Chapter 9: Taking Vengeance on the Midianites
Numbers 31:1–18; Joshua 13:15–23
Q1 -The Israelites had lived apart from other people since they left Egypt. What do you think it was like for them when they arrived on the plains of Moab with all these other people and gods? What did God instruct them to do when they entered Canaan? See Deuteronomy 7:1–6.
A1 - The Israelites had likely had little contact with other people all during their wilderness wanderings. They had been out caring for their herds and flocks and living off the manna and what other native vegetation and animals they may have found. When they arrived on the plains of Moab with all the other people there, it may have been similar to someone who has always lived in the country going to Las Vegas. The sights, the sounds, the smells, the food, the strange gods and rituals—all these things were likely overwhelming to their senses.
God was very direct in His instructions to the Israelites as to what they were to do when they entered Canaan. Deuteronomy 7:1–6 (NIV) states:
“When the Lord your God brings you into the land you are entering to possess and drives out before you many nations—the Hittites, Girgashites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites, seven nations larger and stronger than you—and when the Lord your God has delivered them over to you and you have defeated them, then you must destroy them totally. Make no treaty with them, and show them no mercy. Do not intermarry with them. Do not give your daughters to their sons or take their daughters for your sons, for they will turn your children away from following me to serve other gods, and the Lord’s anger will burn against you and will quickly destroy you. This is what you are to do to them: Break down their altars, smash their sacred stones, cut down their Asherah poles and burn their idols in the fire. For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession.”
Q2 - The king of Moab was the one who had initially sought to have the Israelites cursed. Yet, God did not declare war upon the Moabites as he did the Midianites. However, in what other ways did God punish the Moabites? See Deuteronomy 23:3–6.
A2 - The Moabites were also punished in several ways. No Ammonite or Moabite (both of these were the descendants of Lot, the nephew of Abraham) could enter the assembly of the Lord. These people were relatives of the Israelites, yet they had behaved inhospitably. They did not meet the Israelites with food and water on their way out of Egypt and went so far as to hire Balaam to curse them. Moreover, the Israelites were instructed to never seek their peace or good relations with them all their lives.
Q3 - Did Moses and the Israelites know at the time it was happening that Balak was trying to curse them? Did they know about Balaam’s oracles concerning them? If they had known about the oracles, do you think they would have stood any stronger against the temptations presented to them? When you know that someone else loves you and has great confidence in you, how does that help you meet life’s challenges?
A3 - It’s unknown if the Israelites knew about Balak hiring Balaam to curse them at the time it was occurring. If they had known all the wonderful things God said about them, it might have influenced at least some of the people who went on to sin so egregiously. However, the Israelites had witnessed numerous miracles. Some of these miracles were God’s direct expression of His love and care for them, such as providing them manna to eat and water at various times while traveling through desolate areas.
As for us today, expressing your love and confidence in someone else can sometimes make a real difference in their lives. Make it a point to do so when you have the opportunity. As Proverbs 25:11 (KJV) reminds us, “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.”