The Right Abilities For The Job

The Right Abilities for the Job

Q: Because of his skill, Moses’ brother-in-law, Hobab, did what?

• a. read the Scriptures to the people
• b. built wagons for traveling
• c. served as a wilderness guide

God blesses different people with different skills. Moses was a gifted leader. Aaron was the spokesman. Miriam sang and led praise. Each of these three siblings brought different abilities to the journey to the Promised Land.

The Israelites were still in Sinai, but the cloud had lifted, and after about 11 months of being camped there, it was time to move on. The Tabernacle was taken down and prepared for travel. The tribes packed and lined up in order. Hobab, Moses’ brother-in-law (his wife’s brother), had been with Moses while they were camped. Now he prepared to go back to his own family and people.

Moses wanted Hobab to travel with the Israelites. Hobab knew the area they were in and would have been able to give them advice about where to camp and find water. Hobab knew the dangers and problems, and he could offer good counsel to Moses.

It isn’t known whether Hobab journeyed with the Israelites to Canaan or returned home. Even though Moses valued Hobab’s skills and wanted him to travel with them, God was ultimately guiding the people by using the cloud to show them where and when to go.

For You

God gave Hobab the gift of understanding the wilderness and surviving in the desert. That made him a valuable guide. That may not seem like a great talent, but it was very useful. The talents God gave you may not seem as important as those your friends have, but they are the exact abilities God needs you to have to accomplish the work he’s planned for you. Look for opportunities to develop and use those abilities.

Answer: c

“Please don’t leave us,” Moses pleaded. “You know the places in the wilderness where we should camp. Come, be our guide.”   Numbers 10:31

(The Whole Story: Numbers 10:29-36)