Numbers 31

God instructed Moses to avenge the people of Israel on the Midianites. He used a surprisingly small number of fighting men, one thousand from each tribe, and killed all the males from among the Midianites, including Balaam, but they let the women and children live.

Moses was angry with the commanders, and ordered them to kill any of the women who had been with a man and all of the little boys. They were permitted to keep the young girls. Moses gave them instructions concerning rituals of cleansing, and the people obeyed his word.

The captive young women, the animals, and all the plunder taken from the Midianites was very substantial. Moses gave commandments concerning the distribution of the people and the goods so that those who did not go out to war from the tribes, and the Levites still received something from this divinely-ordered vengeance.

Through it all, not one life was lost among the Israelites.

How can God, who is love, have ordered and blessed this action? The Lord is not only love, He is also justice. One day Christ will return to judge the living and the dead. He will take vengeance upon His adversaries who have persecuted and murdered His people.

God does not ask for our approval of His plans for final judgment any more than He asked for our approval of the cross. The wrath of God against sin is real, and we should run for cover when we see it coming. The only refuge provided for us is in the blood of the Lamb, Jesus Christ.