1The Lord said to Moses,
2"Take vengeance on the Midianites for the Israelites. After that, you will be gathered to your people."
3So Moses said to the people, "Arm some of your men to go to war against the Midianites so that they may carry out the Lord’s vengeance on them.
4Send into battle a thousand men from each of the tribes of Israel."
5So twelve thousand men armed for battle, a thousand from each tribe, were supplied from the clans of Israel.
6Moses sent them into battle, a thousand from each tribe, along with Phinehas son of Eleazar, the priest, who took with him articles from the sanctuary and the trumpets for signaling.
- P150
7They fought against Midian, as the Lord commanded Moses, and killed every man.
8Among their victims were Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur and Reba—the five kings of Midian. They also killed Balaam son of Beor with the sword. - P151
Because God is just, the Midianites must face judgment for their corruption of Israel. At Balaam’s advice, the Midianites had seduced the Israelites into worshiping Baal, and now, they will face the consequences for their actions. - P152
Twelve thousand men of Israel go into battle joined by Phinehas the priest, showing that God is on their side. We are reminded that we love and serve a God of justice. - P152
When we see and experience unjust situations, we can trust that God will not let injustice prevail forever. - P152
Let us not lose heart when challenges come our way. - P152
Let us remember that the God of justice is with us, and He can never fail because He is all-powerful. - P152
The Israelites completely destroy the five kings of Midian, Balaam, and all the men. At first glance, this may seem overly severe. Isn’t it the Israelites’ fault that they worshiped Baal? Shouldn’t Israel alone face judgment for their actions? - P152
Yet, this story reveals the severity of sin and the consequences of leading God’s people into idolatry. Even if Israel is at fault, God will still punish those who lead His covenant people into sin. - P152
This continues to apply today: we ourselves may fall into temptation and sin, but those who influence us to sin likewise face the consequences of their behavior. - P152
Let us recognize the severity of sin and fight heartily against it, ever pursuing holiness to become more like our God. - P152
Dear Lord, thank you that You empower me to fight against sin. - P153
Help me persevere amid trials with a heart of confidence in the God who is always on my side. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen. - P153
Moses, Eleazar, and the leaders of the community meet the army outside thecamp after the battle. Moses is angry with the officers for sparing the Midianitewomen who had led Israel into sin and orders that all the captives be killedexcept girls who have never slept with a man. He instructs the soldiers topurify themselves and their captives. - P155
In the animated sitcom King of the Hill, Peggy Hill, the wife of the maincharacter, saysthat she prayed about a decision and that God told her notto do it, but she knows better. While this is intended to be humorous, itis nothing new for humanity to be overly confident in its own wisdom. - P157
The Bible is full of examples of people who thought they knew better thanGod. God commands one thing and the people to whom the commandis addressed think they know better and do the opposite. - P157
Throughout theOld Testament, God gave His people clear commands regarding how theywere to live, worship, or fight their battles. Yet, instead of listening to God, the Israelites found ways around obedience and did things as they saw fit. - P157
The Israelites selective obedience demonstrates their desire to maintaincontrol rather than fully surrendering to God‘s authority. And the disastrous consequences of their disobedience underscore that God‘s commands, while sometimes difficult to understand, are rooted in His protective loveand perfect wisdom. - P157
We are sometimes no different as believers. We seekGod‘s wisdom through prayer, Scripture, and other Christians, yet, often, we already know what we want to do and if God‘s command runs contraryto our wishes, we disregard it. - P157
Yet, when God says something, it is for ourgood. Believing in Him means we fully embrace what He desires for ourlives, trusting that He knows what is best. - P157
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