Year 1, Week 19, Day 3 Bible Reading Observations

Year 1, Week 19, Day 3

I have a brief observation for today’s reading of Numbers 31-32.

Today’s reading is additional matters for the new generation of Israelites to attend to as they get ready to enter the Promised Land. Numbers 31 reports the details concerning the LORD’s will toward the Midianites: “Avenge the people of Israel on the Midianites. Afterward you shall be gathered to your people.” (Numbers 31:1). The description of judgment upon the Midianites and the immediate aftermath from the Israelite war on  Midian completes Numbers 31. Numbers 32 describes the appeal from two and a half of Israel’s tribes (Rueben, Gad, and half of Manasseh) to be granted an allotment of land east of the Jordan River. While a similar request was made during the first generation’s failure to take possession of the Land, this request seems to be for different reasons. The two and a half tribes commit to assisting the other tribes in taking possession of the Land across the Jordan River before they permanently settle down. Moses agreed to their request: “If the people of Gad and the people of Reuben, every man who is armed to battle before the LORD, will pass with you over the Jordan and the land shall be subdued before you, then you shall give them the land of Gilead for a possession.” (Numbers 32:29).

One of the things that struck me in today’s reading was the LORD revealing that He is holy in His justice: “O God, do not keep silence; do not hold your peace or be still, O God! For behold, your enemies make an uproar; those who hate you have raised their heads…Do to them as you did to Midian” (Psalm 83:1-2,9a). At the LORD’s direction, Israel prepares for battle against the Midianites: “Arm men from among you for the war, that they may go against Midian to execute the LORD'S vengeance on Midian. You shall send a thousand from each of the tribes of Israel to the war.” (Numbers 31:3). Balaam, the regional kings, and all the men were killed: “They warred against Midian, as the LORD commanded Moses, and killed every male. They killed the kings of Midian with the rest of their slain, Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur, and Reba, the five kings of Midian. And they also killed Balaam the son of Beor with the sword.” (Numbers 31:7-8). Even the male children and women (with the exception of virgins) were killed: “Now therefore, kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman who has known man by lying with him. But all the young girls who have not known man by lying with him keep alive for yourselves.” (Numbers 31:17-18). All of these killings were at the direction of the LORD.

Accounts like the one from today’s reading often trigger strong reactions that seek to register a vigorous objection against the fairness of God. The LORD’s instructions to wipe out an entire population of people does not square with many peoples’ conceptions of a loving God. But the actions ordered by the LORD do not reveal an unstable capricious god, but a Holy God who is strong and righteous: "You have a mighty arm; strong is your hand, high your right hand. Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne” (Psalm 89:13-14a). What unfolded upon the Midianites was the LORD’s measured just to their involvement to entice the Israelites to turn away from the LORD: “And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “Harass the Midianites and strike them down, for they have harassed you with their wiles, with which they beguiled you in the matter of Peor, and in the matter of Cozbi, the daughter of the chief of Midian, their sister, who was killed on the day of the plague on account of Peor.” (Numbers 25:16-18). The idolatry offered at Peor required the LORD’s justice: "These invited the people to the sacrifices of their gods, and the people ate and bowed down to their gods. So Israel yoked himself to Baal of Peor.” (Numbers 25:2). The Israelites were being sent in as instruments of the LORD’s justice against Midian.

Our reservations about these true accounts of the LORD’s vengeance serve to reveal any wrong viewpoints that we might possess concerning notions of mercy and justice. We might struggle with the fairness of this text, but I would suggest that our struggle reveals that we do not truly grasp the holiness of God and the sinfulness of man before God. The LORD does not owe mercy to anyone; but the LORD does require justice of everyone. False worshippers forfeit life before God. That may sound severe to us, but that is probably because we have inadequate views of God and sin. Idolatry may not feel very wicked to us, but it is a horrendous evil that goes to the core of what offends Him.

To press matters a bit further, the fact that any of us are alive to even raise an objection to the fairness of God, shows that the holy and just God who sustains us in our protest against Him, is One who extends mercy to sinners: “The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.” (Psalm 103:8). In His love, God sent His son to divert His wrath from us, even as He changes us from idolater to true worshippers: "For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.” (1 Thessalonians 1:9-10). In His love, God is patient with us: “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9). But for those who do not have Jesus, only the justice of His wrath awaits: “And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.” (Revelation 20:15).

What struck you in today’s reading? What questions were prompted from today’s reading?

Pastor Joe