Judgment on Midian Numbers 31

Numbers 31:1-2 And the Lord spake unto Moses saying Avenge the children of Israel of the Midianites: afterward shalt thou be gathered unto thy people."

Outline:
v1 The Midianites are spoiled and Balaam slain
v13 Moses is wroth with the officers for saving the women alive
v19 How the soldiers with their captives and spoil are to be purified
v25 The proportion whereby the prey is to be divided
v48 The voluntary oblation unto the treasury of the Lord

Two things happen in the chapter. The Midian's are wiped out for the present and Balaam is killed.

It seems to have been a plan (scholars agree) that since Balaam could not curse Israel that he devised a plan for the people (women) of Midian to corrupt Israel. It almost worked. God's judgment came upon Israel and Phinehas atoned for the people by killing a Midianite woman and the Israelite who brought her into camp.

So in this chapter 12,000 men of war are sent out to destroy the Midianites. They did not do a complete job of it and saved the women and children. It was the women of Midian who had been used to corrupt the men of Israel. Moses told them in v15

"And Moses said unto them, Have ye saved all the women alive? Behold these caused the children of Israel though the counsel of Balaam, to commit trespass against the Lord in the matter of Peor, and there was a plague among the congregation of the Lord."

There were great spoils of war and these were divided according to Moses' and Eleazar's instructions. But the men of war realized their increase and made a freewill offering to the Lord.

It amazes me how they can get into so much trouble and yet be so thoughtful in sharing.

Still we are not in Canaan but because of the judgment on the Midian's there is now a door way into the promised land. Up to now, no one would let Israel pass through their land.

Psalm 36:1 "The transgression of the wicked saith, within my heart, that there is no fear of God before his eyes. v2 For he flattereth himself in his own eyes, until his iniquity be fund to be hateful."