민수기 Chapter 31

Translation: ESV

2

"Avenge the people of Israel on the Midianites. Afterward you shall be gathered to your people."

Key Message

Attempts to seduce and corrupt God's community will surely face judgment; God is the righteous Judge who protects his people.

▸God commands war against Midian.

God commands war against Midian. This is retribution for the incident in chapter 25 in which Midianite women led Israel into Baal-Peor worship. The announcement that Moses will die after this war is finished is given at the same time. Moses faithfully carries out the command knowing that his own death is coming.

16

Behold, these, on Balaam's advice, caused the people of Israel to act treacherously against the LORD in the incident of Peor, and so the plague came among the congregation of the LORD.

Key Message

The community of faith is more vulnerable to internal compromise than external threats; like 'the teaching of Balaam,' one must be on guard against internal infiltration through moral temptation.

▸It is revealed that the Midianite women seduced the Israelite men following Balaam's advice.