Numbers 31:2

"Take vengeance on the Midianites for the Israelites. After that, you will be gathered to your people."

Study Bible

Take vengeance on the Midianites for the Israelites.
This command from God to Moses is a direct order for retribution against the Midianites, who had led the Israelites into sin through the incident at Peor (Numbers 25). The Midianites, along with the Moabites, had seduced the Israelites into idolatry and immorality, which resulted in a plague that killed 24,000 Israelites. This act of vengeance is seen as divine justice rather than personal revenge, emphasizing God's holiness and the need to eradicate sin from among His people. The Midianites were descendants of Abraham through Keturah (Genesis 25:1-2), making them distant relatives of the Israelites, yet their actions warranted this severe response. This event foreshadows the ultimate judgment against sin and can be seen as a type of Christ's victory over sin and evil. The concept of divine vengeance is echoed in the New Testament, where God is portrayed as the ultimate judge (Romans 12:19).

After that, you will be gathered to your people.
This phrase indicates that Moses' death is imminent, and it serves as a reminder of his mortality and the completion of his mission. "Gathered to your people" is a euphemism for death, suggesting a reunion with ancestors, which reflects the belief in an afterlife and continuity beyond death. Moses, who led the Israelites out of Egypt and through the wilderness, is not permitted to enter the Promised Land due to his disobedience at Meribah (Numbers 20:12). This statement underscores the theme of divine justice and the consequences of sin, even for a leader as great as Moses. It also highlights the transition of leadership to Joshua, who will lead the Israelites into Canaan. Moses' impending death can be seen as a type of Christ, who also completed His mission before His death, providing a way for His people to enter the ultimate Promised Land.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Moses
The leader of the Israelites, who is instructed by God to take vengeance on the Midianites. This command is part of his final acts before his death.

2. Midianites
A nomadic tribe that had led Israel into sin through the incident at Peor, where they seduced the Israelites into idolatry and immorality.

3. Israelites
The chosen people of God, who are to execute God's judgment on the Midianites as a form of divine retribution.

4. God's Command
The directive given to Moses to enact vengeance, which signifies divine justice and the seriousness of sin.

5. Vengeance
The act of retribution commanded by God, highlighting the theme of divine justice and the consequences of leading God's people into sin.

Teaching Points

Divine Justice
God's command to take vengeance on the Midianites underscores His justice and intolerance of sin. It serves as a reminder that sin has consequences and that God will ultimately judge unrighteousness.

Obedience to God's Commands
Moses' role in executing God's command highlights the importance of obedience, even when the task is difficult. Believers are called to trust and obey God's directives, knowing that His ways are just.

The Seriousness of Sin
The incident with the Midianites illustrates the destructive nature of sin and the importance of remaining faithful to God. It serves as a warning to avoid compromising with sin and idolatry.

God's Sovereignty and Timing
The timing of the command, just before Moses' death, shows God's sovereignty in His plans and purposes. It encourages believers to trust in God's perfect timing in their own lives.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does the command to take vengeance on the Midianites reflect God's character and His view of sin?

2. In what ways can we apply the principle of leaving vengeance to God in our personal conflicts, as taught in Romans 12:19?

3. What lessons can we learn from Moses' obedience to God's difficult command, and how can we apply these lessons in our own walk of faith?

4. How does the account of the Midianites and the Israelites serve as a warning against the dangers of idolatry and immorality in today's context?

5. How can understanding God's sovereignty and timing, as seen in the events of Numbers 31, help us trust Him more in our daily lives?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Genesis 25:1-4
Provides background on the Midianites, who are descendants of Abraham through Keturah, showing the complex familial ties and historical context.

Numbers 25:1-18
Details the sin of Peor, where the Midianites led Israel into idolatry, setting the stage for the events of Numbers 31.

Deuteronomy 32:35
Emphasizes that vengeance belongs to the Lord, reinforcing the idea that the command to Moses is an execution of divine justice.

Romans 12:19
Advises believers to leave vengeance to God, connecting the Old Testament concept of divine retribution with New Testament teachings on forgiveness and trust in God's justice.