Feb 12

As I mentioned yesterday, the Israelites could have gone through this land peacefully (Deut 2:18-19) if this whole ta-do had not taken place. But because of them hiring Balaam and then causing the Israelites to sin, blood had to be shed. I like how it says that the women 'invited them to the sacrifices to their gods". Num 25:1-2. It doesn't seem to be a condition of their sexual favors but they are more than willing to go along with it apparently.

We aren't told until a little later in the passage that this whole 'get the Midianite women to entice the men' was Balaam's idea. I can't help but see the hand of Satan here- he knows the Messiah is coming through them, he wants to mess them up every which way we can. The Midianites were neighbors nearby Moab and were in with them in going to get Balaam to try to curse the Israelites. (The Midianites are related to Abraham through his last wife Katurah.) While the slaughter and punishment that takes place is clearly disturbing, the author (LaGard Smith) points out that these wars and taking of booty were common place throughout the ancient world. And the sin is clear and blantent and even flaunted. When you do searches for info on these types of battles, you often come across a lot of websites pointing out that "God cannot possibly be a loving and kind God" or else "He is a figment of man's imagination" otherwise why would He order "senseless slaughters" like this. But I am sure that those of you that have been reading along have realized how looooong suffering He is with them and us!!