Observations and Interpretations
(1) The vengeance on Midian was related to the incident of immorality and idolatry in ch 25 (25:17). In v.8, Balaam, the pagan diviner who was responsible for the sins of Israel was killed. Moses was furious when he found out that the army brought back the women to Israel v.14-16.
After that last assignment, Moses would soon die v.2. Again, just like in 27:12-17, Moses did not fall into self-pity. He finished strong in his assignment.
(2) v. 18 But all the young women who have not experienced a man’s bed will be yours.
The virgins were spared because they obviously had had no role in the Baal of Peor incident nor could they by themselves perpetuate the Midianite peoples. Nonetheless, strict application of the rules of holy war dictated that they too should have been killed (Deut. 20:16), so it was only a concession by Moses that allowed them to live.
Application: Why was Moses so angry? What was our attitude to sins? Do we try to avoid sins and even the environment that gives chance to sins? Eph 4:27 "Do not give the devil an opportunity."
(3) Why would the commanders approach Moses and offer the gold v.48-50? Not one of the men who were in the battle was missing. They recognized that this is the work of the LORD.
(3) Why would the commanders approach Moses and offer the gold v.48-50? Not one of the men who were in the battle was missing. They recognized that this is the work of the LORD.
(BKC) They did this to make atonement, which likely means they recognized that the lack of casualties was an act of divine grace beyond anything they deserved
Application: Do we recognize any undeserved grace in our lives? According to normal circumstances we should not have this much, or we should have lost something but we have not, etc. How do we count those "accidents"? Lucky? Or do we give thanks to the LORD by offering our lives to Him?
Audrey
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