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THE SURROGATE JOURNEY: BIRTHING PURPOSE THROUGH OTHERS.  PART 3: THE WEIGHT OF THE WOMB — WHEN CARRYING GETS COMPLICATED Genesis 16:5–6 Then Sarai said to Abram, ‘You are responsible for the wrong I am suffering. I put my servant in your arms, and now that she knows she is pregnant, she despises me.’ Then Sarai mistreated Hagar; so she fled from her.” (NIV) šŸ” Quick Recap: In Part 2 , we met Hagar, the Egyptian servant chosen by Sarai to carry her child. Though not her dream, not her plan, and not her baby—she became the carrier of a promise she didn’t initiate. We learned how sometimes we are called to be the “other woman” in someone else’s destiny story—carrying, serving, interceding, and pushing someone else’s dream forward. šŸ¤° The Blessing that Brought Bitterness Hagar became pregnant. She was carrying the long-awaited seed. She should have been celebrated. But instead… she was mistreated. The one who chose her now chased her. The one who needed her now neglected her. The woman...
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HOBAB: PARTNERSHIP, COLLABORATION, AND GUIDE FOR THE JOURNEY PART 4: WHEN THEY SAY NO!

HOBAB: PARTNERSHIP, COLLABORATION, AND GUIDE FOR THE JOURNEY
PART 4: WHEN THEY SAY NO!


Numbers 10:29-32

Moses said to Hobab, the son of Reuel the Midianite, his father-in-law, “We are journeying to the place the Lord promised to give us. Come with us, and we will treat you well, for the Lord has spoken good concerning Israel.”

But Hobab replied, “I will not go, but return to my own land and family.”

Then Moses said, “Please do not leave us. You know how we are to camp in the wilderness, and you can be our eyes. And if you go with us, whatever good the Lord does to us, we will do to you.”


RECAP OF PART 3: Gentle Decline or a Divine Delay?

Previously, we explored how Moses’ invitation to Hobab reflected deep trust in God's promises. Moses wasn’t just inviting Hobab to a trip—he was inviting him into destiny. We were challenged to trust God’s Word and share His promises with others, even when the journey seems uncertain.


We often assume that when God sends us people, they’ll always say “yes.” But what happens when they say “no”? In this portion of the story, Hobab declines Moses’ invitation. This brief moment teaches us a powerful lesson: rejection doesn’t mean redirection from God. It invites us to wrestle with our expectations, people’s free will, and God’s sovereign plan.


Hobab’s Decline Doesn’t Cancel the Mission

Moses respectfully invites Hobab to journey with Israel, but Hobab responds, *“I will not go.”* Even though his help would’ve been beneficial, Hobab had his own desires and priorities. Sometimes the people we rely on for help might walk away, and that doesn’t make the journey any less God-ordained.


Scripture Highlight:

“But Hobab said to him, ‘I will not go; I am going back to my own land and my own people.’”– Numbers 10:30



Life Application

Rejection can be painful, especially when it comes from those we care about. But we must remember that no person’s “no” can override God’s “yes.” Learn to respect others’ decisions while trusting that God has already made provision for what you need. There are “Hobabs” who will say no—but there are “helpers” God has already prepared.



True Life Insight:

Hobab’s refusal was not the end of the mission. God had already mapped out the journey ahead. While Moses invited Hobab to join in as a guide, the absence of Hobab didn’t stop the movement of God. In the same way, we must learn that not everyone will go the full journey with us. And that’s okay.


I remember a personal experience that echoes this truth. My pastor and I were serving in a mission church with full commitment and sincerity. But along the way, the church leadership—specifically, the family God used to establish and build the mission church—were also the recognized owners of the ministry.


Over time, the leadership felt I was becoming too influential—largely because many of the members loved and respected me deeply. They felt comfortable approaching me before anyone else, and I had become a familiar and trusted face in their spiritual journey. This made the leadership uncomfortable, especially with the respect and honor I gave my senior pastor. Their discomfort eventually led them to sack me from the church. As a result of this unfortunate situation, my senior pastor also stepped down. At the time, it felt like rejection — but God was working on something deeper.

What looked like a closed door was actually a divine launchpad. In God's wisdom, that moment redirected my steps into what I’m doing now as a blogger for the Kingdom. All this while, the grace for blogging and media had been stirring within me, waiting for a chance to break out. And God used that painful transition as the very push I needed to go deep with Him into this new assignment.


Friend, don’t freeze because someone walked away—or pushed you out. Rejection may hurt, but often, it’s just God’s way of saying: “Now, let’s go higher.” What feels like rejection might actually be His protection—or a redirection into your real purpose. So don’t let it halt your journey.



REFLECTION

Who has said “no” to your vision, your ministry, or your calling?

Have you allowed their absence to slow you down?

Is there someone you need to release today so that you can fully follow God’s path?




Call to Action:

Forgive those who walked away from your life or vision.


Take time today to pray for those who left, without bitterness.


Reaffirm your confidence in God’s plan, even without certain people by your side.




PRAYER

Lord, thank You for reminding me that rejection does not cancel Your direction. Help me to move forward in faith even when others walk away. Heal my heart from disappointment and teach me to trust that You are enough and that You always provide the right people at the right time. In Jesus’ name, Amen.



Next in Part 5: The Power of Persuasion

What happens after Hobab says no?


Moses doesn’t fold his arms or cut ties. Instead, he tries again. His response shows us the beauty of Spirit-led persuasion—not manipulation, but a second invitation rooted in vision, humility, and hope.


Stay tuned as we explore how godly persuasion can preserve purpose and build destiny.




šŸ’¬Let’s Talk:

Have you ever faced a “no” that shook your confidence?


Did it cause you to give up too soon—or did it push you closer to your true assignment?


How do you usually respond when people decline your offer to walk with you?


Let’s talk. Drop a comment, share a thought, or send a DM. Someone needs your story—and maybe, just maybe, your “no” season is actually a “now” moment in disguise.

Thank you!




Prince Julius Nenebi-Darkson 

(EL-PJ God's penman)


Comments

  1. Esi17 June 2025 at 11:25

    Rejection from others does not cancel God's plans for us. It is important to trust His timing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. EL-PJ God's penman17 June 2025 at 16:18

      Absolutely, Esi. Man’s rejection is often God’s redirection. His plans remain intact—even when doors close. Trusting His timing brings peace in the waiting.

      Delete

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