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Numbers 31:3

Numbers 31:3

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Canne, Browne, Blayney, Scott, and others · Public Domain

Arm some:

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 (), 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. , ; ; ; , ; , ; ;

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Numbers 31 — OverviewNumbers 31 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleThis chapter belongs to "the book of the wars of the Lord," in which it is probable it was inserted. It is the history of a holy war, a war with Midian. Here is, I. A divine command for the war, ver. 1, 2. II.…Numbers 31 — OverviewNumbers 31 · Treasury of Scripture KnowledgeNumbers 31:1, The Midianites are spoiled, and Balaam slain; Numbers 31:13, Moses is wroth with the officers, for saving the women alive; Numbers 31:19, How the soldiers, with their captives and spoil, are to be…Numbers 31 — OverviewNumbers 31 · John Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleThis chapter contains an order to make war upon Midian, which was accordingly done, Nu 31:1, but Moses was wroth, because they saved the women alive, who, through the counsel of Balaam, had been the cause of sin, and of…Numbers 31:1-6Numbers 31:1-6 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleHere, I. The Lord of hosts gives orders to Moses to make war upon the Midianites, and his commission no doubt justified this war, though it will not serve to justify the like without such commission. The…Numbers 31:3Numbers 31:3 · John Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleAnd Moses spake unto the people, saying,.... In obedience to the divine command; this must be supposed to be spoken to the heads or princes of the tribes:arm some of yourselves unto the war: not the whole body of the…
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