28. This was the order of march for the Israelites by their military divisions as they set out.
29. Moses said to Hobab, son of Moses’ father-in-law Reuel the Midianite: “We’re setting out for the place the Lord promised: ‘I will give it to you.’ Come with us, and we will treat you well, for the Lord has promised good things to Israel.”
30. But he replied to him, “I don’t want to go. Instead, I will go to my own land and my relatives.”
31. “Please don’t leave us,” Moses said, “since you know where we should camp in the wilderness, and you can serve as our eyes.
32. If you come with us, whatever good the Lord does for us we will do for you.”
33. They set out from the mountain of the Lord on a three-day journey with the ark of the Lord’s covenant traveling ahead of them for those three days to seek a resting place for them.
34. Meanwhile, the cloud of the Lord was over them by day when they set out from the camp.
35. Whenever the ark set out, Moses would say:Arise, Lord!Let Your enemies be scattered,and those who hate You flee from Your presence.
36. When it came to rest, he would say:Return, Lord,to the countless thousands of Israel.