March 9th

Numbers 30:1-31:54

The Lord gave Moses His laws regarding vows and then commanded him to “take vengeance on the Midianites for leading the Israelites into idolatry” (31:1). Thus, Moses arranged for 12,000 armed men to attack God’s enemies, and Phinehas, the zealous priest, led them into battle with the sacred objects of the Tabernacle leading the way. Not one Israelite was harmed.

My guess is that you may have been caught off guard by the execution of the Midianite boys and women. Moses was furious to find out that they were allowed to live (31:14); he immediately ordered that they be put to death. At first glance, this order rocks our moral senses and, for a moment, we may even pass judgment on God’s actions here. But, let’s not move so fast!

This order will not be the last of its kind; in fact, Israel will be used by God to punish and, yes, destroy the wicked Canaanites for their sins. God had been patient with their debauchery for more than 400 years and now it was time for them to be judged for their defiance. Just as He did in the flood of Noah’s day, in the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, and in the land of Egypt, God will, by no means, let the guilty go unpunished (Exodus 20:4, 5). God is sovereign over all men and nations, and in His sovereignty, He is the righteous Judge. He holds everyone accountable to their actions.

Did you happen to notice, in the midst of the destruction of the Midianites, that Balaam was captured and killed? But wait, wasn’t Balaam a good guy? No, Balaam was rotten. He was a medium, a diviner, who worked for the highest bidder. Although he heard from God and made prophecies concerning Israel, he, like so many others, sold his soul to the devil for the love of money.

Evidently, after not being able to curse Israel directly for King Balak (Numbers 22-24), he found another way to achieve what the King requested. He deceived God’s people through sexual immorality and led them to worship Baal. Thus, God was justified in executing Balaam for his evil, as He was in killing the rest of the clan.

Daily Reflection

Unfortunately, there are many Balaams in our world today, those who will do anything for money, even play the part of a God-follower; but, in time, their true colors become evident, and they are exposed for their wickedness.

Knowing this is the case, that there are many pretenders around you, what does that mean in regards to how you perceive the world and those who live in it?

Isn’t it interesting that sexual sins, idol worship, and money are all related. Why do you think that is? What is their connection?

What are your true colors? To whom are you sold out? Where does your allegiance lie?

BiAY.org | Daily Reflections Day 68 — 297 Days to Go