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.
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