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Dear Heavenly Father, Praise I humble myself before you today, for you are a God of vengeance. The psalmist said, “O Lord, God of vengeance, O God of vengeance, shine forth! Rise up, O judge of the earth; repay to the proud what they deserve! He will bring back on them their iniquity and wipe them out for their wickedness; the Lord our God will wipe them out” (Ps 94:1–2, 23). I praise you for your divine justice. The wicked will not go unpunished for their evil deeds! Today in Your Word Today you told me about your war of vengeance against the Midianites of Moab. This was not an ethnic cleansing. It was a holy war commissioned by you in order to “avenge the people of Israel on the Midianites” (Num 31:2). The Midianites, along with the Moabites, had led Israel into sin through a strategy of sexual seduction (cf. Num 25:1–18). Your judgment had begun with Israel itself, and a plague killed some 24,000 people before Phinehas killed Zimri. This affirms that your judgment begins with your own house (cf. 1 Pet 4:17; Rom 2:9). Now it was time for retribution on Midian for their part in the rebellion at Peor. This teaches me that those who lead your people astray will be held accountable for their actions (cf. Luke 17:1–2). Moses ordered the Israelites to kill every male, including children, and every female who was not a virgin. Moses correctly pointed out that the Midianite women were especially to blame in the seduction, and so only the virgins should be spared. This teaches me that all life belongs to you, and you have the right as Creator to give and take life as you see fit (cf. Gen 19). When you delegate the task of taking human life to us, we must obey (cf. Gen 9:6), but apart from your divine command, we are told to leave vengeance in your hands (Rom 12:19). Reflection Moses warned the Transjordan tribes that if they did not keep their word, “Be sure your sin will find you out” (Num 32:23). What a sobering reminder that nobody gets away with sin. Request Father, impress on my heart and mind the deadly consequences of sin. Help me to keep myself “unstained from the world” (Jam 1:27). Thanksgiving Thank you for your divine protection. The Israelites did not suffer a single casualty in their war against the Midianites, and I know that nothing can harm me unless you allow it. In Jesus’ name, Amen. Suggested Hymn: “You Can’t Do Wrong and Get By” by L. A. Ellis. Meditation Verse: Numbers 32:23. |