Numbers 31

The Midianites were a group of nomadic tribes that were associated with the Ishmaelites, Amalekites, and Moabites. That’s why we see both terms (Midianites and Moabites) being used in some of our reading.

This chapter can seem hard to us because of the brutality here. Killing women? Killing boys? We could argue that it was a different time with different rules, but that’s only part of the answer. These weren’t simply the men of a nation who engaged in battle with God’s people. These were women that willingly prostituted themselves with the Israelites and encouraged them to engage in idolatry, all to help their own nation gain an advantage (Numbers 25:1-3). They couldn’t be trusted and had to be punished. Imagine how upset God was at those who came up with the plot to turn Him against His own people! The killing of the remaining boys meant that God’s judgment over this people was total. The Israelites became God’s avenging angels.

Deuteronomy 32:35 (WEB) “Vengeance is mine, and recompense, at the time when their foot slides, for the day of their calamity is at hand. Their doom rushes at them.””

The rest of the chapter details what to do with the spoils of war. A portion to the fighting men, a portion to the people, and a tribute portion to God, given to the priests and Levites. The men were so thankful for God’s protection that they also gave a thanksgiving offering to the Lord!

Thought for the day: God occasionally uses people or nations to enact judgment on others. But His usual requirement for believers is much different.

Luke 6:35-36 (WEB) “But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing back; and your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind towards the unthankful and evil. Therefore be merciful, even as your Father is also merciful.”