Numbers, not math!

So I'm really enjoying this weeks text. In meditation I thought that the following text had much to do about evangelism in the postmodern world:

And Moses said to Hobab the son of Reuel the Midianite, Moses' father-in-law, "We are setting out for the place of which the LORD said, 'I will give it to you.' Come with us, and we will do good to you, for the LORD has promised good to Israel." But he [Hobab] said to him, "I will not go. I will depart to my own land and to my kindred." And he [Moses] said, "Please do not leave us, for you know where we should camp in the wilderness, and you will serve as eyes for us. And if you do go with us, whatever good the LORD will do to us, the same will we do to you." So they set out from the mount of the LORD three days' journey. And the ark of the covenant of the LORD went before them three days' journey, to seek out a resting place for them. And the cloud of the LORD was over them by day, whenever they set out from the camp. Numbers 10:29-34

Hobab is the son of a nomad (Reuel, Moses' father-in-law) and his family has been with Israel up until the point when God's people are leaving Sinai. Moses implores this gentile to accompany God's people to the promised land. The prophet does this in a way that recognizes the good qualities or knowledge that God had sovereignly, through creation and physical location (Acts 17:26-27), given to Hobab and his family. Moses' inlaws were blessed by God with a knowledge of how and where to live in out in the wilderness. Recognizing this, Moses invites Hobab and family to use this gift toward the benefit of God's kingdom, fulfilling the reason for which they were created. Hobab accepts and joins God's chosen people, recieving the blessings and pleasures that are reserved for Israel alone.

This helps me to see more clearly what it means to call people to believe in God and be saved. Israel alone experiences communion with the Living God and we call people to participate with us, becoming family. All have qualities created in them in order that the individual might use these gifts in service, worship and enjoyment in the LORD.

Any comments???