(The view expressed in this blog are my own and should not be taken as inspired in any way.)
Numbers 25:16–18, “And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Vex the Midianites, and smite them: For they vex you with their wiles, wherewith they have beguiled you in the matter of Peor, and in the matter of Cozbi, the daughter of a prince of Midian, their sister, which was slain in the day of the plague for Peor’s sake.”
The Midianites had proved themselves to be Israel’s enemies. They tried to defeat Israel in every way they could. Their plan was to defeat Israel in battle and destroy the entire nation. However, they tried to defeat them with spiritual means by hiring Balaam to curse them. When that failed they sought to seduce them away from the Lord so that they would be easy prey for their armies. However, the Lord told Moses that these people had demonstrated themselves to be enemies so Israel could treat them as enemies. Before Israel came to the borders of the Promised Land they had rules of engagement that were designed by the Lord. However, when a nation proved to be unfriendly or warlike they were free to engage with that enemy.
No comments:
Post a Comment