Numbers 31 and 32

This chapter, Numbers 31 is all about the vengeance of God. The Midianites had led the Israelites into Baal worship and God needed them to know he was angry with the situation. Throughout the chapter 4 times we read the words "as the Lord commanded". The whole chapter rests on obedience - would Moses do as God told him? The battle is entirely the Lord's.

Interestingly we read of Balaam's death - he wanted to die the death of the righteous but he had no intention of living the life of the righteous. It is inevitable therefore that he died the death of the wicked in the company of those under God's judgment.

The spoils of war had to be dealt with - in this case the wives of the Moabites. Why was the order given to kill them? These women had previously led the Israelites into sexual immorality and idolatry. Now the possibility of a repeat action was a threat so it had to be removed.

An important principle is set out here. God has the right to judge not only individuals but also communities of all different sizes. We only have to think of the flood in Noah's day and Sodom and Gomorrah as proof of this. But remember - an opportunity is always given to repent.

Following the killing all the soldiers remained outside the camp for 7 days. Purification had to take place. Another unique application is seen in these verses - fire and water were used in the process. God uses the fire of pressing difficulty and the water of God's pure word. Remember Job's words "when he has tested me I shall come forth as gold."

The believer today is sanctified and cleansed with the washing of water by the word - Ephesians 5 verse 26.

The material plunder was divided with a portion given to the Lord.

Not an Israelite had been lost in the battle.

Numbers 32 raises a new issue for Moses to deal with. The tribes of Reuben and Gad did not want to enter Canaan but rather to remain on the east side of the Jordan river. Moses was afraid their attitude would keep the other tribes from entering Canaan. The parallel is similar in believers today - contentment can influence others. They may not want to go deeper in their knowledge of Christ or even press on in their walk with God.

Moses reminded them that there was a lot of work still to be done in order to possess Canaan. It was their responsibility to fight the battle together with the other tribes. Contentment should not lead to complacency.

Moses had a right to be afraid - he remembered the last time this had happened - when the 12 spies had been divided about taking the land 38 years previously. The parallel is similar today - young believers stopped from pursuing God's plan by older ones.

Notice the words "wholly followed the Lord" in reference to Caleb and Joshua. These 2 men did not bend to the discouraging report of the 10 unfaithful spies. Moses reminded them that they did not have a guaranteed passage to inherit Canaan because of the generation that did not believe and had passed away. Today many believe that because their parents attended church and did many charitable works or demonstrated faith in God, that this gives them the right to believe they are saved and will go heaven one day. Faith is personal and it needs to start with an individual commitment and acceptance of God as Saviour.

The tribes set forth their plan - they would go with the other tribes until they conquered Canaan and return to their own land again. Moses agrees to their plan but reminds them it was done "before the Lord" a phrase repeated 4 times. He also speaks of sinning before the Lord if they did not do as they said - it was the sin of doing nothing. Many commit this sin - they know the truth and what they ought to do but fail to do anything.

Spurgeon's sermon referred to it as ...

Sin of idleness and self indulgence
Sin of selfishness and unbrotherliness
Sin of ingratitude
Sin of untruthfulness, breaking a promise made
Sin that caused serious injury to others

“Spiritual self-indulgence is a monstrous evil; yet we see it all around. On Sunday these loafers must be well fed. They look out for such sermons as will feed their souls. The thought does not occur to these people that there is something else to be done besides feeding…. These people want pleasant things preached to them. They eat the fat and drink the sweet, and they crowd to the feast of fat things full of marrow, and of wines on the lees well refined—spiritual festivals are their delight: sermons, conferences, Bible-readings, and so forth, are sought after, but regular service in ordinary ways is neglected.” (Spurgeon)

v. “A do nothing professor is a merely nominal member, and a nominal member is a real hindrance. He neither contributes, nor prays, nor works, nor agonizes for souls, nor takes any part in Christian service, and yet he partakes in all the privileges of the church. Is this fair? What is the use of him? He sits and hears, and sometimes sleeps under the sermon. That is all.” (Spurgeon)

Sometimes I wonder what it would have been like to listen to Charles Spurgeon preaching especially when he did not mince his words as can be seen from these quotes!







"Sin is like the boomerang - it comes back on the hand that has launched it forth. The brethren accused Joseph of being a spy and cast him into a pit; and on the same charge they were cast into prison. King David committed adultery and murder; so Absalom requited him."

F B Meyer







Be sure your sin will find you out." Numbers 32 verse 23

C H Spurgeon suggested several ways in which our sin might find us out:

We become ill at ease
We feel ourselves to be low and despicable
We become weakened by our own inaction
We have little joy in the progress and prosperity of the church
We lose our appetite for the gatherings of God's people







An amazing fact from Numbers 32. After Reuben and Gad had agreed to Moses' condition that they go and fight with the other tribes until Canaan was conquered - 40,000 armed men passed over Jordan to assist but 70,580 men were left behind for the defence of the women, the children and the flocks. Half the tribes of Manasseh also joined forces with Reuben and Gad - they waited until negotiations were finalised before they made a decision.