Charles (Chuck) Kensinger

Numbers 31 gives Moses a final task before his death. The Israelites are to attack Midian and avenge themselves for the attempt to curse them and the plot of the women that married the Jewish men when this was against their law. The Midianite kings were killed, and Balaam was also executed. The only ones that were to be left alive were the virgin girls. Purification ceremonies had to be observed as well. The spoils were divided among all of them equally.

Slavery is something that is illegal in this country. Keeping the virgin girls and using them as servants or even taking them as wives, seems to go against what God had commanded at other times. God does not always do things in the same manner. This is confusing for us. I understand if it does not make sense to you, because I feel that way, as well.

The first land is granted in Numbers 32.  The Reubenites and Gadites ask for the property that has just been taken.  Their agreement with God and Moses is to leave their families and flocks on this side of the Jordan as they cross with their brothers to claim the rest of Canaan.  The penalty for not following through with this promise will be fatal.

They agree to be in the lead as the land is taken. The agreements are made, and half of Manasseh’s descendants take the land of their own east of the Jordan to become part of this plan.

©Copyright 2020 by Charles Kensinger