ALPHA MAAMA (A.M.)

 Falaite Siulai 9, 2021

Te ke mātu‘aki sauni ‘a ha‘a ‘Isileli ki he kau Mitiani

“Take vengeance on the Midianites for the children of Israel

Nomipa 31 (Numbers 31)

G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible

Here we have the story of the end of Balaam. It took place in connection with a war directly resulting from the sin of the people committed through the influence of Balaam. They had corrupted the national life by cohabitation with the women of Midian. This, as specifically stated, resulted from "the counsel of Balaam."

In this war Phinehas led as priest. This is arresting as revealing the peculiar and religious note of the conflict. It was the relationship of the people to God that was imperiled. Phinehas, who on a previous occasion had stayed the plague by his action now led the twelve thousand chosen men on the mission of judgment. It has been suggested that in all probability some of the actual numbers in this chapter are inaccurate, that in the process of translation and copying, mistakes have been made. That is quite possible. It is, however, a matter of no real moment. The method of this enterprise was most drastic and hard, but, as so constantly in the perusal of the history of those times, it must be interpreted by the age in which it happened. In the fuller light which has come in the process of the ages such methods are unnecessary and therefore are never commanded.

David Guzik :: Study Guide for Numbers 31

(v. 1-2) PEA folofola ‘a Sihova kia Mōsese, ‘o pehē, Te ke mātu‘aki sauni ‘a ha‘a ‘Isileli ki he kau Mitiani: pea hili ia ‘e ului koe ki ho kakai.

(v. 1-2) And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: “Take vengeance on the Midianites for the children of Israel. Afterward you shall be gathered to your people.”

Take vengeance on the Midianites: The Midianites were a nomadic people, at this time associated with the people of Moab. God commanded they be attacked in retribution for their seduction of Israel into sexual immorality and idolatry (Numbers 25).

"The Midianites were a large confederation of tribes, associated with various smaller groups … They roamed through the arid lands of the Sinai, the Negeb and Transjordan. Here it is those Midianites associated with Moab that are picked out for vengeance." (Wenham)

Take vengeance: We are generally uncomfortable with the idea of vengeance because it doesn't seem consistent with God's love. Yet, in the right context, vengeance is something good that God is interested in.

The Scriptures repeatedly speak of the vengeance of God as a positive thing. Evil comes when we take vengeance into our own hands.

In this circumstance, Israel was in a unique place - with a special call to be an instrument of God's vengeance. This is something no person should take upon themselves today, knowing that ancient Israel had this unique place in God's plan.

So, when God-ordained instruments of authority (such as government) take vengeance on evildoers, we as Christians can be at peace, knowing that good has been done when vengeance has been executed.