Numbers 31:18

"Avenge the people of Israel on the Midianites," says the LORD. "Afterward you shall be gathered to your people." … And Moses said to the people, "Arm men from among you for the war, that they may go against Midian to execute the LORD's vengeance on Midian." Is this not perfection? When the LORD spoke, He told His servant to avenge the people of Israel on the Midianites. But when Moses spoke, he told them to execute the LORD's vengeance on the Midianites.

But the daughters of Moab were also in the sin (Num. 25:1). Again, we hear the command, "Avenge the children of Israel of the Midianites." Why not of the Moabites? Then the destruction of Moab would, as that of Midian, have been complete. But God had said that Israel should not trouble Moab (Deut. 2:9). So judgment here does not fall on Moab proper, but it falls without mercy on Midian. Is this not an instance of the discriminating judgment of God, Who will have mercy on whom He will?

As they returned with the spoil, Moses and Eleazar went out to meet them, along with other leaders of the people (v.13). But at once Moses' anger burned, and he rebuked them sharply for sparing the women. He reminded them that it was the women of Midian who had seduced the men of Israel through the counsel of Balaam (vs.14-16). Phinehas ought to have realised what this meant, for he had already killed the woman of Midian as well as the man of Israel for their corrupt relationship.

Moses commanded them to kill the young boys and all the women who had been intimate with a man. The other girls could remain alive and become part of Israel (vs.17-18). Only in this way could they guard against any contamination. How different is the truth of Christianity, which deals in grace to lead the ungodly to judge themselves and be saved!

The terrible, indiscriminate slaughter of a whole culture may naturally strike us as wrong. But God is wiser than we are. He knows what He is doing. … Idolatry and demon worship had risen so high that there was no hope of recovery. Little children would be better dead than exposed to the evil their parents indulged in. Parents would be better dead than left to go on in the abominations that filled their whole society.

The Midianites are a type of the special influence the world has over the hearts of the people of God. It is the fascinating, ensnaring power of the world, used by Satan to keep us from entering our proper heavenly portion. Israel should have had nothing to do with these Midianites. But in an evil hour, an unguarded moment, they were betrayed into association with them. Now nothing remains but war and complete destruction.

War with Midian formed no part of Israel's proper work. They had to thank themselves for it. But God is gracious. So, through a special work of priestly ministry, they were able not only to conquer the Midianites but also to carry away much spoil. God, in His infinite goodness, brings good out of evil. … But the evil had to be judged completely.