Division of the "spoils” from the war.

Numbers 31:25–54
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This section of Scripture deals with the confiscated spoils from the war, and it is truly amazing (vv. 25-54). All captives and goods were to be divided according to a strict formula. Moses told the soldiers not to keep for themselves all the booty they had taken, but to give a portion of it to God and another portion to the people who had not gone to war (vv. 26-27). This included over 800,000 animals (vv. 32-34) and 16,750 shekels (v. 52) in gold, worth several million dollars in the current United States economy. Some four centuries later David would establish this as a permanent rule of war (I Sam. 30:24-25).

From this example, we should be reminded that the money we earn is not ours alone. Everything we possess comes directly or indirectly from God, and ultimately belongs to Him. We should return a portion to Him and a portion to those in need. In addition to the above, the soldiers took 16,000 virgin women out of 32,000 and gave 32 over to the Lord (vv. 35, 40). These 32 women may have functioned as slaves to the priests (I Sam. 2:22). When the officers counted their men after the battle, they discovered that not one soldier had been lost. Only the Lord could have performed such a miracle. The commanders of the troops were so grateful for this miraculous deliverance that they brought a freewill offering of gold to the Lord. Immediately they thanked God.

After going through tough times, we should be quick to thank God for delivering us and protecting us. It is one thing to bring offerings to God because we have to or because it is our duty, but quite another thing that we do so because we love Him and appreciate what He has done for us.

Application

Lord, help me to be a person who gives joyfully and not one who gives out of obligation.