Numbers 25:16-18

C. JEHOVAH DENOUNCES THE MIDIANITES vv. 16-18
TEXT

Numbers 25:16. And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, 17. Vex the Midianites, and smite them: 18. For they vex with their wiles, wherewith they have beguiled you in the matter of Peor, and in the matter of Cozbi, the daughter of a prince of Midian, their sister, which was slain in the day of the plague for Peor's sake.

PARAPHRASE

Numbers 25:16. And the Lord said unto Moses, 17. Vex the Midianites and strike them. 18. They have harassed you with their wiles, with which they have enticed you in the matter of Peor, and in the matter of Cozbi, the daughter of the prince of Midian and their sister, who was slain on the day of the plague because of Peor.

COMMENTARY

Quite properly, PC reminds the reader that, while the account of defection begins with the Moabites, it concludes with the Midianites because the sin of the women of the latter nation were studied and deliberate. The women of Moab, on the other hand, were but indulging in their personal passions. It is further suggested that the Moabites were not acting upon advice of Balaam, as were the Midianites, in a plot to entangle the Israelites in heathen rites and heathen sins which would alienate them from the favour of God, (p. 344).

The text quite certainly suggests that the Midianite women had acted deliberately and craftily. Later Scripture (Numbers 31:16) names this motive and incriminates Balaam. When God instructs Moses to Vex the Midianites, the command is made very emphatic by repetition. The account will proceed quickly to the military census, taken as an initial step in preparation for moving against the Midianites in battle (see Numbers 31:5). It is a logical inference that the actions of Zimri and Cozbi were not isolated, but may have been common among the Israelites as they were lured by the women of Midian. We see the culmination, then, of the invidious plot of these enemies of God's people.

QUESTIONS AND RESEARCH ITEMS

478.

Explain why God sentences Midian to a sad end, but says nothing comparable to Moab.

479.

How severe is the punishment expressed for Midian? How is the severity emphasized?

480.

Explain what part Balaam played in the actions of the Midianite women.

481.

What immediate steps are taken to prepare for the actions of vengeance against the Midianites?