Numbers 31-33
Our days with Numbers are numbered; just two more, to be precise. But, it has been an interesting book, don’t you think?
In the closing chapters of Numbers, Moses takes up some final tasks:
1. He leads Israel in “holy war” against the Midianites, who had seduced Israel, after Balaam’s attempted curses fell flat. This is the “Lord’s vengeance,” Moses says in Numbers 31:3, and it is both brutal and complete. Among the slain is none other than Balaam the Seer, whose nefarious advice had led to so much Israelite sin. There is no word on his donkey, however; we hope he survived!
2. He guides the people in dividing the spoils of battle and, from it, in giving offerings to the Lord.
3. He deals with a request from 2 (or 2 ½ tribes) to settle on the far (east) side of the Jordan, where the Midianites had lived. This request is granted, provided these tribes help conquer the Promised Land.
4. He writes a brief “travelogue” of their wilderness wanderings. Unfortunately, most of the camp sites are unknown and impossible to pinpoint.
Tomorrow, Moses undertakes three more “last” tasks.
Until then,
Pastor Gary
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