might
• 39:07
  say,
• 39:08
  with a
• 39:08
  powerful
• 39:09
  gospel
• 39:10
  dynamic
• 39:10
  to it.
• 39:11
  But I
• 39:13
  know that
• 39:14
  the moment
• 39:14
  we make
• 39:16
  reference
• 39:16
  to the
• 39:17
  word
• 39:17
  gospel,
• 39:19
  someone
• 39:19
  might be
• 39:20
  thinking,
• 39:20
  hold on,
• 39:21
  this is
• 39:22
  not the
• 39:23
  New
• 39:24
  Testament.
• 39:26
  We are
• 39:26
  not here
• 39:27
  on the
• 39:27
  pages of
• 39:28
  Matthew,
• 39:29
  Mark,
• 39:29
  Luke,
• 39:30
  or John.
• 39:32
  The
• 39:32
  book of
• 39:33
  Numbers
• 39:34
  centers on
• 39:35
  ancient
• 39:35
  Israel,
• 39:37
  not the
• 39:38
  first
• 39:38
  century
• 39:39
  world
• 39:40
  of the
• 39:40
  gospel.
• 39:41
  Well,
• 39:43
  that's
• 39:43
  true,
• 39:44
  but there
• 39:45
  are
• 39:45
  clear,
• 39:47
  very
• 39:47
  clear
• 39:48
  overtones
• 39:49
  of the
• 39:50
  good news
• 39:51
  of the
• 39:51
  gospel
• 39:52
  here,
• 39:53
  as you
• 39:54
  will find
• 39:55
  across
• 39:56
  the pages
• 39:57
  of the
• 39:58
  Old
• 39:59
  Testament.
• 40:00
  Let's
• 40:01
  not forget
• 40:02
  how it
• 40:03
  begins.
• 40:04
  Where do
• 40:05
  we first
• 40:05
  see that
• 40:06
  powerful,
• 40:07
  moving,
• 40:08
  stirring
• 40:09
  gospel
• 40:10
  dynamic?
• 40:10
  We see
• 40:11
  it,
• 40:11
  don't we,
• 40:12
  in Genesis
• 40:12
  chapter 3,
• 40:14
  verse 15.
• 40:16
  Theologians
• 40:17
  call it
• 40:17
  the
• 40:18
  Proto-Evangelium,
• 40:21
  the first
• 40:22
  announcement
• 40:23
  of the
• 40:24
  gospel
• 40:25
  on the
• 40:25
  pages of
• 40:26
  scripture.
• 40:27
  And yes,
• 40:28
  this is
• 40:29
  book 1
• 40:29
  of 66,
• 40:32
  and the
• 40:33
  gospel
• 40:33
  is beginning
• 40:34
  to resonate
• 40:35
  as we
• 40:37
  begin
• 40:37
  our
• 40:38
  journey
• 40:39
  through
• 40:40
  redemption
• 40:41
  history.
• 40:44
  Genesis
• 40:45
  3, 15
• 40:46
  revolves
• 40:46
  around the
• 40:47
  offspring
• 40:48
  of the
• 40:49
  woman,
• 40:50
  the one
• 40:52
  who would
• 40:53
  triumph
• 40:53
  over the
• 40:54
  old
• 40:55
  serpent,
• 40:56
  and his
• 40:57
  name is
• 40:58
  Jesus
• 40:59
  Christ.
• 40:59
  he
• 41:01
  shall
• 41:03
  bruise
• 41:04
  your
• 41:05
  head,
• 41:06
  God
• 41:06
  says,
• 41:08
  to the
• 41:08
  serpent
• 41:09
  in the
• 41:11
  narrative
• 41:11
  of the
• 41:12
  fall.
• 41:14
  Yes,
• 41:15
  the
• 41:15
  gospels
• 41:16
  are a
• 41:17
  distinct
• 41:17
  part of
• 41:18
  the New
• 41:18
  Testament,
• 41:19
  but
• 41:21
  exploring
• 41:23
  gospel
• 41:24
  themes
• 41:24
  like
• 41:25
  Numbers
• 41:26
  10,
• 41:27
  29
• 41:28
  within
• 41:28
  on the
• 41:29
  pages of
• 41:30
  the Old
• 41:31
  Testament
• 41:31
  provides
• 41:32
  us,
• 41:32
  doesn't
• 41:32
  it,
• 41:32
  with a
• 41:33
  deeper
• 41:33
  understanding
• 41:34
  of the
• 41:35
  Bible
• 41:35
  as a
• 41:36
  whole
• 41:36
  and of
• 41:37
  how the
• 41:37
  Old
• 41:38
  Testament
• 41:38
  points
• 41:39
  us
• 41:40
  consistently
• 41:43
  in the
• 41:45
  direction
• 41:45
  of
• 41:46
  Jesus.
• 41:47
  The
• 41:48
  Old
• 41:48
  Testament
• 41:49
  gravitates
• 41:50
  towards
• 41:51
  Jesus
• 41:51
  and
• 41:51
  ultimately
• 41:52
  crystallizes
• 41:54
  in
• 41:55
  Jesus
• 41:56
  Christ.
• 41:57
  The
• 41:58
  great
• 41:59
  translator
• 41:59
  of
• 42:00
  Scripture
• 42:00
  himself,
• 42:01
  William
• 42:01
  Tyndale,
• 42:02
  puts it
• 42:03
  so,
• 42:03
  so well,
• 42:05
  the
• 42:05
  Scriptures
• 42:06
  spring
• 42:08
  out of
• 42:08
  God
• 42:09
  and
• 42:10
  flow
• 42:10
  into
• 42:11
  Christ
• 42:11
  and
• 42:12
  were
• 42:12
  given
• 42:12
  to
• 42:13
  lead
• 42:13
  us
• 42:14
  to
• 42:14
  Christ.
• 42:16
  Well,
• 42:16
  Numbers
• 42:17
  10
• 42:17
  is no
• 42:18
  exception.
• 42:19
  So I
• 42:20
  want us
• 42:20
  to see
• 42:21
  that this
• 42:21
  passage
• 42:22
  is
• 42:22
  bulging
• 42:23
  with what
• 42:24
  we're
• 42:24
  going to
• 42:24
  call
• 42:25
  gospel
• 42:25
  markers.
• 42:27
  The
• 42:28
  invitation
• 42:28
  of the
• 42:29
  gospel
• 42:30
  and
• 42:30
  Hobab's
• 42:31
  response
• 42:32
  to it
• 42:33
  is
• 42:33
  played
• 42:34
  out
• 42:34
  very,
• 42:35
  very
• 42:35
  clearly
• 42:35
  here.
• 42:37
  So the
• 42:37
  symbolic
• 42:38
  significance
• 42:38
  of what
• 42:39
  unfolds
• 42:40
  is
• 42:41
  striking.
• 42:43
  You see,
• 42:43
  Hobab
• 42:44
  is essentially
• 42:45
  being
• 42:45
  invited
• 42:46
  here
• 42:47
  by
• 42:47
  Moses
• 42:48
  to
• 42:48
  enter
• 42:49
  into
• 42:49
  fellowship
• 42:50
  with
• 42:51
  God's
• 42:51
  people.
• 42:53
  It is
• 42:54
  a call
• 42:55
  to
• 42:55
  discipleship
• 42:56
  and there
• 42:57
  are overtones
• 42:58
  here of
• 42:59
  that key
• 43:01
  discipleship
• 43:02
  directive
• 43:03
  follow me
• 43:05
  so central
• 43:06
  to the
• 43:07
  gospel
• 43:07
  ministry
• 43:08
  of the
• 43:08
  Lord
• 43:09
  Jesus
• 43:09
  on the
• 43:10
  pages
• 43:10
  of the
• 43:11
  gospel
• 43:11
  but we
• 43:12
  see it
• 43:12
  here.
• 43:13
  you
• 43:15
  might
• 43:15
  say
• 43:16
  that
• 43:16
  it's
• 43:16
  a
• 43:16
  big
• 43:17
  ask
• 43:18
  from
• 43:19
  Hobab's
• 43:19
  perspective.
• 43:21
  Well,
• 43:21
  so it
• 43:22
  is.
• 43:23
  But for
• 43:23
  you and
• 43:24
  I this
• 43:24
  morning
• 43:24
  there are
• 43:25
  moments
• 43:25
  in life
• 43:26
  when we
• 43:27
  either
• 43:28
  accept
• 43:29
  or
• 43:30
  decline
• 43:30
  an
• 43:31
  invitation
• 43:32
  to
• 43:33
  various
• 43:34
  life
• 43:34
  events,
• 43:35
  functions,
• 43:36
  meetings,
• 43:38
  receptions,
• 43:38
  and other
• 43:39
  occasions.
• 43:39
  But you
• 43:40
  see,
• 43:41
  Numbers
• 43:41
  10
• 43:42
  29
• 43:42
  takes us
• 43:43
  into the
• 43:45
  realm
• 43:45
  of one
• 43:46
  of life's
• 43:48
  defining
• 43:49
  moments.
• 43:50
  This is
• 43:51
  a momentous
• 43:52
  invitation
• 43:53
  like no
• 43:54
  other.
• 43:55
  And how
• 43:56
  you respond
• 43:57
  today
• 43:58
  to this
• 44:00
  gospel
• 44:01
  invitation
• 44:01
  of Numbers
• 44:02
  10
• 44:03
  29
• 44:04
  matters
• 44:05
  more than
• 44:06
  anything else
• 44:07
  that's unfolding
• 44:07
  in your life
• 44:08
  right now.
• 44:09
  In fact,
• 44:11
  it will
• 44:11
  determine
• 44:12
  how you
• 44:13
  live the
• 44:14
  rest of
• 44:14
  your life
• 44:15
  and where
• 44:17
  you will
• 44:17
  spend the
• 44:17
  endless
• 44:18
  ages of
• 44:18
  eternity.
• 44:20
  This is
• 44:21
  serious
• 44:21
  business.
• 44:23
  Hobab
• 44:24
  is
• 44:24
  invited.
• 44:27
  It's
• 44:27
  more of
• 44:27
  an exhortation,
• 44:29
  isn't it?
• 44:29
  Come with
• 44:30
  us
• 44:30
  to associate
• 44:33
  himself
• 44:34
  with Israel,
• 44:36
  to join
• 44:37
  the circle,
• 44:37
  to position
• 44:39
  himself
• 44:40
  behind the
• 44:41
  ark of
• 44:42
  the covenant
• 44:42
  and to
• 44:43
  follow the
• 44:43
  pillar of
• 44:44
  clouds,
• 44:45
  to walk
• 44:47
  by faith,
• 44:47
  to follow
• 44:48
  not just
• 44:49
  God's
• 44:49
  people,
• 44:50
  but God
• 44:51
  himself.
• 44:54
  And should
• 44:54
  he come
• 44:55
  along,
• 44:56
  Hobab is
• 44:57
  assured
• 44:58
  that he
• 45:00
  will be
• 45:01
  made to
• 45:02
  feel
• 45:03
  most welcome,
• 45:04
  he will
• 45:05
  be well
• 45:06
  received,
• 45:07
  and he
• 45:07
  will be
• 45:08
  embraced
• 45:08
  with
• 45:09
  generosity
• 45:10
  and
• 45:10
  kindness.
• 45:12
  We
• 45:12
  will
• 45:13
  treat
• 45:14
  you
• 45:14
  well,
• 45:15
  is what
• 45:16
  Moses
• 45:17
  conveys to
• 45:18
  Hobab
• 45:18
  literally
• 45:19
  in the
• 45:20
  words we
• 45:21
  have here.
• 45:25
  And by
• 45:26
  extension,
• 45:27
  this is
• 45:29
  your assurance
• 45:30
  today too,
• 45:32
  should you
• 45:32
  come
• 45:32
  and follow
• 45:34
  in the
• 45:34
  footsteps
• 45:35
  of
• 45:36
  Hobab.
• 45:37
  But secondly,
• 45:40
  Hobab
• 45:40
  assured.
• 45:42
  Now,
• 45:43
  what are we
• 45:44
  to make
• 45:45
  of Moses'
• 45:46
  words of
• 45:46
  assurance
• 45:47
  to Hobab
• 45:48
  here?
• 45:49
  Well,
• 45:50
  the words
• 45:50
  are interesting.
• 45:52
  We will
• 45:53
  do good
• 45:54
  to you,
• 45:55
  we will
• 45:55
  treat you
• 45:56
  well,
• 45:57
  for the
• 45:57
  Lord has
• 45:58
  promised
• 45:58
  good things
• 46:00
  for Israel.
• 46:02
  Hobab's
• 46:04
  assurance
• 46:05
  is founded
• 46:06
  on the
• 46:07
  goodness
• 46:07
  and
• 46:09
  faithfulness
• 46:10
  of God.
• 46:13
  The
• 46:13
  Lord,
• 46:14
  in his
• 46:14
  covenant
• 46:15
  faithfulness,
• 46:17
  has promised
• 46:18
  good things
• 46:19
  for Israel,
• 46:21
  primarily
• 46:21
  the
• 46:24
  promised
• 46:24
  land.
• 46:25
  And this
• 46:27
  is what
• 46:27
  Moses
• 46:28
  is alluding
• 46:30
  to.
• 46:31
  Hobab
• 46:32
  now has
• 46:33
  the
• 46:33
  opportunity
• 46:34
  to become
• 46:34
  a recipient
• 46:35
  of this
• 46:36
  covenant
• 46:37
  promise
• 46:37
  and the
• 46:38
  multiple
• 46:39
  blessings
• 46:40
  that go
• 46:41
  with it.
• 46:42
  He's
• 46:43
  invited,
• 46:44
  he's
• 46:45
  encouraged,
• 46:46
  he's
• 46:47
  exhorted
• 46:47
  in the
• 46:48
  imperative
• 46:49
  mood.
• 46:51
  Come
• 46:52
  with us,
• 46:53
  walk
• 46:54
  with us,
• 46:56
  journey
• 46:56
  with us
• 46:57
  on this
• 46:57
  epic journey,
• 46:58
  and we
• 46:58
  will treat
• 46:59
  you well.
• 47:01
  You will
• 47:01
  share,
• 47:02
  you too,
• 47:03
  yes Hobab,
• 47:03
  you too
• 47:04
  will share
• 47:05
  in our
• 47:06
  inheritance
• 47:07
  of God's
• 47:08
  goodness
• 47:08
  and loving
• 47:11
  kindness.
• 47:12
  This is
• 47:13
  his assurance
• 47:14
  should he
• 47:15
  come along
• 47:16
  and it
• 47:17
  is
• 47:18
  quite
• 47:19
  compelling.
• 47:21
  Again,
• 47:22
  there are
• 47:23
  gospel
• 47:24
  overtones
• 47:25
  to this
• 47:25
  promised
• 47:26
  inheritance
• 47:27
  that we
• 47:29
  find,
• 47:30
  don't we,
• 47:30
  across the
• 47:31
  scriptures.
• 47:33
  Listen to
• 47:34
  the words
• 47:34
  of Peter
• 47:35
  in 1
• 47:36
  Peter 1
• 47:36
  verses 3
• 47:37
  and 4.
• 47:38
  Praise be
• 47:39
  to the
• 47:40
  God and
• 47:40
  Father of
• 47:41
  our Lord
• 47:41
  Jesus
• 47:42
  Christ.
• 47:42
  In his
• 47:43
  great
• 47:43
  mercy,
• 47:44
  he has
• 47:45
  given us
• 47:46
  in Jesus
• 47:47
  an inheritance
• 47:48
  that can
• 47:49
  never perish,
• 47:50
  spoil,
• 47:51
  or fade.
• 47:53
  And he
• 47:53
  says this
• 47:54
  inheritance
• 47:55
  is kept
• 47:56
  in heaven
• 47:57
  for you.
• 48:01
  You see,
• 48:02
  what was
• 48:03
  promised in
• 48:03
  Numbers 10
• 48:04
  29 is
• 48:06
  fulfilled
• 48:07
  in the
• 48:08
  Lord Jesus
• 48:09
  Christ.
• 48:09
  the ultimate
• 48:11
  inheritance
• 48:12
  we have
• 48:14
  in Christ
• 48:15
  is
• 48:16
  Emmanuel's
• 48:17
  land,
• 48:19
  the heavenly
• 48:20
  city that
• 48:21
  has foundations
• 48:22
  whose
• 48:23
  designer and
• 48:24
  builder is
• 48:25
  God.
• 48:27
  Hebrews 11
• 48:28
  10,
• 48:29
  alluding,
• 48:30
  of course,
• 48:30
  to that
• 48:31
  great promise
• 48:32
  given to
• 48:32
  Abraham.
• 48:33
  Abraham.
• 48:35
  And Abraham
• 48:37
  actively
• 48:38
  pursued
• 48:39
  this
• 48:41
  great
• 48:42
  promise.
• 48:44
  He was
• 48:44
  looking
• 48:45
  forward
• 48:46
  to it,
• 48:47
  the writer
• 48:48
  to the
• 48:48
  Hebrews
• 48:48
  tells us
• 48:49
  in
• 48:50
  11
• 48:50
  10.
• 48:53
  You see,
• 48:54
  the words
• 48:54
  of
• 48:54
  Numbers
• 48:56
  10
• 48:56
  29,
• 48:57
  these words
• 48:58
  were uttered
• 48:59
  some 3,500
• 49:01
  years ago.
• 49:02
  And isn't it
• 49:03
  remarkable that
• 49:04
  these words
• 49:05
  continue to
• 49:05
  resonate with
• 49:06
  us today
• 49:07
  and are
• 49:08
  amplified
• 49:09
  through
• 49:10
  the
• 49:11
  gospel.
• 49:13
  So,
• 49:14
  Numbers
• 49:14
  10
• 49:14
  29 has
• 49:15
  lost
• 49:16
  nothing of
• 49:17
  its gospel
• 49:18
  intensity.
• 49:19
  This
• 49:19
  invitation
• 49:20
  comes to
• 49:21
  us
• 49:22
  today
• 49:22
  within
• 49:23
  these
• 49:23
  walls
• 49:24
  with the
• 49:24
  propelling
• 49:25
  thrust
• 49:26
  of the
• 49:26
  gospel.
• 49:28
  It has
• 49:28
  lost
• 49:29
  nothing
• 49:29
  of its
• 49:30
  weight
• 49:30
  and
• 49:31
  urgency.
• 49:32
  Come
• 49:33
  with
• 49:33
  us.
• 49:36
  It's a
• 49:36
  familiar
• 49:37
  formula
• 49:37
  of words,
• 49:38
  isn't it?
• 49:40
  You might
• 49:41
  say,
• 49:42
  it sounds
• 49:42
  like.
• 49:43
  Well,
• 49:43
  it does.
• 49:45
  Come
• 49:45
  with us
• 49:46
  is very
• 49:47
  similar to,
• 49:48
  for example,
• 49:49
  what Philip
• 49:50
  said to a
• 49:51
  somewhat
• 49:51
  skeptical
• 49:52
  Nathaniel
• 49:53
  in the
• 49:54
  opening
• 49:55
  chapter of
• 49:56
  John's
• 49:56
  gospel.
• 49:57
  If you
• 49:57
  read from
• 49:58
  verse 43,
• 49:59
  the narrative
• 50:00
  unfolds.
• 50:01
  But what
• 50:02
  does he
• 50:02
  say to
• 50:03
  this
• 50:03
  somewhat
• 50:04
  cynical
• 50:05
  Nathaniel?
• 50:06
  Come.
• 50:06
  Come with
• 50:07
  us.
• 50:07
  Come and
• 50:08
  see.
• 50:11
  Accompany
• 50:12
  me.
• 50:13
  Let me
• 50:13
  take you
• 50:14
  to the
• 50:14
  feet of
• 50:15
  Jesus.
• 50:17
  Nathaniel
• 50:18
  is a
• 50:18
  reluctant
• 50:19
  disciple
• 50:20
  who,
• 50:21
  before
• 50:21
  accepting
• 50:22
  Philip's
• 50:23
  invitation
• 50:23
  to come
• 50:24
  to Jesus,
• 50:25
  questions
• 50:26
  whether
• 50:26
  anything
• 50:27
  good
• 50:27
  can
• 50:28
  come
• 50:28
  out
• 50:28
  of
• 50:29
  Nazareth.
• 50:31
  But,
• 50:32
  oh,
• 50:32
  when he
• 50:33
  comes
• 50:33
  and when
• 50:34
  he
• 50:35
  follows
• 50:35
  Jesus,
• 50:37
  he is
• 50:38
  immediately,
• 50:38
  just like
• 50:39
  Hobab,
• 50:40
  assured
• 50:40
  of seeing
• 50:43
  greater
• 50:44
  things.
• 50:47
  Come
• 50:48
  with us.
• 50:49
  This is
• 50:49
  the great
• 50:50
  anthem of
• 50:51
  the Church
• 50:52
  of Christ.
• 50:54
  It's a
• 50:55
  personal
• 50:55
  invitation
• 50:56
  inviting you
• 50:58
  this morning
• 50:58
  if you
• 50:59
  have not
• 50:59
  as yet
• 51:00
  embraced
• 51:01
  this
• 51:02
  invitation
• 51:03
  to come,
• 51:05
  to come
• 51:06
  into
• 51:06
  Christian
• 51:07
  fellowship.
• 51:08
  It's a
• 51:09
  call to
• 51:10
  Christian
• 51:10
  discipleship
• 51:12
  to publicly
• 51:13
  associate
• 51:14
  yourself,
• 51:15
  yes,
• 51:16
  in this
• 51:16
  very moment
• 51:17
  with God's
• 51:20
  own people
• 51:20
  and to
• 51:21
  lift the
• 51:22
  gospel
• 51:22
  standard,
• 51:24
  the
• 51:25
  banner
• 51:25
  of
• 51:27
  Jesus
• 51:28
  Christ
• 51:28
  and to
• 51:29
  join the
• 51:30
  circle
• 51:30
  and follow
• 51:32
  Jesus.
• 51:32
  We are
• 51:33
  talking about
• 51:34
  an open
• 51:35
  confession
• 51:36
  of faith
• 51:38
  in Jesus
• 51:39
  Christ.
• 51:41
  Is this
• 51:42
  the moment
• 51:42
  where some
• 51:43
  of us
• 51:43
  here today
• 51:44
  will stand
• 51:45
  up and
• 51:46
  stand out
• 51:47
  and respond
• 51:50
  in a
• 51:51
  positive
• 51:51
  vein to
• 51:52
  this
• 51:52
  gospel
• 51:53
  invitation
• 51:53
  of
• 51:54
  Numbers
• 51:54
  1029.
• 51:56
  The
• 51:57
  assurance,
• 51:59
  the
• 51:59
  declaration,
• 52:00
  the
• 52:00
  guarantee
• 52:01
  that is
• 52:02
  extended to
• 52:04
  Hobab
• 52:04
  has not
• 52:08
  changed.
• 52:10
  I assure
• 52:11
  you today
• 52:12
  on the
• 52:12
  authority of
• 52:13
  God's
• 52:13
  word that
• 52:14
  we,
• 52:15
  the people
• 52:16
  of God
• 52:17
  will do
• 52:19
  you good.
• 52:20
  We will
• 52:21
  treat you
• 52:22
  well.
• 52:24
  Now,
• 52:25
  coming back
• 52:27
  to Hobab,
• 52:28
  he knows
• 52:29
  a thing or
• 52:30
  two about
• 52:30
  the wilderness.
• 52:31
  Let's be
• 52:32
  clear about
• 52:32
  that.
• 52:33
  He knows
• 52:34
  that the
• 52:34
  wilderness
• 52:34
  out there
• 52:35
  beyond
• 52:35
  Sinai
• 52:36
  is difficult.
• 52:37
  It's
• 52:38
  demanding.
• 52:39
  It's
• 52:39
  challenging
• 52:40
  terrain,
• 52:41
  and Moses
• 52:41
  will not
• 52:42
  try to
• 52:43
  pull the
• 52:43
  wool over
• 52:44
  his eyes.
• 52:47
  Because
• 52:47
  Hobab
• 52:48
  knows too
• 52:48
  much.
• 52:50
  He knows
• 52:51
  the wilderness
• 52:51
  far better
• 52:52
  than Moses.
• 52:54
  He knows
• 52:55
  that it's a
• 52:56
  dangerous world
• 52:57
  out there.
• 52:59
  Yet,
• 52:59
  he is
• 52:59
  reminded
• 53:00
  that God
• 53:01
  has promised
• 53:02
  an abundance
• 53:04
  of good
• 53:05
  things
• 53:06
  to his
• 53:07
  covenant
• 53:08
  people.
• 53:09
  Multiple
• 53:10
  blessings
• 53:10
  await him.
• 53:11
  a promised
• 53:13
  land
• 53:13
  flowing
• 53:14
  with
• 53:14
  milk
• 53:15
  and
• 53:15
  honey.
• 53:19
  Now,
• 53:20
  Hobab
• 53:21
  has seen
• 53:21
  for himself,
• 53:22
  of course,
• 53:23
  in the
• 53:24
  life of
• 53:25
  his brother-in-law,
• 53:26
  Moses,
• 53:28
  that God
• 53:28
  is indeed
• 53:29
  true to
• 53:29
  his word.
• 53:30
  Yes,
• 53:31
  he is
• 53:31
  truthful,
• 53:32
  he is
• 53:32
  faithful,
• 53:33
  and he
• 53:33
  is covenant
• 53:33
  keeping.
• 53:34
  Because
• 53:34
  the same
• 53:35
  Moses,
• 53:36
  this is
• 53:37
  the same
• 53:38
  Moses we're
• 53:38
  talking about,
• 53:39
  who refused
• 53:40
  to be called
• 53:41
  the son
• 53:42
  of Pharaoh's
• 53:43
  daughter,
• 53:44
  he who was
• 53:44
  once a prince
• 53:45
  in Egypt,
• 53:46
  walking through
• 53:47
  the corridors
• 53:48
  of power
• 53:50
  within the
• 53:51
  palace.
• 53:53
  But he
• 53:54
  chose,
• 53:55
  of course,
• 53:56
  he chose
• 53:56
  rather to be
• 53:57
  ill-treated
• 53:57
  with the
• 53:59
  people of
• 53:59
  God
• 54:00
  than to
• 54:01
  enjoy,
• 54:02
  as Hebrews
• 54:03
  11,
• 54:03
  24 puts it,
• 54:04
  the fleeting
• 54:05
  pleasures
• 54:06
  of sin.
• 54:07
  And he
• 54:10
  has endured
• 54:10
  much,
• 54:11
  but his
• 54:11
  endurance
• 54:12
  has not
• 54:13
  been without
• 54:13
  enjoyment.
• 54:15
  Moses
• 54:15
  has experienced
• 54:17
  God's
• 54:18
  presence,
• 54:19
  God's
• 54:20
  power,
• 54:22
  God's
• 54:23
  blessing
• 54:24
  time and
• 54:25
  again.
• 54:28
  So,
• 54:29
  come with
• 54:30
  us
• 54:31
  is applicable
• 54:34
  to you
• 54:35
  an eye
• 54:36
  today,
• 54:36
  because,
• 54:37
  you see,
• 54:38
  just like
• 54:38
  the Israelites
• 54:39
  at the
• 54:40
  beginning of
• 54:40
  this narrative
• 54:41
  back in
• 54:42
  verse 11,
• 54:44
  every day
• 54:45
  of our
• 54:45
  lives,
• 54:46
  we too
• 54:47
  are setting
• 54:48
  out,
• 54:49
  we too
• 54:50
  are embarking
• 54:51
  on a journey
• 54:51
  into the
• 54:52
  unknown.
• 54:54
  We don't
• 54:54
  have a clue
• 54:55
  when we get
• 54:55
  up in the
• 54:56
  morning how
• 54:56
  the day
• 54:56
  is going
• 54:57
  to unfold
• 54:58
  and how
• 54:58
  it's going
• 54:58
  to end.
• 54:59
  life is
• 55:01
  uncertain.
• 55:03
  However,
• 55:04
  there is,
• 55:05
  as this
• 55:06
  passage
• 55:07
  reminds us,
• 55:09
  absolute
• 55:09
  certainty
• 55:10
  in the
• 55:10
  promises of
• 55:11
  God.
• 55:13
  The future
• 55:13
  is as
• 55:14
  bright
• 55:15
  for the
• 55:16
  Christian
• 55:17
  today as
• 55:17
  the promises
• 55:18
  of God,
• 55:19
  because all
• 55:20
  of his
• 55:20
  promises are
• 55:21
  yes,
• 55:22
  amen,
• 55:22
  in Christ
• 55:25
  Jesus.
• 55:26
  You see,
• 55:27
  Numbers 10
• 55:28
  comes with
• 55:29
  a concrete
• 55:30
  assurance that
• 55:31
  God's
• 55:32
  covenant
• 55:32
  mercy and
• 55:34
  grace will
• 55:35
  follow me
• 55:35
  closely in
• 55:36
  all of my
• 55:37
  ways and
• 55:39
  that ultimately
• 55:40
  I will
• 55:41
  dwell in
• 55:42
  the house
• 55:43
  of the
• 55:43
  Lord all
• 55:45
  my
• 55:46
  days,
• 55:48
  world
• 55:48
  without
• 55:49
  end.
• 55:50
  This is
• 55:50
  the dynamic
• 55:51
  of the
• 55:52
  great
• 55:53
  assurance
• 55:54
  that
• 55:56
  Hobab
• 55:57
  is being
• 55:59
  assured
• 56:00
  of.
• 56:02
  We see
• 56:02
  it,
• 56:03
  don't we,
• 56:03
  in the
• 56:04
  writings of
• 56:06
  John
• 56:06
  Newton,
• 56:07
  in that
• 56:08
  great
• 56:08
  song,
• 56:10
  that great
• 56:11
  hymn of
• 56:11
  praise,
• 56:12
  amazing
• 56:13
  grace.
• 56:16
  The
• 56:17
  Lord has
• 56:18
  promised
• 56:19
  good
• 56:20
  to me.
• 56:22
  His
• 56:23
  word,
• 56:23
  my hope
• 56:24
  secures.
• 56:26
  He will
• 56:27
  my shield
• 56:28
  and portion
• 56:29
  be as
• 56:30
  long as
• 56:31
  life
• 56:31
  endures.
• 56:35
  So I
• 56:36
  want to
• 56:36
  ask,
• 56:37
  just as
• 56:38
  Hobab
• 56:38
  was asked,
• 56:39
  as we
• 56:40
  close now,
• 56:42
  will you
• 56:43
  resolve
• 56:43
  to come
• 56:44
  on this
• 56:45
  journey?
• 56:46
  Do you
• 56:46
  feel the
• 56:46
  excitement
• 56:47
  of this
• 56:48
  moment at
• 56:48
  Mount
• 56:49
  Sinai?
• 56:49
  God
• 56:50
  will
• 56:51
  be
• 56:52
  to
• 56:53
  leave.
• 56:56
  And just
• 56:57
  like Hobab,
• 56:58
  you too are
• 56:58
  encouraged,
• 56:59
  as we
• 57:01
  bring this
• 57:01
  service to a
• 57:02
  close,
• 57:03
  as we
• 57:03
  pronounce the
• 57:04
  benediction,
• 57:05
  to sign up,
• 57:07
  to come
• 57:08
  with us.
• 57:08
  So how will
• 57:09
  you respond to
• 57:10
  this gospel
• 57:11
  invitation today?
• 57:12
  That is the
• 57:13
  question.
• 57:13
  Will you
• 57:14
  join the
• 57:15
  circle,
• 57:15
  and will
• 57:16
  you sit
• 57:17
  with us
• 57:17
  at the
• 57:18
  feet of
• 57:19
  the Lord
• 57:19
  Jesus
• 57:19
  Christ?
• 57:20
  There is
• 57:20
  no better
• 57:21
  place to
• 57:22
  be seated.
• 57:24
  Because you
• 57:25
  see, this
• 57:26
  gospel
• 57:26
  invitation of
• 57:28
  Numbers 10
• 57:29
  29 finds
• 57:30
  its ultimate
• 57:31
  fulfillment in
• 57:33
  one greater
• 57:35
  than Moses.
• 57:38
  In the
• 57:38
  very personal
• 57:40
  invitation of
• 57:41
  the Lord
• 57:41
  Jesus,
• 57:43
  on the
• 57:43
  pages of
• 57:44
  Matthew 11
• 57:45
  verse 28,
• 57:47
  again,
• 57:48
  sounds like,
• 57:51
  come,
• 57:52
  Jesus says,
• 57:53
  come to me,
• 57:54
  come with
• 57:55
  me,
• 57:55
  come to
• 57:56
  me all
• 57:57
  you who
• 57:58
  labor and
• 57:59
  are heavy
• 57:59
  laden,
• 58:00
  and I
• 58:01
  assure you
• 58:02
  that I
• 58:02
  will give
• 58:03
  you rest.
• 58:05
  Come with
• 58:05
  me and I
• 58:06
  will do
• 58:06
  you good.
• 58:08
  You will
• 58:09
  find rest
• 58:10
  for your
• 58:12
  souls.
• 58:14
  God
• 58:15
  will
• 58:18
  Hobab
• 58:18
  do?
• 58:20
  Well, that
• 58:21
  remains to
• 58:22
  be seen.
• 58:23
  And if you
• 58:24
  are interested
• 58:24
  in how all
• 58:26
  of this
• 58:26
  unfolds,
• 58:27
  because it's
• 58:28
  not without
• 58:29
  an element
• 58:30
  of uncertainty,
• 58:32
  there's an
• 58:33
  element of
• 58:33
  suspense at
• 58:34
  this point.
• 58:35
  but if you
• 58:37
  are interested
• 58:38
  in what
• 58:39
  happens next
• 58:40
  and how it
• 58:41
  all concludes,
• 58:43
  come back at
• 58:44
  six o'clock,
• 58:45
  because we're
• 58:46
  going to
• 58:47
  revisit this
• 58:47
  passage,
• 58:48
  and we're
• 58:50
  going to
• 58:51
  navigate our
• 58:52
  way through
• 58:52
  it and
• 58:53
  determine how
• 58:55
  it all
• 58:57
  ends.
• 58:58
  But the
• 58:58
  big question
• 58:59
  today is
• 59:01
  for how
• 59:01
  this service
• 59:03
  ends for
• 59:04
  you.
• 59:05
  Will you
• 59:05
  respond to
• 59:06
  this invitation
• 59:07
  in the
• 59:07
  here and
• 59:08
  now, and
• 59:10
  come to
• 59:11
  the feet
• 59:12
  of Jesus?
• 59:15
  Amen.
• 59:16
  Our
• 59:17
  heavenly
• 59:18
  Father, we
• 59:18
  praise you
• 59:20
  for the
• 59:21
  invitation of
• 59:22
  the gospel,
• 59:24
  how we
• 59:25
  give thanks
• 59:26
  today for
• 59:30
  the
• 59:30
  multiple
• 59:32
  invitations
• 59:34
  and exhortations
• 59:35
  we have
• 59:36
  across the
• 59:38
  pages of
• 59:39
  the Bible.
• 59:41
  We thank
• 59:42
  you for the
• 59:43
  compelling
• 59:43
  words we
• 59:44
  have engaged
• 59:45
  with this
• 59:46
  morning,
• 59:47
  and may
• 59:48
  we be
• 59:49
  led to
• 59:52
  stand
• 59:53
  where
• 59:55
  Hobab
• 59:55
  stood with
• 59:56
  Moses.
• 59:57
  all these
• 59:59
  generations
• 1:00:01
  ago, in
• 1:00:02
  the mists
• 1:00:02
  of time,
• 1:00:04
  and yet
• 1:00:04
  your word
• 1:00:05
  is both
• 1:00:08
  timeless
• 1:00:08
  and timely.
• 1:00:10
  It speaks
• 1:00:11
  to us
• 1:00:11
  now, and
• 1:00:13
  may we
• 1:00:14
  sense your
• 1:00:15
  still small
• 1:00:16
  voice bidding
• 1:00:18
  us to
• 1:00:20
  come.
• 1:00:21
  In
• 1:00:21
  Jesus'
• 1:00:22
  name,
• 1:00:22
  Amen.
• 1:00:23
  We're
• 1:00:26
  going to
• 1:00:27
  sing in
• 1:00:28
  conclusion to
• 1:00:28
  the praise
• 1:00:29
  of God
• 1:00:29
  the words
• 1:00:30
  of Psalm
• 1:00:30
  34.
• 1:00:33
  It's the
• 1:00:34
  Scottish
• 1:00:34
  Psalter.
• 1:00:39
  It's on
• 1:00:39
  page 247.
• 1:00:48
  And we're
• 1:00:49
  going to
• 1:00:49
  sing verses
• 1:00:50
  8 to
• 1:00:51
  15.
• 1:00:53
  this great
• 1:00:59
  gospel
• 1:01:00
  invitation of
• 1:01:01
  the Psalter
• 1:01:01
  to taste,
• 1:01:03
  to see,
• 1:01:03
  to experience
• 1:01:05
  the reality
• 1:01:06
  of God's
• 1:01:07
  goodness
• 1:01:07
  in Christ.
• 1:01:10
  Oh,
• 1:01:10
  taste and
• 1:01:11
  see that
• 1:01:11
  God is
• 1:01:12
  good,
• 1:01:12
  who trusts
• 1:01:13
  in him
• 1:01:13
  is blessed,
• 1:01:14
  fear God
• 1:01:15
  his saints,
• 1:01:16
  none that
• 1:01:17
  him fear
• 1:01:17
  shall be
• 1:01:18
  with want
• 1:01:19
  oppressed.
• 1:01:21
  Let's
• 1:01:21
  sing these
• 1:01:23
  stanzas
• 1:01:23
  and
• 1:01:23
  conclusion.
• 1:01:27
  Oh,
• 1:01:27
  taste and
• 1:01:29
  see that
• 1:01:31
  God
• 1:01:32
  is good,
• 1:01:33
  who trusts
• 1:01:35
  in him
• 1:01:37
  is blessed,
• 1:01:40
  fear God
• 1:01:42
  the saints,
• 1:01:43
  and the saints
• 1:01:44
  none that
• 1:01:45
  in fear
• 1:01:47
  shall be
• 1:01:49
  with want
• 1:01:50
  oppressed.
• 1:01:51
  oppressed.
• 1:01:53
  The lions
• 1:01:57
  young may
• 1:01:59
  hungry be,
• 1:02:02
  and they
• 1:02:04
  may lack
• 1:02:06
  their food,
• 1:02:09
  but they
• 1:02:10
  that truly
• 1:02:13
  seek the
• 1:02:15
  Lord
• 1:02:16
  shall not
• 1:02:18
  lack
• 1:02:19
  any good.
• 1:02:22
  O children,
• 1:02:26
  hither
• 1:02:27
  do ye
• 1:02:29
  come,
• 1:02:31
  and unto
• 1:02:32
  me
• 1:02:34
  give ear,
• 1:02:37
  I
• 1:02:38
  shall
• 1:02:40
  you
• 1:02:40
  teach
• 1:02:41
  to
• 1:02:42
  understand
• 1:02:44
  how he
• 1:02:47
  the Lord
• 1:02:49
  should
• 1:02:50
  fear.
• 1:02:51
  What
• 1:02:52
  man
• 1:02:54
  is he
• 1:02:56
  that
• 1:02:57
  life
• 1:02:58
  desires
• 1:03:00
  to see
• 1:03:02
  good
• 1:03:03
  would
• 1:03:04
  live
• 1:03:05
  on,
• 1:03:07
  and
• 1:03:08
  lips
• 1:03:09
  refrain
• 1:03:10
  from
• 1:03:12
  speaking
• 1:03:13
  God,
• 1:03:15
  and from
• 1:03:17
  ill
• 1:03:18
  words
• 1:03:19
  thy
• 1:03:20
  tongue.
• 1:03:22
  Depart
• 1:03:24
  from
• 1:03:25
  ill,
• 1:03:26
  do
• 1:03:27
  good,
• 1:03:28
  seek
• 1:03:29
  peace,
• 1:03:30
  pursue
• 1:03:31
  eternally.
• 1:03:37
  God's
• 1:03:38
  eyes
• 1:03:39
  are
• 1:03:40
  on
• 1:03:41
  the
• 1:03:41
  just,
• 1:03:42
  his
• 1:03:43
  ears
• 1:03:44
  are
• 1:03:46
  open
• 1:03:47
  to
• 1:03:48
  their
• 1:03:49
  cry.
• 1:03:52
  The
• 1:03:53
  grace of
• 1:03:54
  the Lord
• 1:03:54
  Jesus
• 1:03:54
  Christ,
• 1:03:55
  the love
• 1:03:55
  of God
• 1:03:56
  the Father,
• 1:03:57
  and the
• 1:03:57
  fellowship
• 1:03:57
  of the
• 1:03:58
  Holy
• 1:03:58
  Spirit,
• 1:03:59
  remain
• 1:03:59
  with us
• 1:04:00
  all.
• 1:04:01
  Amen.