The Book Of Numbers | A Journey Toward Human Freedom Under God's AuthoritySample

"Vengeance"

God has the authority to make war, kill, and enact justice on whomever he wishes? Numbers 31 begs this question. It appears here that God’s war is holy and just. It is not like the warring spirit of selfish ambition and pride that enters the world through man. This selfish-type of war first attacked in the lineage of men like Cain and Abel. It is a venomous and murder-thirsty drive to get what one wants at the expense of someone else. 

God however, has already spoken openly about murder as being wrong throughout the Old Testament. This instance more greatly resembles the flood in Noah’s day, or the rescue of lot by Abraham in the first “holy war” in Genesis 14. God’s beloved had been stolen and taken into foreign hands. The evil had so permeated the fabric of Midian, that like the flood, God needed to rid their species in hopes that a rainbow could still shine. This crusade is consistent with Leviticus 19:16 where God says, “not to seek revenge, but to love your neighbor.”

Here, and many times before, like in Deuteronomy 20, God gives the orders for war, but the truth of its justice lies in its motivation. God’s motives are pure and most holy. His judgments are most sound, and his forbearance most patient. He never acts rashly, nor does he ever act blindly. He sees the facts, he knows the depths, and his wisdom stretches before and beyond when time and life on earth begins and ends. 

This reality makes God the only one worthy and able to make such a distinction between killing and murder. The motive for murder is human; the motive for God’s order in killing is divine. It is to enact justice.

My guess is that the truth of this passage may cause some readers some internal struggle. This passage paints God in a light that is beyond our understanding. My encouragement is as you wrestle with God’s justice and wrath, you balance it with his love and mercy. These seemingly “red” and “green” polar personalities to God dwell together in perfect harmony.

It may be helpful as you read, to hypothetically think of someone that will not stop in hurting your own family. What action can you take that will be the most just in stopping them, and what action will you take that will be most loving toward your family? Is it the same action?