English language Bible study guide used by Trinity International Baptist Church of Athens, Greece.
Balak had failed to get a prophet to curse Israel (Numbers 22-24), but the Midianites were able to vex Israel by enticing them to sexual and spiritual whoredoms. In consequence, God instructs Moses to destroy the Midianite nation.
- Twelve thousand soldiers are sent out (1-6).
- The Midianite men are killed including five kings; the Midianite cities are destroyed; Midianite possessions are taken as spoils of war; but the Midianite women and children are brought back to the camp of Israel (7-12).
- The Midianite boys and any Midianite girl/woman who had previously had sex were killed (13-24).
- God orders the spoils of war divided between the troops themselves and the congregation; and He expects each group to present a percentage of the spoils as an offering (25-47).
- In gratitude for not losing any soldiers in the battle, the troops make a separate, free-will, offering worth 16,750 shekels (48-54).
Meditation Points:
We find that Balaam, the prophet who could not curse Israel, had counseled the Midianites as to how they might vex Israel (Numbers 31:8, 16).
Spoils from the Midianite Conquest |
---|
Captured | Total | Soldiers’ Tribute 1/2 X .2% | Congregation’s Tribute 1/2 X 2% |
sheep |
675,000 | 675 | 6750 |
beef |
72,000 | 72 | 720 |
asses |
61,000 | 61 | 610 |
females |
32,000 | 32 | 320 |
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