What Relation Was Hobab to Moses?
By A. C. Bourdeau
This question has often been asked, and as I am desired to answer it, without professing to present anything new upon it, I would briefly say:— It is a fact that Raguel or Reuel (the Hebrew word in both cases is the same), and Jethro, and Hobab, are names given in the Holy Scriptures to denote the father-in-law of Moses. Ex. 2:18; 3:1; 4:18; 18:12; Num. 10:29; Judges 4:11. Yet the express statement that Hobab was “the son of Raguel” (Num. 10:29, is certainly not in favor of Hobab’s identity with Raguel, as is supposed by some. Some claim from this text that Hobab was the brother-in-law of Moses, while it is admitted that “the present punctuation of our Hebrew Bibles does not warrant this.” (See Jethro in Smith’s Dictionary of the Bible); and, further, Num. 10:29—the text adduced in proof of that position—represents that “Hobab, the son of Raguel, the Midianite,” was Moses’ father-in-law (compare with Joshua 1:1), as does also Judges 4:11. The fact that one portion of the Bible is as much the inspired word of God as another, is certainly against the opinion that this text in Judges was written more loosely than were other texts that treat upon this question, because it was written at a later period. Now, in view of these facts, is it not reasonable and scriptural to believe that Hobab was the same as Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law? and that Zipporah was called the daughter of Reuel, as one of his descendants, and because he was the head of the family? Compare with Gen. 31:43; 2 Kings 14:3; 16:2; etc. Should it be claimed that Josephus and other writers represent Raguel as having Jethro for a surname, Jethro or Jether signifying, “his excellence,” or, “he that excels,” this significant or official title was doubtless given to Reuel, Moses’ father (grandfather)-in-law, a priest or prince of Midian, as it was also to “Hobab, the father-in-law of Moses.” QUESTION: “Is it right for a Seventh-day Adventist to be examined on the Sabbath, in view of obtaining a certificate to teach school, where the law requires such examination on that day?” Ans: The question is, whether or not it is our work or God’s work in which we are employed while so doing. The commandment is very explicit in its statements, when it says, “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work.” And Isa. 58:13, 14, shows that we should refrain from our own work or pleasure, and from speaking our own words on that day. Is it not our worldly interests we are trying to promote, in preparing ourselves to teach school of a secular character? We think that it is. And although it may seem to be a sacrifice of such interest on our part, yet it is safe to do just as God says, let the circumstances be what they may. Jesus says, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these [earthly] things shall be added unto you.” “M. W.” wants us to inform him how long a time will elapse from the resurrection of the wicked to their destruction. We refer him to Deut. 29:29.