Scripture: Moses said to them, “Have you let all the women live? 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. Now therefore, kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman who has known man by lying with him.” Numbers 31:15-17 ESV
Observation: Moses, having passed the baton to Joshua, is given one last military task to lead Israel in a holy war against the Midianites. But before launching into battle, the Lord instructs Moses regarding offerings and vows (reviewing an earlier conversation with Moses recorded in Leviticus). Thus, with the call to combat, Israel must “vow” to God to offer their enemy (who nearly led Israel to ruin through the lude worship of a pagan god) as a “sacrifice” to the Lord, i.e., “devote to destruction” the Midianites. Indeed, with Yahweh on their side, Israel routes the Midianites to execute vengeance for the debacle at Peor. As their soldiers return with booty, they lead a procession of women and children (sparing their lives likely as an act of mercy). But Moses is furious and orders that they execute all the sexually active women and the boys while sparing the virgin girls (above verses and v.18).
Takeaway: This is one of those passages that are hard to reconcile in our minds. But we must consider the longitudinal perspective. What happened at Peor would portend Israel’s ultimate fate when later exiled by the Assyrians and Babylonians. But why kill the boys and spare the girls? Sadly, in this age of male dominance, these young girls added value as servants and would pose no threat as mature adults. The boys, however, carried the name of their wicked ancestral line, whom God intended to remove from the face of the earth. Additionally, as adult men, they would pose a threat to Israel’s security.
From our twenty-first-century perspective, Moses’ directive seems callous and extreme. But this was a brutal age of conquest, and allowing enemies to remain would risk one’s survival. Thankfully, we now live in the New Covenant of Grace era, where Christ has defeated our real enemy, Satan. Still, until Christ returns, the devil and his minions linger and continue to harass us with temptations even though they can no longer accuse us. Thus, this story speaks to our struggles with sin as well. And we, too, must ruthlessly address our recurring sins by seeking the help of the Holy Spirit and the community of believers to “devote to destruction” barriers to our faith. How?
- First, bring our struggles into the light of Christ by humbly agreeing with the Holy Spirit when he pricks our consciences.
- Secondly, lean on fellow strugglers, whether seeking counseling, entering rehab, or joining a support or accountability group.
- Thirdly, we must eradicate or distance ourselves from those catalysts that provoke our temptations.
- Lastly, and most importantly, we must fill the void with a growing love for our Lord and Savior, who “devoted himself to destruction” to bring us new life.
Only our maturing affection for Jesus will motivate us to take the next step. And patience is required, for it is a lifetime recovery process that prepares us for our glorious eternity with our Lord and Savior, who has devoted the devil and sin to destruction.
Prayer: Father God, thank you for your Son who offered himself as a substitutionary sacrifice for us sinners. Still, as you know, we struggle with sin and temptations in this life. So Would you please foster in us a growing love and “devotion” for you and your Son so that we might seek the help we need while holding fast to your grace and mercy with each step of recovery? Amen.
Rev. Gordon Green, M.Div., M.A. Counseling
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