God’s judgment on the Midianites

Numbers 31:1–24
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Moses’ last assignment was to carry out the Lord’s vengeance on the Midianites; then he would meet “the last enemy” which is death. The Midianites (v. 2) were a nomadic people who descended from Abraham through his second wife Keturah (Gen. 25:1). Because the Midianites were responsible for enticing Israel into Baal worship, God commanded Israel to destroy them. This was a Holy war which differed from other wars in that the Lord Himself led the army (12,000 Israelite soldiers). The result was the slaying of all the males (v. 7) which can probably be interpreted as all the males living in the battleground area and not the entire Midianite race, for in Gideon’s time they are seen back in full force again. It says that all the Midianite men were killed but not a single Jewish soldier died in the conflict (v. 49). However, the women and children were spared as were the animals (v. 9).

In disobedience to God’s command, the soldiers did not exterminate all the Midianites but brought the women and children back as captives. When Moses met the returning army, he was angry and commanded that the male children be slain as well as the women and girls who were not virgins. The virgins were no doubt spared because they obviously had no role in the Baal worship, nor could they by themselves perpetuate the Midianite peoples. A strict application of the rules of Holy war dictated that they too should have been killed (Duet. 20:16), so this was only a concession by Moses.

Application

Israel most likely took the women as captives, rather than killing them because of the tempting enticements of a sinful life style. Moses dealt with their sin promptly and completely. When God points out sin in my life, I must also deal with it promptly and completely.