Morning, July 18
Charles Spurgeon · Morning and Evening: Daily Readings
Numbers 2:31
"They shall go hindmost with their standards."
Numbers 2:31
The camp of Dan brought up the rear when the armies of Israel were on
the march. The Danites occupied the hindmost place, but what mattered
the position, since they were as truly part of the host as were the
foremost tribes; they followed the same fiery cloudy pillar, they ate
of the same manna, drank of the same spiritual rock, and journeyed to
the same inheritance. Come, my heart, cheer up, though last and least;
it is thy privilege to be in the army, and to fare as they fare who
lead the van. Some one must be hindmost in honour and esteem, some one
must do menial work for Jesus, and why should not I? In a poor village,
among an ignorant peasantry; or in a back street, among degraded
sinners, I will work on, and "go hindmost with my standard."
The Danites occupied a very useful place. Stragglers have to be picked
up upon the march, and lost property has to be gathered from the field.
Fiery spirits may dash forward over untrodden paths to learn fresh
truth, and win more souls to Jesus; but some of a more conservative
spirit may be well engaged in reminding the church of her ancient
faith, and restoring her fainting sons. Every position has its duties,
and the slowly moving children of God will find their peculiar state
one in which they may be eminently a blessing to the whole host.
The rear guard is a place of danger. There are foes behind us as well
as before us. Attacks may come from any quarter. We read that Amalek
fell upon Israel, and slew some of the hindmost of them. The
experienced Christian will find much work for his weapons in aiding
those poor doubting, desponding, wavering, souls, who are hindmost in
faith, knowledge, and joy. These must not be left unaided, and
therefore be it the business of well-taught saints to bear their
standards among the hindmost. My soul, do thou tenderly watch to help
the hindmost this day.