Numbers 31:2-6
Avenge Num 31:3, Num 25:17-18; Deut 32:35; Judg 16:24, Judg 16:28-30; Ps 94:1-3; Isa 1:24; Nah 1:2; Luke 21:22; Rom 12:19, Rom 13:4; 1Thess 4:6; Heb 10:30; Rev 6:10; Rev 18:20, Rev 19:2 the Midianites Num 25:6, Num 25:14-18; Gen 25:1-4; Exod 2:16 gathered Num 27:13; Gen 15:15, Gen 25:8, Gen 25:17; Judg 2:10; Acts 13:36 Arm some Exod 17:9-13 avenge the Lord It was God's quarrel, not their own, that they were now to take up. These people were idolaters, and had seduced the Israelites to practise the same abominations. Idolatry is an offence against God; and the civil power has no authority to meddle with what belongs to Him, without especial directions, certified, as in this case, in the most unequivocal manner. Private revenge, ambition, or avarice were to have no place in this business: Jehovah is to be avenged; and through Him, the children of Israel (Num 31:2), because they were nearly ruined by their idolatries. If Jehovah, instead of punishing sinners by earthquakes, pestilence, or famine,is pleased expressly to command any person or people to avenge his cause, this commission justifies, nay sanctifies, war, massacre, or devastation. Though none at present shew such a commission, yet the Israelites could; and it is therefore absurd to censure Moses, Joshua, and Israel, for the dreadful slaughter made by them. God himself passed sentence of condemnation, and employed them merely as ministers of his vengeance; and unless it could be proved that the criminals did not deserve their doom, or that God had no right to punish his rebellious creatures, such objectors only shew their enmity to God by becoming the unsolicited advocates of his enemies. Num 25:11, Num 25:13; Exod 17:16; Lev 26:25; Judg 5:2, Judg 5:23; 2Kgs 9:7, 2Kgs 10:30; Jer 46:10; Jer 50:28 Of every tribe a thousand Heb. A thousand of a tribe, a thousand of a tribe a thousand Lev 26:8; Judg 7:2; 1Sam 14:6 a thousand Twelve thousand in all - a small number in proportion to all Israel, or to the forces which they had to encounter. As they were under the conduct of captains of thousands and hundreds, they probably had no general; for Phinehas seems to have accompanied them simply to take charge of "the holy instruments;" probably the ark and silver trumpets. Phinehas Num 25:7-13 the holy instruments Num 14:44, Num 33:20-22; Exod 25:9; Josh 6:4-6, Josh 6:13-15; 1Sam 4:4-5, 1Sam 4:17, 1Sam 14:18; 1Sam 23:9; 2Sam 11:11 to blow Num 10:8-9; 2Chr 13:12-15
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