SEEK THE WISE

PASTOR RYAN LADEN – DEVOTIONALS

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As the people of God followed the presence of the Lord that appeared to them in the pillar of fire and cloud, they were instructed by Moses, the prophet and servant of the Lord. We know that Moses had a special relationship with God, unlike any other apart from Jesus Christ.

In Numbers 7:89 we hear an examples of this relationship, “When Moses entered the tent of meeting to speak with the LORD, he heard the voice speaking to him from between the two cherubim above the atonement cover on the ark of the covenant law. In this way the LORD spoke to him.”

Need Help?

It would seem that Moses had all he would need to be able to lead the people from their time of slavery into their new future as the free children of the Lord. After all, Moses could inquire of the Lord as he needed and he was anointed with the Spirit of God (Numbers 11:25). Surely Moses did not need any outside wisdom to be the leader the Lord had called him to become?

In the passage that follows we hear how Moses did in fact need help from others and that this help would make all the difference to the success of this journey. 

29 Now Moses said to Hobab son of Reuel the Midianite, Moses’ father-in-law, “We are setting out for the place about which the LORD said, ‘I will give it to you.’ Come with us and we will treat you well, for the LORD has promised good things to Israel.”

30 He answered, “No, I will not go; I am going back to my own land and my own people. ”

31 But Moses said, “Please do not leave us. You know where we should camp in the wilderness, and you can be our eyes. 32 If you come with us, we will share with you whatever good things the LORD gives us. ” 

33 So they set out from the mountain of the LORD and traveled for three days. The ark of the covenant of the LORD went before them during those three days to find them a place to rest. 34 The cloud of the LORD was over them by day when they set out from the camp. 35 Whenever the ark set out, Moses said, “Rise up, LORD! May your enemies be scattered; may your foes flee before you. ” 36 Whenever it came to rest, he said, “Return, LORD, to the countless thousands of Israel. ”

(Numbers 10::29-36 NIV11)

Hobab?

Who was this person that Moses turned to in need of wisdom? Hobab was the son of Reuel (or Jethro) the father-in-law of Moses’ Midianite wife named Zipporah. Reuel was most likely a descendent of Esau as he seems to be listed as one of the descendants of Edom who settled in the region known as Midian.

Point

The point being made here is that even with the physical manifestation of God’s presence in the pillar of fire and cloud, and even with Moses’ ability to inquire of the Lord as needed, there were still lots of areas of concern facing the people as they wondered in the wilderness. 

By beseeching his brother-in-law to remain with the people that to be a guide for their journey, Moses demonstrated a principle of good leadership that we too would be wise to take on board. 

Trusted Advisor

Moses sought out a trusted advisor who had walked this road already. He did not assume that he alone was the source of all good leadership and wisdom and he turned to someone that had proven himself to be a trustworthy advisor. 

•  We too would be wise to seek out these kinds of experienced travelers, people who have been there, done that. 
•  Why should we not learn from the wisdom gained by those who have walked before us on the path of life? 
•  Why should we be the ones to get bloodied as we trip on the same hazards that others have faced? 
•  We should be able to learn from those trusted guides who care about our wellbeing. 

Sharing

There is another principle of good leadership in this passage that is worth noting. 

Moses included his adviser in the blessings of the work at hand. Hobab was not to forsake being with his family just because Moses asked. He was given a share in the gifts and blessings that the Lord would bring to the people of Israel. 

•  Are you open to seeking out someone to be your mentor and advisor?
•  Are you willing to listen to their advice and learn from their mistakes and victories?
•  Are you willing to include them in your blessings and abundance?

Moses was not afraid of looking weak or incapable by asking for help. It is actually what made him a better and more capable leader. 

In Christ, 

Ryan Laden

PASTOR RYAN LADEN

Works at MTN. CHURCH

Former Senior pastor at Warnbro Community Church

Studies at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary

Studied at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary

Studied at Baylor University

Studied at Texas Tech University

Went to Castle Hills First Baptist

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