Thought to Guide Your Reading
The people went to battle and did not lose a single person because God was with them.Summary in 100 Words or Less
God told Israel to destroy Moab. This would be Moses' final act. The people sent 12,000 warriors and killed all of the Moabite males. They brought the women and children back. Moses and Eleazar allowed only the virgin girls to survive. God split the plunder half between the warriors and half between the tribes. One out of fifty of the animals and girls were given to the Levites. All of the warriors survived.The Reubenites, Gadites, and Manassehites wanted the grazing land east of Jordan for their inheritance. They promised to go with the others into Canaan to fight.
How Today’s Reading Contributes to the Gospel: God is Setting All Things Right
God took revenge on Moab for causing His Chosen People to sin.
God would bring His vengeance on Moab for tempting His Chosen People to sin against Him. God will punish those who tempt His Chosen People to sin.Moses and Eleazar were angry at the Israelites for allowing the women, the cause of the sin, to live.
God told the people not make a covenant with any group. These women tempted the men to worship their gods. Israel spared them, most likely because they wanted them for their own wives. This is why Moses and Eleazar were so angry. The warriors cared more for having beautiful wives than being right with God. So any woman who could have a sway on the men was killed and only the young women were allowed to live, since they were innocent of Israel's sin. Choose a mate who is fully-committed to God instead of one that looks good.None of the warriors died in battle.
God will protect His Chosen People when they go to battle for Him. However, notice that this was not a war the Israelites chose to enter on their own. This was a war that God told them to enter. This will be important later when Israel becomes a nation with land.The conflict between the tribes of Reuben and Gad verses Moses and Eleazar show a good way to resolve conflict.
Reuben and Gad want the grazing land east of the Jordan. Moses and Eleazar think they have a similar lack of faith the Israelites had forty years earlier. However, because they both listen to each other any disaster is adverted. When people listen to each other's needs and wants, God can set things right on this earth.Do you know of a misunderstanding that was averted because both sides communicated with each other? Leave a comment in the section below or on the Sonoma Mountain Parkway Church of Christ Facebook page.
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