SCRIPTURE; NUMBERS 31
VENGEANCE ON THE MIDIANITES (vs. 1-24)
The Lord told Moses to take full vengeance to the sons of Israel on the Midianites. They had to select 1,000 men from every tribe, so twelve thousand men were sent to the battle. Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the priest took with him articles from the sanctuary and the trumpets for signaling. Among those killed were: Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur and Reba – the 5 kings of Midian. They also killed Balaam with the sword and captured the Midianite women and children and took all the Midianites herds, flocks and goods as plunder. They burned all the towns and brought the captives, spoils and plunder to Moses and Eleazar at their camp on the plains of Moab by Jordan across from Jericho.
Moses and Eleazar and all the leaders of the congregation went out to meet them outside the camp. Moses was angry with the officers of the army and the captives who returned from the battle because they spared all the women. He instructed them to kill all the boys and every woman who has slept with a man. Those who had killed anyone or touched anyone who was killed must stay outside the camp for 7 days. On the 4rd and 7th day, they must purify themselves and wash every garment, leather, goat hair or wood.
To those soldiers who had gone into battle, the Lord gave this requirement of the law: Anything (gold, silver, bronze, iron, tin, lead) and anything that can withstand the fire must be put through the fire, and then it will be clean. Then it must also wash it with water to purify it. Those that could not withstand fire must be cleaned through the water. After 7 days, they may come into the camp.
DIVIDiNG THE SPOILS (vs. 25-54)
SPOILS THAT THE SOLDIERS TOOK / SHARE OF THE SOLDIER / TRIBUTE TO THE LORD:
– Sheep – 675k / 337,500 / 675
– Cattle – 72k / 36k /72
– Donkey – 61k / 30,500 / 61
– Women – 32k / 16k / 32
SPOILS THAT THE ISRAELITE COMMUNITY SHARES:
– Sheep – 337,500
– Cattle – 36k
– Donkey – 30,500
– People – 16k
The share of the Levites was drawn out of every 50, both of men and of animals. The commanders counted their soldiers and not one is missing. So they brought offering to the Lord gold articles – Armlets, braceletes, signet rings, earnings and necklaces to make atonement for themselves before the Lord.
THOUGHTS:
The Midianites were a nomadic people who descended from Abraham and his second wife Keturah. When Moses fled from Egypt, he took refuge in the land of Midian. His wife and father-in-law were Midianites. Despite of the alliance, the Israelites and Midianites were always bitter enemies.
The Midianites were responsible for enticing Israel into Baal worship. So God commanded Israel to destroy them. But instead, the Israelites took their women as captives due to tempting enticement of the Midianite women. Do not allow the existence of sin. Move quickly to take it out.
Moses told the Israelites to give a portion of the war plunder to God. Another portion was to go to the people who remained behind. Similarly, the money we earn is not ours alone. Everything we possess comes directly or indirectly from God. We should return a portion to Him and share a portion with those in need.
After counting the soldiers, they discovered that not one soldier had been lost in the battle, so they thank God for His protection. After going through tough times of hardship and troubles, we should also thank God for his protection and deliverance.