Numbers 10:29-32 And Moses said to Hobab, the son of Raguel the Midianite, Moses' father in law, We are journeying to the place of which the LORD said… I. CHRISTIANITY IS AN ELEVATING FORCE, FILLING THE SOUL WITH PURITY AND LOVE. In this text it is exhibited in all the charms of its simplicity and power. "Come with us, and we will do thee good." On a cold day one autumn I happened to be speaking to a farmer where three roads met, and we saw sitting in the hedge side a half-starved melancholy man, to whom we said, "You look pale and ill, my friend." He replied, " My wife and children are in the workhouse. I have sought work up and down in Manchester and have failed to find it. One has told me to go there, another to go yonder; and I came out here to see if any farmer might perhaps find me work in his fields." The good man at my side clapped his hand on the poor fellow's shoulder and said, "Come with me; I will give you some breakfast and then I will find you work to do." That kindly invitation and promise is an inspiration of Christianity. It is not "Go here," or "go there"; but "come with us, and we will do you good." We need a human sympathy that shall prompt us to do to others as we would have them do to us. We should imagine the feelings of others, and treat them as we should like to be treated ourselves were we in their position. II. THE CHRISTIAN LIFE IS AN INVITATION. IS not the Christian like the sun that shines away the darkness? The petals of the flowers are closed up during the night, but when the sun shines upon them they open themselves to receive from his rays beauty and fragrance. So the Christian is a clear shining light in the night of the fog of sin. Even as Christ was the light of the world, so is every Christian a brilliancy. 1. Come first with us to the bar of conviction. 2. Come with us to the door of repentance. 3. Come with us to the seat of mercy. 4. Come with us, and we will lead you to the fountain for uncleanness. 5. Come with us to the Cross. 6. Come with us to the marriage of the Lamb with your soul. III. THE CHRISTIAN LIFE IS A TRACKWAY OF BENEFICENCE, "We will do thee good." The Christian shall be doing good all the days of his life. Let Christians join themselves in a huge co-operative society for beneficence. And, sinners, come with us, and we will do you good. Come and help us to help each other. (W. Birch.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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. |
    |