THEOSISEphraem the Syrian
The request made by Moses for Jobab to accompany him, and Jobab's refusal to do so, symbolizes how Immanuel summoned the inhabitants of Judah to adhere to His teachings, yet the Jewish people chose not to follow.
Numbers 10:30Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers
But he answered him: I will not go with thee, but I will return to my country, wherein I was born.
וַיֹּ֥אמֶר אֵלָ֖יו לֹ֣א אֵלֵ֑ךְ כִּ֧י אִם־אֶל־אַרְצִ֛י וְאֶל־מוֹלַדְתִּ֖י אֵלֵֽךְ׃
The Church Fathers on this verse
2 Church Fathers comment on this verse
Paterius of Brescia
It is easier to encourage proud individuals to act benevolently if we suggest that their virtue serves our interests more than their own, and if we assert that it is for our own benefit rather than for them. Wise individuals are often led to righteousness when they perceive their actions as advantageous to others. For instance, when Moses, guided by God and following the pillar of cloud, was leading his people through the wilderness, he addressed Hobab, his relative, who was about to return from among the Gentiles to the service of the Almighty. Moses said, We are heading to the place the Lord promised to give us; come along with us, and we will treat you well, for the Lord has spoken favorably concerning Israel.
Read more (151 words)
When Hobab replied that he would rather return to his own land and family, Moses urged him not to abandon them, for he knew how they camped in the wilderness and would benefit from Hobab's insight. Moses, however, was not hindered by ignorance of the path; through his closeness to God, he received prophetic understanding. He was led externally by the visible pillar and internally by constant communion with God. It is important to note that the insightful man, speaking to the proud listener, sought a reward that he would also grant. He invited Hobab to take on the role of a guide, to become a leader in the journey of life. As a result, the proud listener became increasingly dedicated to the guidance being offered to him, perceiving it as essential, and convinced that he was directing the one who inspired him, he thus followed the exhortations given to him.
Cross references
Passages read together with this verse.
- 2 Cor 5:16Wherefore henceforth, we know no man according to the flesh. And if we have known Christ according to the flesh: but now we know him so no longer.
- Luke 14:26If any man come to me, and hate not his father and mother and wife and children and brethren and sisters, yea and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.
- Heb 11:13All these died according to faith, not having received the promises but beholding them afar off and saluting them and confessing that they are pilgrims and strangers on the earth.
- Gen 12:1And the Lord said to Abram: Go forth out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and out of thy father's house, and come into the land which I shall shew thee.
- Ruth 1:15And Noemi said to her: Behold thy kinswoman is returned to her people, and to her gods, go thou with her.
- Ruth 1:17The land that shall receive thee dying, in the same will I die: and there will I be buried. The Lord do so and so to me, and add more also, if aught but death part me and thee.
- Gen 31:30Suppose thou didst desire to go to thy friends, and hadst a longing after thy father's house: why hast thou stolen away my gods?
- Matt 21:29And he answering, said: I will not. But afterwards, being moved with repentance, he went.