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where the Hebrew nasa is used for the fourth time in this context. A redeemed people
must "go forward", but they go forward at the command of the Lord and in close
association with the symbols of His presence as set forth in the ark and the cloud. If we
are a redeemed people we must "set forward", but we set forward with a guide.
Secondly, our goal is prefigured in the statement that "They pitched . . . . . toward the
sunrising" (Numb. 21: 11). Here we have two related references. The children of Israel
were not expected to be on the move day and night; they "pitched" their camp regularly,
and the word conveys the thought of unburdening, of relaxing; this is good to remember
as we press onward. But on the other hand this did not imply settling down;
consequently, when they did pitch their camp it was always "toward the sunrising", for
they were pilgrims and strangers in the wilderness. The Christian hymn well expresses
the sentiment in the refrain:
"I nightly pitch my moving tent
A day's march nearer home."
It is without significance that, after Jacob's all-night wrestle with the angel, his change
of name, and his blessing, we read, "And as he passed over Penuel the sun rose upon
him" (Gen. 32: 31). The climax of prophetic vision is expressed also in this glorious
figure:
"Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord IS RISEN upon thee
. . . . . the Lord shall ARISE upon thee, and His glory shall be seen upon thee. And the
Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy RISING" (Isa. 60: 1-3).
"But unto you that fear My name shall the Sun of righteousness ARISE with healing
in His wings" (Mal. 4: 2).
Nearly forty years ago those responsible for the testimony of The Berean Expositor
and for The Berean Forward Movement heard the command, "Go forward". They have
faced their "Red seas", their "Marahs" and their "Amaleks", but they have found a way
opened through seas of difficulty, have had bitter experiences rendered sweet, and
enemies routed, without recourse to carnal weapons. The witness has been sustained
through the fury of two world wars, and the nature of its testimony has compelled those
who have the work at heart to suffer isolation and loneliness to a marked degree. Our
consolation and strength has been the conviction that we were entrusted with precious
truth, and had the assurance of the Lord's continual presence with us. After crying like a
voice in the wilderness for the life-time of a generation, the precious truth of our high
calling has at length found acceptance, and in every continent there are those who can say
with meaning and discrimination:
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who hath blessed us with all
spiritual blessings in heavenly places" (Eph. 1: 3).
For this we thank God and take courage. We still "press toward the mark"; we still
"set forward". Our faces are "toward the sunrising", for we are enjoined to "set our
affection on things above where Christ sits at the right hand of God". We are under no
illusions. Much as we hope and labour with the desire that many may be blessed by our