King James Bible Study – [And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. – Mark 8:34]
Date: Sunday, March 08, 2026
Chapters: Numbers 31-32
Message: Numbers: God’s Vengeance on Median
Hello My Friend,
Yesterday we learned that God reinstated the daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly holy days, and that Joshua had been appointed to succeed Moses as Israel’s leader and guide. Yet even as God prepared the nation for a new beginning, He did not overlook the wrongdoing of the Midianites. They were responsible not only for introducing idol worship into Israel, but also for cooperating with Balaam in the attempt to place a curse upon God’s people. God remembered their actions, and He would now address them in righteousness. As we continue in the reading of Numbers we learn that Moses does not have much longer to live, but before he dies God has one more task for him and that was to avenge the Midianites.
[Numbers 31:1-4,6 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 2 Avenge the children of Israel of the Midianites: afterward shalt thou be gathered unto thy people. 3 And Moses spake unto the people, saying, Arm some of yourselves unto the war, and let them go against the Midianites, and avenge the LORD of Midian. 4 Of every tribe a thousand, throughout all the tribes of Israel, shall ye send to the war. 6 And Moses sent them to the war, a thousand of every tribe, them and Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest, to the war, with the holy instruments, and the trumpets to blow in his hand.]
I do not know whether it would be humbling or discouraging to learn that your life is nearing its end after completing a task. I imagine it would be devastating to discover that only a short time remains, especially if you are fully aware of what is happening. This is why it is so vital to be certain of where your soul will go once your body takes its final breath. Death is appointed to every one of us, but the destination of our soul is a choice we make now, while we still live, [Hebrews 9:27-28 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: 28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.]
Why did God send Phinehas with them? Whenever the Israelite army went to war, a priest accompanied them. He was the one who would sound the alarm, but he also served as their spiritual guide, reminding them that victory did not come from their own strength, but from the Lord. Phinehas was chosen because he had already proven his zeal for God and his commitment to holiness. His presence was a reminder that this battle was not merely physical; it was a matter of righteousness and obedience. It was time for vengeance and the army wasted no time in going after the Midianites, they killed all the kings in their territories, as well as Balaam, but returned with the women and children.
[Numbers 31:8-12 And they slew the kings of Midian, beside the rest of them that were slain; namely, Evi, and Rekem, and Zur, and Hur, and Reba, five kings of Midian: Balaam also the son of Beor they slew with the sword. 9 And the children of Israel took all the women of Midian captives, and their little ones, and took the spoil of all their cattle, and all their flocks, and all their goods. 10 And they burnt all their cities wherein they dwelt, and all their goodly castles, with fire. 11 And they took all the spoil, and all the prey, both of men and of beasts. 12 And they brought the captives, and the prey, and the spoil, unto Moses, and Eleazar the priest, and unto the congregation of the children of Israel, unto the camp at the plains of Moab, which are by Jordan near Jericho.]
Notice who was among them, Balaam himself. The army was rejoicing over their victory, but it was not a complete victory. Moses was deeply angered when he learned that the soldiers had not obeyed the command to execute all who had taken part in the sin that led Israel astray. Their disobedience revealed that they did not fully grasp the seriousness of the corruption that had entered the camp, nor the danger it posed to the nation’s holiness.
[Numbers 31:14-17,19 And Moses was wroth with the officers of the host, with the captains over thousands, and captains over hundreds, which came from the battle. 15 And Moses said unto them, Have ye saved all the women alive? 16 Behold, these caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to commit trespass against the LORD in the matter of Peor, and there was a plague among the congregation of the LORD. 17 Now therefore kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman that hath known man by lying with him. 19 And do ye abide without the camp seven days: whosoever hath killed any person, and whosoever hath touched any slain, purify both yourselves and your captives on the third day, and on the seventh day.]
Why was this important? These were not infants or toddlers who lacked understanding. They were old enough to know the ways of the Midianites and the false gods they worshiped. They had reached an age where they could discern right from wrong and willingly participate in sin. This is what we call the “age of accountability.” Once a child becomes aware of what sin is and can acknowledge personal guilt, he or she becomes accountable before God. While the Bible does not give a specific age in which we become accountable, many place it somewhere around ten to twelve, drawing from the example of Jesus.
[Luke 2:42-43,48-49 And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. 43 And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it. 48 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. 49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?]
Keep in mind that accountability is tied to a person’s state of mind. Children or adults with special needs who are unable to comprehend what sin is are not held to the same level of responsibility. God is just, and He does not condemn those who cannot understand right from wrong. Instead, He uses individuals with special needs to humble us and to remind us that every life is precious, valuable, and created with purpose. You see, it was all about putting away the evil, if they were allowed to keep them all alive, then they would have brought idol worship back into Israel as well as their sinful ways. Now, after the army had carried out everything the Lord commanded, God gave further instruction regarding the spoils of war and the women who had been spared.
[Numbers 31:21-24 And Eleazar the priest said unto the men of war which went to the battle, This is the ordinance of the law which the LORD commanded Moses; 22 Only the gold, and the silver, the brass, the iron, the tin, and the lead, 23 Every thing that may abide the fire, ye shall make it go through the fire, and it shall be clean: nevertheless it shall be purified with the water of separation: and all that abideth not the fire ye shall make go through the water. 24 And ye shall wash your clothes on the seventh day, and ye shall be clean, and afterward ye shall come into the camp.]
This was not left to human judgment or personal preference; God Himself directed how these things were to be handled, ensuring that the nation remained pure, orderly, and obedient in every detail. In this rather unusual illustration, we are given a picture of Christ. Anyone who comes to Him through faith and acceptance of the Gospel becomes His. That means we are not only spared from hell, but we are also cleansed and purified through His blood and kept alive for His purpose. What was once destined for destruction is redeemed, restored, and set apart for the service of the One who saved us, [John 17:22-23 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: 23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.]
After the army finished everything they had been commanded to do, God ordered another census. This time it included the people who survived the battle as well as all the goods that had been taken. Everything was to be counted and then divided in half, ensuring that the distribution was done under God’s direction rather than human impulse.
[Numbers 31:26-30 Take the sum of the prey that was taken, both of man and of beast, thou, and Eleazar the priest, and the chief fathers of the congregation: 27 And divide the prey into two parts; between them that took the war upon them, who went out to battle, and between all the congregation: 28 And levy a tribute unto the LORD of the men of war which went out to battle: one soul of five hundred, both of the persons, and of the beeves, and of the asses, and of the sheep: 29 Take it of their half, and give it unto Eleazar the priest, for an heave offering of the LORD. 30 And of the children of Israel’s half, thou shalt take one portion of fifty, of the persons, of the beeves, of the asses, and of the flocks, of all manner of beasts, and give them unto the Levites, which keep the charge of the tabernacle of the LORD.]
Victory is never achieved by strength alone. Do not mistake Christ’s love for mankind as approval of what the world does or even what His own people do. His love is perfect, but it is also holy. When Jesus returns, He will come with vengeance and with a mighty army, executing judgment on all who oppose Him. [II Thessalonians 1:6-8 Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; 7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, 8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:]
God is never opposed to war when it is carried out under His command. He will destroy all who lead His people into sin. However, if the sin is of our own doing, then we can expect judgment from God Himself. Whenever we drift away from church or distance ourselves from God‑fearing Christians, we open the door for worldly influences to pull us away altogether. Now, when the tribes of Reuben and Gad saw that the land of the Midianites was vacant and abundant, they no longer desired to settle in the promised land. Instead, they approached Moses and asked for permission to take possession of that territory.
[Numbers 32:1-2,4-5 Now the children of Reuben and the children of Gad had a very great multitude of cattle: and when they saw the land of Jazer, and the land of Gilead, that, behold, the place was a place for cattle; 2 The children of Gad and the children of Reuben came and spake unto Moses, and to Eleazar the priest, and unto the princes of the congregation, saying, 4 Even the country which the LORD smote before the congregation of Israel, is a land for cattle, and thy servants have cattle: 5 Wherefore, said they, if we have found grace in thy sight, let this land be given unto thy servants for a possession, and bring us not over Jordan.]
In a sense, Moses was saying, “So, you are telling me that you want to take possession of land that was made vacant only because the entire army of Israel fought for it, while the rest of the people still have to cross over and fight for theirs?” Their request exposed a deeper issue: they wanted the benefit without sharing the burden. This serves as a reminder that every saved, born‑again Christian carries a responsibility toward the lost. We are called to help others determine whether they will be able to “cross over” into the promised land of eternal life. Salvation is personal, but the mission is shared, [Mark 16:15-16 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.]
Moses was actually more concerned about how the rest of the people would react. He told them plainly that their decision would do more than discourage the other tribes; it could keep them from ever crossing over into the promised land. Their choice had the potential to weaken the resolve of the entire nation. Then Moses gave them a grim warning, reminding them of what had happened to their fathers when they discouraged Israel the first time. The consequences of repeating that mistake would be severe.
[Numbers 32:6-9 And Moses said unto the children of Gad and to the children of Reuben, Shall your brethren go to war, and shall ye sit here? 7 And wherefore discourage ye the heart of the children of Israel from going over into the land which the LORD hath given them? 8 Thus did your fathers, when I sent them from Kadesh-barnea to see the land. 9 For when they went up unto the valley of Eshcol, and saw the land, they discouraged the heart of the children of Israel, that they should not go into the land which the LORD had given them.]
This is why those who are faithful to Christ and endure suffering while fighting this spiritual war often become frustrated with believers who get saved and then go about their lives with little concern for their fellow brothers and sisters. It is discouraging to watch someone enjoy the blessings of salvation while showing no desire to help others grow or stand firm. Yet even in our frustration, we are reminded that we must never cause another Christian to stumble. Our responsibility is to strengthen, encourage, and guide, not to push someone further away, [Romans 14:13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.]
There are two warnings here. First, they would be held accountable for discouraging the rest of Israel from crossing over into the promised land. Second, if they chose this path for selfish reasons, they would die in their sin. Moses made it clear that their decision carried consequences far beyond themselves.
[Numbers 32:14-17 And, behold, ye are risen up in your fathers’ stead, an increase of sinful men, to augment yet the fierce anger of the LORD toward Israel. 15 For if ye turn away from after him, he will yet again leave them in the wilderness; and ye shall destroy all this people. 16 And they came near unto him, and said, We will build sheepfolds here for our cattle, and cities for our little ones: 17 But we ourselves will go ready armed before the children of Israel, until we have brought them unto their place: and our little ones shall dwell in the fenced cities because of the inhabitants of the land.]
Notice who was not part of this conversation, God. This entire discussion took place between Moses and the tribes of Reuben and Gad. They were negotiating based on preference, not divine instruction. Nevertheless, they continued their plea and eventually presented a plan that Moses agreed to, provided they fulfilled their obligation to fight alongside their brothers until the land was secured.
[Numbers 32:20-23 And Moses said unto them, If ye will do this thing, if ye will go armed before the LORD to war, 21 And will go all of you armed over Jordan before the LORD, until he hath driven out his enemies from before him, 22 And the land be subdued before the LORD: then afterward ye shall return, and be guiltless before the LORD, and before Israel; and this land shall be your possession before the LORD. 23 But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out.]
Moses implies that their own sin would eventually bring its own punishment, along with the guilt of failing to help their brothers as they had promised. The warning was clear: neglecting their duty would not only harm others, it would return upon their own heads. You see, while those who receive Christ as their Saviour will stand guiltless before God, through their faith in Him alone, that does not exempt them from the trials and tribulations that come when a believer chooses to live in the ways of the world. Salvation removes the eternal penalty of sin, but it does not remove the earthly consequences of disobedience. When we walk away from God’s will, we invite hardship, discipline, and sorrow that could have been avoided. Holiness protects; worldliness exposes.
[Numbers 32:29-30,33 And Moses said unto them, If the children of Gad and the children of Reuben will pass with you over Jordan, every man armed to battle, before the LORD, and the land shall be subdued before you; then ye shall give them the land of Gilead for a possession: 30 But if they will not pass over with you armed, they shall have possessions among you in the land of Canaan. 33 And Moses gave unto them, even to the children of Gad, and to the children of Reuben, and unto half the tribe of Manasseh the son of Joseph, the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites, and the kingdom of Og king of Bashan, the land, with the cities thereof in the coasts, even the cities of the country round about.]
God may correct His people, chasten them, and even deny them certain things when they have openly disobeyed Him or when withholding something is for their good. Yet if we have accepted His Son as our Saviour, then we belong to Him, and that means He will protect us throughout our lives. While we cannot avoid every hardship that comes our way, we can certainly keep ourselves from suffering more than what is appointed by walking closely with Him rather than drifting toward the world. Nevertheless, should we fall, we have the assurance that God will work all things together for good to those who love Him. His discipline may be painful, but His purpose is always redemptive.
[Romans 8:28-30 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.]
Today’s Prayer: God, It never ceases to amaze me just how loving and merciful you are to us, no matter what we have done with our lives. While You have us in the world, You keep us out of it by living our lives in a way that pleases You. While we do not need to do anything to keep our salvation we truly are blessed as we remain faithful to You. We are here for Your purpose, even if that means we must fight some wars. Lord, lead us and guide us, give us Your power, mercy, grace, and the strength to stand by our faith, let us never be ashamed or fear sharing our faith, and let us keep working to be the best we can, and not for the sake of our own lives, but for the sake of the lost, as we have the promised land awaiting us. I ask these things in Your name, Jesus. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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