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I. As we meditate upon these words we are reminded generally of THE EXERCISES OF EVENING DEVOTION. We connect this sentence with every individual who formed a part of that mighty host: we fancy that we hear these words whispering from the lips of every one as he enters his tent, and as he folds himself for rest. And then we connect it with the families, the tribes of the people, the groups of kindred, remote and intimate, in that singularly constituted nation, which, you know, consisted of one race — all were brothers by blood. And we connect it, further, with the congregation at large — the sum total of that great multitude that was numbered in the registration, Israel's Book of Life, as it was called. And so the sentence leads us to think of evening worship in three ways — in the closet, in the family, in the church.

II. We are led to penetrate into that which forms the meaning, and essence, AND SPIRIT OF THE EXERCISES OF PRAISE AND PRAYER, at eventide, and at all times. We are brought immediately by prayer into the presence of God; we come into immediate contact and communion with His gracious Spirit! "Rise up, O Lord; let Thine enemies be scattered." There is significancy in that expression, "Rise up, O Lord!" And so there is in this other expression, equally figurative — "Return, O Lord." "Rise up, O Lord!" "Return, O Lord." Now, such expressions are properly explained as indicating, not an absolute fact in God's dealings, but in the perception and apprehension of God by man: not a Divine dispensation, but a human consciousness. God did not leave Israel in the day's march, no, not for an instant. We speak sometimes of the returning sunrise, and we speak sometimes of the returning sunset: but the fact is, that we return to them, and not they to us. The fact is, that it is the earth that is turning, and it is the sun that remains the same. And as it is with the sun, so it is with regard to God. Absolute change in us produces relative change in Him. As we cease to think of Him, apparently He leaves us; as we return to Him in thought, desire, and purpose, He seems to return to us in actual presence. The process is ever taking place in the history of spiritual consciousness. God and man meet when man prays to God as the day is over. God and His people hold communion as the shades of evening close in upon us at our evening devotions.

III. THE TEXT SUGGESTS TO US THE THOUGHT OF THE PEACEFULNESS, AND THE SECURITY, AND THE JOY OF THOSE TO WHOM GOD THUS RETURNS.

IV. We turn to this evening hymn again, and we observe THAT IT IS VERY LARGE-HEARTED — IT IS THOROUGHLY CATHOLIC. Here Moses takes up into that great heart of his the interests of all Israel — "the many thousands of Israel." Earnestly should we pray for ourselves, and with equal earnestness should we identify ourselves with the interests of others, and pray for them. An individual consciousness of moral individuality will be as a growing tree; it will be rooted in the heart, but up will it grow, and out will the branches shoot in this direction, and in that. The heart will be as a fountain, and there will come ever forth the bubbling waters, but they will flow, flow, flow, on and on, in irrigating streams, that will reach a thousand hearts. So let us throw thorough catholicity into our devotion.

V. Last of all, we think of this hymn as what may be called THE EVENING HYMN OF LIFE. The last night will come, and we shall lie down to sleep in the grave! and oh! how beautiful then to be able, by faith, to lift up our hearts to heaven and say, "Return, O Lord, return unto me! I will return unto Thee! At the end of my life-long journey, my weary spirit would find rest in Thee! Receive me to Thyself." And while this prayer is offered by us on our own behalf, we are to take heed of the whole Israel of God, and pray, as we are passing out of time into eternity, that the love and care which we have so richly enjoyed, may be vouchsafed to those who follow us.

(J. Stoughton.)

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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.

WEB: Moses said to Hobab, the son of Reuel the Midianite, Moses' father-in-law, "We are journeying to the place of which Yahweh said, 'I will give it to you.' Come with us, and we will treat you well; for Yahweh has spoken good concerning Israel."