Ep 741 – Numbers 30-31

Sometimes, when reading the history of the people of Israel as recorded in the Old Testament, we arrive at a passage like that found in Numbers 30-31, and it makes us uncomfortable. In these two chapters we have God command that the people of Israel completely wipe out the Midianites. In essence, He orders them to commit genocide. And this image of God is not an easy one to reconcile. We see this portrayal of God as unattractive and, therefore, inaccurate. This can't be the same God who sent His own Son to die for sinful man. After all, doesn't the Bible say that God so loved the world, that He gave His one and only Son as an expression of that love? Yes, it does. But the Bible also tells us that God hates sin and, because of His holiness and righteousness, He must deal with sin. And while we might see God's actions as somehow unfair or unjust, the real issue here is that of trust. Will we listen to what God is saying and do what He is commanding, because He knows best? It's a matter of faith, not fairness. It's a matter of trust, not trying to put God on trial for His actions.