Numbers 31 - Testing the Boundaries of Obedience

So this chapter is interesting to me because it involves the final test of obedience for the Israelites before they enter the promised land. Interestigly, the test is with the Midianites.

⁶ Then Moses sent them out, 1,000 men from each tribe, and Phinehas son of Eleazar the priest led them into battle. They carried along the holy objects of the sanctuary and the trumpets for sounding the charge. ⁷ They attacked Midian as the Lord had commanded Moses, and they killed all the men. ⁸ All five of the Midianite kings—Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur, and Reba—died in the battle. They also killed Balaam son of Beor with the sword.

One of the reasons this is an interesting test is because Moses' wife and father-in-law were Midianites. Remember that his father-in-law gave him excellent leadership advice early in their journey. Also remember that Balaam, blessed the people of Israel when the king asked him to curse them.

The Midianites were causing them trouble though and the people had led the Israelites astray. so this is their test. They mostly passed it...the one flaw, allowing the women to live who had influenced the men to worship other gods were initially allowed to live. This is a foreshadowing of what will happen in the Promised Land where the people will be almost fully obedient but will allow some to live who will later turn them from God and cause trouble.

How is your level of obedience? Do you follow God's direction "almost" fully or are you on target. I know I at times test the boundaries of obedience. Do you? When tempted to do that, the Israelites are a good people to remember because it is the small portion of disobedience that causes them the greatest trouble. They will turn from God, becomes slaves of other people, be spread out all over and find themselves in constant conflict with other peoples.

Let the Israelites inspire you to full obedience!