016. Prayer On Removing The Ark From Horeb.

Prayer On Removing The Ark From Horeb.

Numbers 10:33-36. The Israelites had abode in the wilderness of Sinai, near the base of Horeb, about a year, Numbers 10:11-12. Deuteronomy 1:6. But now, by divine direction, they were to renew their journey towards Canaan. Accordingly, the needful preparations were made; the tents were struck and folded; the tabernacle was taken down, and carefully packed for removal. The several tribes were arranged in their divinely designated order; the trumpets sounded an “alarm,” and they left “the mount of the Lord,”—a spot long likely to be remembered by them as the place where they had seen the glory of Jehovah; where they had heard his voice; where they had received his law; where they had entered into covenant with him; and where, to their long and deep sorrow, they had been guilty of the most shameful ingratitude and provoking idolatry. The “ark of the covenant” went before, being borne on the shoulders of the Levites, who, in their journeyings, were divinely directed to search out suitable places in the desert, on which the tribes were to encamp. The removal of the ark, each morning, was preceded by a solemn prayer; and their coming in, or halting at evening, was sanctified in like manner. The form of morning prayer was: “Rise up, Lord, and let thine enemies be scattered: and let them that hate thee, flee before thee.” They were now in a desolate region, but marching towards an enemy’s country. It was right, therefore, thus to pray, as they were daily exposed to sudden attacks from rapacious hordes, (Exodus 17:8,) and needed to be reminded that all their hope was in that arm, which had brought them up from the house of bondage. At evening the form varied: “Return, O Lord, unto the many thousands of Israel;” i.e. return them to their rest again after this fatigue.

It is a pleasant reflection, suggested by this historical incident, that God goes before, and accompanies his believing people, in their journey through this world, to their rest above. And he provides, and points out suitable resting-places by the way, so that each one may, at least, occasionally say with the Psalmist: “He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; he leadeth me beside the still waters.” The way in which the Israelites were conducted to Canaan was chiefly a desert—so is the way to the Canaan above. But every desert has its oasis; its verdant spots, where the traveler may repose: and, though these may be far distant from each other, with gloomy intervals between, yet, how refreshing, when, at length, he reaches a place where he may repose, and slake his thirst. So with the spiritual traveler to the land of Beulah. Long marches, and distressing conflicts may await him; he may sigh for rest, as the tired dove longs for her window; or, as the parched hart Pants for a cooling stream at hand, And he must drink, or die—

Yet, let him not despond. That divine shepherd, who conducts him, will enable him to surmount every obstacle which obstructs his way, or which serves to diminish his strength. But it is, perhaps, more to our purpose, to remind our readers, that the example of Moses and his people, in invoking the blessing of God morning and evening, while on their journey, should be imitated by them, when in similar circumstances. As we set forth in the morning, either commencing or prosecuting a journey, how know we what may betide us? Flow many circumstances may transpire, any one of which may thwart our plans, interrupt our journey, involve us in danger, and even “finish our course.” Do we go in our own vehicle? the horse attached may take fright, and dash us down some fatal precipice. Do we embark on board some steamer? some sudden and fatal explosion may, in a moment, send us to the bar of God; or, the fire may kindle, and leave us only the awful alternative—the devouring flames or a watery grave. Or, are we borne by some railroad car? a single pin loosened may whirl us from the track; or a single spike disengaged may send the frightful, death-dealing “snake’s-head” through our bodies, terminating life with a single groan.

Ere I set out on a journey, I would hide to my closet, and, with special care, commend my all to God. I would go from the footstool, saying: My feet shall never slide, Nor fall in fatal snares, Since God, my guard and guide, Defends me from my fears.

Or, if it seems better to my Heavenly Father, that, while absent from home—absent from “wife and children dear,” I should meet death, by some sudden and unexpected incident, I would have provided therefor; remembering how truly, solemnly, it has been said, that ——a moment we may wish, When worlds want wealth to buy.

I would prepare for such an emergency, and have had my prayer laid up before the throne of God, that He, with whom there is no surprise, may save me in a moment of such danger; or, if otherwise, and I die—he may, in answer to my prayer, “receive me to glory.” Nor should we fail, when we have gone out, and come in in safety, to acknowledge the good providence of God, which has been over us. Many, I apprehend, pray for protection, who do not think to thank God for it, when it has been most kindly extended to them. Let those, however, who are so fearful, lest they should meet some Amalekite in the way, and, because of such fears, are quite ready to bespeak the divine protection—let them not fail, when, in the sequel, they have either avoided such a foe; or, having met, have vanquished him—to return, and give thanks to God. Ten are preserved, where one traveler is even in danger; but, as our Savior asked, in respect to the lepers, whom he had healed, so it may be asked of ten travelers preserved, “Where are the nine?”