31:3 And Moses spake unto the people, saying, Arm some of yourselves unto the war, and let them go {a} against the Midianites, and avenge the LORD of Midian.(a) As he had commanded in Numbers 25:17, declaring also that the injury done against his people is done against him. read more
VENGEANCE ON MIDIAN (vs.1-11) The Midianites had been guilty of seducing Israel, and God required that account to be settled. This was the last charge laid upon Moses before his death (v.2). His own father in law was a Midianite (Exodus 3:1), so that it was surely a traumatic responsibility for Moses to command Israel to take vengeance for the Lord on Midian. Yet there is no indication that he even hesitated. He had learned the word of the Lord is absolute and he would not at all question... read more
BALAAM ’S SCHEME We are not through with the “hireling” prophet. We find him referred to in three places in the New Testament. 2 Peter 2:15 speaks of his “way,” Jude 1:11 of his “error” and Revelation 2:14 of his “doctrine.” His way is that which characterizes all false teachers, viz: making a market of their gifts. His error lay in failing to see the principle of the vicarious atonement by which God can be just and yet the justifier of believing sinners (Romans 3:26 ). In other words, he... read more
Here we see the fulfillment of that sacred Scripture, which assures us that the judgment of the ungodly lingereth not; for however the LORD may seem slack, as some men count slackness, yet the day of the LORD will come as a thief in the night, in which GOD will recompense his enemies, and the enemies of his people, which are a part of himself, to their face. See 2 Peter 2:3 ; Malachi 4:1 .Ecclesiastes 8:11 . The Reader will enter into a proper apprehension of this history, by consulting Numbers... read more
I beg the Reader to observe the words of Moses in this verse. In the former verse the LORD had said that the children of Israel should avenge themselves of the Midianites. But Moses varies the precept, and here saith, that the LORD is to be avenged of them. And what doth this teach us but this, that the interests of GOD and his people are one and the same. I remember in the moment I am looking over this scripture thy sweet words, blessed JESUS, in which thou hast left upon record, that... read more
Madianites. The five princes, (ver. 8) had joined Sehon, in his attack upon the Hebrews, Josue xiii. 21. They had united with the Moabites against them, and had been most active in perverting the people of God. They had even the wicked Balaam still among them, who was bent upon destruction; so that God saw the measure of their crimes was full, their provocations unsufferable, and he was pleased to let Moses be witness of their just punishment. This he would effect with a very small force, ver.... read more
1-6 All who, without commission from God, dare to execute private revenge, and who, from ambition, covetousness, or resentment, wage war and desolate kingdoms, must one day answer for it. But if God, instead of sending an earthquake, a pestilence, or a famine, be pleased to authorize and command any people to avenge his cause, such a commission surely is just and right. The Israelites could show such a commission, though no persons now can do so. Their wars were begun and carried on expressly... read more
The Overthrow of Midian v. 1. And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, v. 2. Avenge the children of Israel of the Midianites, by undertaking a formal campaign of revenge against them, as commanded Numbers 26:16-Job :. Afterward shalt thou be gathered unto thy people, as had been revealed to him Numbers 27:13. v. 3. And Moses spake unto the people, saying, Arm some of yourselves unto the war, prepare everything for a campaign, mobilize an army, and let them go against the Midianites, and... read more
EIGHTH SECTIONThe new Separation from the Heathenism of Midian analogous to the earlier Separation from the Heathenism of Egypt. The war of Revenge against Midian as a prologue to the extermination of the Canaanites. The Midianitish spoil a parallel to the Egyptian.Numbers 31:1-541, And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, 2Avenge the children of Israel of the Midianites: afterward shalt thou be gathered unto thy people. 3And Moses spake unto the people, saying, Arm some of yourselves unto the... read more
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Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Numbers 31:1-54
7. The War Against the Midianites CHAPTER 31 1. The command to fight Midian (Numbers 31:1-6 ) 2. The war (Numbers 31:7-12 ) 3. The cleansing (Numbers 31:13-24 ) 4. The spoil taken (Numbers 31:25-47 ) 5. The oblation of the officers (Numbers 31:48-54 ) War is commanded next by the Lord. The Lord said to Moses, “Avenge the children of Israel of the Midianites; afterward shalt thou be gathered to thy people.” This is, therefore, the last thing in the official life of Moses. This war... read more