Numbers 31 Devotional
by Pastor Mark Hudson

Let’s begin with the outline that T. Ashley uses “with respect to four aspects of holy war methodology:

1-12                      Battle against the Midianites

13-18                   Inflicting the ban

19-24                   Cleansing the soldiers

25-47                   Dividing the booty

48-54                   Bringing an offering to Yahweh.

Who are the Midianites?  Midian was one of the sons of Abraham through his concubine Keturah (Gen 25:1-4).  According to Wenham, “The Midianites were a large confederation of tribes, associated with various smaller groups, such as the Ishmaelites (Gen 37:28; Judg. 8:22, 24), the Moabites (Num 22:4, 7), the Amalekites (Judg. 6:3, 33), and Ephah (Gen 25:4; Isa 60:6).  The Midianite associated with Moab are singled out for vengeance (v.8, 16; see chapters 22 and 25).  When v. 7 reads, “. . . (they) killed every male, this does not mean all the Midianite men were killed.  See v. 12 and Judges 6-8 where the Midianites overpower Israel.  The Midianites were still very much alive.

As you can see by reading the text, the battle itself is not the focus of this chapter.  We are coming closer and closer to entering the promised land, so this chapter sees that entry coming soon.  Notice the battle is called, “the Lord’s vengeance on Midian” in v. 3.  This is due to Balaam’s advice to encourage idolatry through the door of immorality.  We find Balaam’s name in v. 8 who is singled out as one of them.  His advice (31:16) to send women to seduce Israel was a serious sin against God.  And this is God’s response.

You will also find Moses expressing dismay at the fact that they kept some of the men and women alive.  Verse 17 may be hard for you to read.  “kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman who has known man by lying with him.”  This may sound gruesome, unfair, and violent.  It was violent but it was not unfair.

Follow Wenham’s argument.  Israel was threatened with extinction but escaped through Moses’ intercession (Ex32:9ff; Num. 11; 14:11ff).  Moses, Aaron, Miriam and the older generation except Joshua and Caleb were sentenced to die in the wilderness because of their sin.  Plague and fire consumed many (Ex 32:35; Lev. 10:2; Num. 11:1; 14:37; 16:31-34, 46-49; 21:6; 25:9).  The priest and Levites were told to guard the tent of meeting and to kill those who were not authorized to enter.  Twice they killed flagrant covenant breakers (3:10, 38; 25:7-8; Ex 32:26-28).  So, outsiders did not have it harder than Israel.  Israel was often punished for their sins by God.

Judgment begins  with the household of God, but judgment still comes to the unbelieving world (Rom. 2:9; I Pt. 4:17-18).  This is always the case.  God is constantly judging and disciplining us.  We should not recoil from his discipline.  He loves us and shows His fatherly love by his loving correction (Heb 12:5-11).  But while this should produce fear and obedience in us all unbelievers do is curse God and blame God when they are disciplined by Him.

In verse 19ff, you will notice the care God give toward cleansing and reusing some of the spoil.  God cares very much how the spoil is divided.  The nation is given specific instruction on those who went out to battle and those who stayed behind.  The Levites and the priests had a share in the bounty as well.

Over and over, we notice how organized God is.  If your spirituality is one that “lets the Spirit move” when it comes to teaching, putting on an event, or serving at the church, I would suggest your approach is at odds with the way God is portrayed in the Bible.  Creation is laid out in Genesis as organized; the entire worship of the tabernacle is painstakingly specific and detailed.   The priest’s and Levite’s duties are clear and repeated.  God makes plans and carries them out.  God is an organized God.

One of the other aspects of the wilderness wanderings is how they were taken care of by the Egyptians when they left, manna from God directly, and here from the Midianites.  Somehow God always provides for His people.  Unbelievers seem to provide (albeit unwillingly) for God’s people.

Dear Heavenly Father, You constantly provide for Your people.  You also give us clear direction on how to live our lives and how to worship You.  Keep us thirsty for Your Word and help us to be discerning and wise about those who try to deceive us and lead us into wrong paths.  Fill us with Your Spirit so we live for Your glory alone. We pray this in the strong name of Jesus Christ.  Amen.