March 9
Numbers 30:1-31:54
God tells the Israelites to go to war and take "vengeance on the Midianites” (Numbers 31:2) If you remember, Midian and Moab attempted to curse Israel and when that failed, they led them to idolatry and sin. God was unwilling to allow that sin to grow, fester, and multiply, so he called Israel to act. To understand this command and subsequent destruction, remember we do not get to make up our view of God. God is fully just and fully gracious—never one at the expense of the other.
Let’s consider a few truths as we consider God's justice. This is God's call to Israel at a particular point in time and not a normative command of God. The Midianites were destroying Israel and would have corrupted the whole nation if left unchecked. God's ultimate desire is that all people would come to repentance and become part of his family. All people will fall under God's judgment. Some people will fall under God’s judgment on earth like the Midianites, but all will be judged by him in the future. This final point should bring us joy because all sin, violence, and chaos will be finally addressed and beauty, peace, and love will prevail. Let us be thankful God has revealed himself to us so we can know who he is.
Father God, thank for dealing with sin. As I consider your justice, I know it needs to start with me. Help me to embrace your ways and receive your discipline as a confirmation of your love. Amen.
How would you help a skeptic understand how God could demand the killing of people in the Old Testament?
God tells the Israelites to go to war and take "vengeance on the Midianites” (Numbers 31:2) If you remember, Midian and Moab attempted to curse Israel and when that failed, they led them to idolatry and sin. God was unwilling to allow that sin to grow, fester, and multiply, so he called Israel to act. To understand this command and subsequent destruction, remember we do not get to make up our view of God. God is fully just and fully gracious—never one at the expense of the other.
Let’s consider a few truths as we consider God's justice. This is God's call to Israel at a particular point in time and not a normative command of God. The Midianites were destroying Israel and would have corrupted the whole nation if left unchecked. God's ultimate desire is that all people would come to repentance and become part of his family. All people will fall under God's judgment. Some people will fall under God’s judgment on earth like the Midianites, but all will be judged by him in the future. This final point should bring us joy because all sin, violence, and chaos will be finally addressed and beauty, peace, and love will prevail. Let us be thankful God has revealed himself to us so we can know who he is.
Father God, thank for dealing with sin. As I consider your justice, I know it needs to start with me. Help me to embrace your ways and receive your discipline as a confirmation of your love. Amen.
How would you help a skeptic understand how God could demand the killing of people in the Old Testament?
Recent
Archive
2025
January
January 1January 2January 3January 4January 5January 6January 7January 8January 9January 10January 11January 12January 13January 14January 15January 16January 17January 18January 19January 20January 21January 22January 23January 24January 25January 26January 27January 28January 29January 30January 31
February
Categories
no categories
No Comments