Numbers 31:1-54 The War with the Midianites and the Spoils

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Numbers 31:1-54 The War with the Midianites and the Spoils

[Study Aired December 11, 2023]

Introduction

In today’s study, we shall take a look at the war with the Midianites as commanded by the Lord and the spoils resulting from the war. In order to understand what the Midianites represent, let’s take a look at their genesis. The Midianites were descendants of Midian, the son of Abraham and his wife Keturah. 

Gen 25:1  Then again Abraham took a wife, and her name was Keturah. 
Gen 25:2  And she bare him Zimran, and Jokshan, and Medan, and Midian, and Ishbak, and Shuah. 

We can therefore see that the Midianites were related by flesh to the people of Israel. They therefore represent our flesh or our old man. This is supported by the meaning of the name Midian. It means ‘strife.’ There is always a strife between our flesh and the Spirit within us. 

Gal 5:16  But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
Gal 5:17  For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. (ESV) 

It was the elders of the Midianites who conspired with the Moabites to hire Balaam, the prophet, who ran greedily after reward and caused the people of Israel to commit sexual sins with the Moabites. This also shows how the Midianites represent our flesh and its lusts thereof. The Midianites were part of those sent to reward Balaam for divination. It implies that the Midianites or the flesh causes us to focus on receiving our reward here on earth.

Num 22:7  And the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the rewards of divination in their hand; and they came unto Balaam, and spake unto him the words of Balak. 

Jud 1:11  Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.

Rev 2:14  But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.

During the days of the Judges, when there was no king in Israel, one of the toughest enemies Israel encountered was the Midianites. This is what they did to the people of Israel:

Jdg 6:1  The people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the LORD, and the LORD gave them into the hand of Midian seven years. 
Jdg 6:2  And the hand of Midian overpowered Israel, and because of Midian the people of Israel made for themselves the dens that are in the mountains and the caves and the strongholds. 
Jdg 6:3  For whenever the Israelites planted crops, the Midianites and the Amalekites and the people of the East would come up against them. 
Jdg 6:4  They would encamp against them and devour the produce of the land, as far as Gaza, and leave no sustenance in Israel and no sheep or ox or donkey. 

Jdg 6:6  And Israel was brought very low because of Midian. And the people of Israel cried out for help to the LORD.

These verses show us that when we are under the dictates of our flesh, we end up being brought low like the Israelites. We end up seeking refuge in mountains, caves and strongholds instead of in Christ. The caves, mountains and strongholds here stand for all the false doctrines which we have come to believe. We therefore hide in these false doctrines thinking they can save us. As indicated, the Midianites or our flesh causes us to focus on receiving our reward here on earth. Thus, the Midianites destroying what the Israelites had planted in verse 3 shows us that when we are given any truth of the word of the Lord, the cares for the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word. These false doctrines (the Midianites) which we have imbibed destroy the increase of the earth, leaving us with no sustenance to live on. 

According to Isaiah 30:23, the increase of the earth represents the word of God. So, Judges 4:4 means that these false doctrines decimate all the true word of God in our lives and therefore blot out the light of the Truth and defile God’s dwelling place within us. As a result, there is no meat of the word of God, represented by the sheep, ox and ass. 

Isa 30:23  Then shall he give the rain of thy seed, that thou shalt sow the ground withal; and bread of the increase of the earth, and it shall be fat and plenteous: in that day shall thy cattle feed in large pastures.

The Lord knew in advance how the Midianites (our flesh) can completely destroy our walk with Him and therefore warned Moses about the need to engage the Midianites (our flesh) in a battle as follows:

Waging War with the Midianites

Num 31:1  And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 
Num 31:2  Avenge the children of Israel of the Midianites: afterward shalt thou be gathered unto thy people. 
Num 31:3  And Moses spake unto the people, saying, Arm some of yourselves unto the war, and let them go against the Midianites, and avenge the LORD of Midian.

As we are aware, the Israelites were about to leave the land of Moab (Babylon) to cross the river Jordan to the promised land. In other words, it is while we are in Babylon, getting ready to exit, to start possessing our bodies that we have to wage war with our flesh. In verse 2, the Lord told Moses that after the defeat of the Midianites, he shall die. Spiritually, this implies that the death of our flesh is through waging war with the flesh. This war with the flesh is a lifetime process. Being crucified with Christ means dying daily to the flesh. 

Gal 2:20  I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Num 31:4  Of every tribe a thousand, throughout all the tribes of Israel, shall ye send to the war. 
Num 31:5  So there were delivered out of the thousands of Israel, a thousand of every tribe, twelve thousand armed for war.
Num 31:6  And Moses sent them to the war, a thousand of every tribe, them and Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest, to the war, with the holy instruments, and the trumpets to blow in his hand.
Num 31:7  And they warred against the Midianites, as the LORD commanded Moses; and they slew all the males.

These verses show us the time that the Lord comes into our lives for us to wage war against our flesh (the Midianites). Moses commanded every tribe to select a thousand people, making a total of twelve thousand. The number thousand represents multiples of ten (1000 = 10x10x10). Ten signifies the completion of the flesh. It is when our sins are full (complete) that the Lord comes in with the breath of His mouth and His brightness to help us wage war against our flesh.  

2Th 2:7  For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. 
2Th 2:8  And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

In verse 6, Phinehas, the son of Eleazer the priest, went to the battle with the holy instruments and the trumpets to blow. The word “instruments” means weapons. As Paul mentioned in Ephesians, the weapons which we use to defeat the enemy are not carnal but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds. The trumpets to blow signify the shout of the Lord or the words of the Lord. As priests of the Lord, the weapons we use as warfare are as follows:

2Co 10:4  (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 
2Co 10:5  Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 

Eph 6:10  Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 
Eph 6:11  Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Eph 6:12  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Eph 6:13  Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Eph 6:14  Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
Eph 6:15  And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 
Eph 6:16  Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 
Eph 6:17  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
Eph 6:18  Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; 

Psa 47:5  God is gone up with a shout, the LORD with the sound of a trumpet.

Having these weapons in battle ensures our victory just as the Israelites were able to kill all the Midianites males. When Christ comes into our lives, He comes to conquer and conquer!!

Rev 6:2  And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.

Num 31:8  And they slew the kings of Midian, beside the rest of them that were slain; namely, Evi, and Rekem, and Zur, and Hur, and Reba, five kings of Midian: Balaam also the son of Beor they slew with the sword. 
Num 31:9  And the children of Israel took all the women of Midian captives, and their little ones, and took the spoil of all their cattle, and all their flocks, and all their goods.
Num 31:10  And they burnt all their cities wherein they dwelt, and all their goodly castles, with fire. 
Num 31:11  And they took all the spoil, and all the prey, both of men and of beasts. 
Num 31:12  And they brought the captives, and the prey, and the spoil, unto Moses, and Eleazar the priest, and unto the congregation of the children of Israel, unto the camp at the plains of Moab, which are by Jordan near Jericho.

The killing of the five Midianites kings shows us that it is by grace through faith we are able to overcome the flesh. It is important to note that Balaam, the prophet who ran greedily after the reward for divination, was also killed during this battle with the Midianites. Balaam represents all that is within us that causes us to seek our reward from the Lord in this life. The killing of Balaam therefore sets us free to be like Jesus, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross. In other words, we are able to endure the trials we go through knowing there is a reward ahead of us.

Heb 12:2  Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 

In verse 9, the Israelites kept all the Midianites women. What this implies is that during this period of our walk, even though we have had this initial victory over the flesh, we have not come to see the difference between the woman in bondage and the free woman. That is, inwardly, we have not dealt with Babylon within (the religious nature of our flesh). Outwardly, we have not separated completely from Babylon, as symbolized by the Israelites staying in the land of Moab. The spoil of all the cattle, flocks and goods of the Midianites symbolize the spiritual riches of Babylon. As our Lord Jesus said, the little spiritual riches of our brothers and sisters in Babylon shall be taken away and given to the elect who are rich spiritually.  

Fire represents the word of the Lord while cities used negatively symbolize Babylon. The burning of the cities and goodly castles with fire in verse 11 symbolizes the beginning of the destruction of Babylon within us when we begin to understand the truth of the word of the Lord. 

Rev 17:18  And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.

In verse 12, both Moses and Eleazer symbolize the Lord Jesus Christ. Bringing the captives, the prey and the spoils to Moses and Eleazer the Priest therefore means acknowledging that it is through the mercies of the Lord that our victory is possible. 

1Co 15:57  But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

1Jn 5:4  For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

Num 31:13  And Moses, and Eleazar the priest, and all the princes of the congregation, went forth to meet them without the camp. 
Num 31:14  And Moses was wroth with the officers of the host, with the captains over thousands, and captains over hundreds, which came from the battle. 
Num 31:15  And Moses said unto them, Have ye saved all the women alive? 
Num 31:16  Behold, these caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to commit trespass against the LORD in the matter of Peor, and there was a plague among the congregation of the LORD.
Num 31:17  Now therefore kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman that hath known man by lying with him. 
Num 31:18  But all the women children, that have not known a man by lying with him, keep alive for yourselves.

In order to understand what these verses signify; we need to look at the difference between the two types of women mentioned in these verses. As the scriptures say, there are two types of women – one is in bondage with her children and the other one is a free woman. The one in bondage symbolizes Hagar who served as bond slave to Abraham and Sarah. The free woman is Sarah. The bond woman has defiled herself with men, but the free woman is a virgin.  The bond woman (Babylon) represents the physical churches of this world, which are in bondage to sin, while the free woman symbolizes the church of the firstborn or Jerusalem which is above.

Gal 4:22  For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman. 
Gal 4:23  But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise. 
Gal 4:24  Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar. 
Gal 4:25  For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children. 
Gal 4:26  But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all. 
Gal 4:27  For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband. 

In verse 13, Moses, Eleazer and the princes of the congregation went outside the camp to meet those who went to war. It is when we go outside the camp (Babylon) that we are able to clearly see the difference between the woman in bondage and the free woman who is the mother of us all. 

Heb 13:13  Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.
Heb 13:14  For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come. 

Moses was angry with the officers of the army because of their indifference in allowing the woman in bondage, symbolized by the Midianite women who had known men, to live together with the free women who were virgins. In verse 16, Moses made it clear to the warriors that keeping alive these Midianite women or the women who were not virgins will ensnare us to be unfaithful to our husband, Christ. His command therefore to kill the women who were not virgins in verse 18 spiritually signifies the need for the destruction of Babylon within us. Outwardly, it also implies that we should heed to the admonition by the Lord for us to leave Babylon so that we are not entrapped in their sins.

Rev 18:4  And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. 
Rev 18:5  For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.

The command to also kill the Midianite males left alive in verse 17 is another way of saying that we should separate ourselves completely from those in authority (significance of male) or leaders in Babylon and their false teachings which have become idols of our hearts. 

2Pe 2:18  For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.
2Pe 2:19  While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. 
2Pe 2:20  For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.

The Purification of the Warriors

Num 31:19  And do ye abide without the camp seven days: whosoever hath killed any person, and whosoever hath touched any slain, purify both yourselves and your captives on the third day, and on the seventh day. 
Num 31:20  And purify all your raiment, and all that is made of skins, and all work of goats’ hair, and all things made of wood. 
Num 31:21  And Eleazar the priest said unto the men of war which went to the battle, This is the ordinance of the law which the LORD commanded Moses; 
Num 31:22  Only the gold, and the silver, the brass, the iron, the tin, and the lead, 
Num 31:23  Everything that may abide the fire, ye shall make it go through the fire, and it shall be clean: nevertheless it shall be purified with the water of separation: and all that abideth not the fire ye shall make go through the water. 
Num 31:24  And ye shall wash your clothes on the seventh day, and ye shall be clean, and afterward ye shall come into the camp. 

In verse 19, we are required to dwell outside the camp for seven days. This signifies that we must come out of Babylon to start our purification process which lasts a lifetime or the complete period of our lives here on earth after leaving Babylon. The fact that we must purify ourselves on the third day that we go outside the camp means that it is through the process of judgment we become spiritually mature. 

Raiment signifies righteousness. Therefore, purifying our raiment in verse 20 means we must learn righteousness. We become righteous through the judgment of our old man. 

Isa 26:8  Yea, in the way of thy judgments, O LORD, have we waited for thee; the desire of our soul is to thy name, and to the remembrance of thee. 
Isa 26:9  With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.

In addition to purifying our raiment, we are required to purify all works of goat’s hair together with things made of wood. Goat’s hair was used as the covering of the tabernacle. What is insightful is the source of the goat’s hair cover. The curtains of goat’s hair were obtained by the killing of live goats and the subsequent removal of their skins. The curtains of goat hair represent our Lord Jesus Christ who was the goat slaughtered on our behalf. It is also significant to note that the number of goat hair curtains needed to cover the tabernacle was eleven. The number eleven symbolizes the ruin and disintegration of the perfection of the flesh. It is through the ruin and disintegration of the flesh of our Lord Jesus Christ that we are found in Him. As He is, so are we. We, too, are being slaughtered daily to complete the Lord’s preparation of our hearts and mind to become His habitation. 

Exo 26:7  And thou shalt make curtains of goats’ hair to be a covering upon the tabernacle: eleven curtains shalt thou make.

The gold, silver, brass, iron, tin and lead in verse 22 and all things made of wood in verse 20 represent what we build upon the foundation which has been laid by our Lord Jesus Christ. All these must pass through fire to be purified. This is what the scripture says concerning this:

1Co 3:11  For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
1Co 3:12  Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
1Co 3:13  Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.
1Co 3:14  If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 
1Co 3:15  If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. 

It is as we go through the fire of His words that we can be part of the camp of the Lord’s elect as indicated in verse 24. 

The Dividing of the Spoils

Num 31:25  And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 
Num 31:26  Take the sum of the prey that was taken, both of man and of beast, thou, and Eleazar the priest, and the chief fathers of the congregation: 
Num 31:27  And divide the prey into two parts; between them that took the war upon them, who went out to battle, and between all the congregation: 
Num 31:28  And levy a tribute unto the LORD of the men of war which went out to battle: one soul of five hundred, both of the persons, and of the beeves, and of the asses, and of the sheep: 
Num 31:29  Take it of their half, and give it unto Eleazar the priest, for an heave offering of the LORD. 
Num 31:30  And of the children of Israel’s half, thou shalt take one portion of fifty, of the persons, of the beeves, of the asses, and of the flocks, of all manner of beasts, and give them unto the Levites, which keep the charge of the tabernacle of the LORD.

The plunder or the spoils depict what the Lord has taken away from the churches of this world or Babylon to give to us His elect. 

Mat 13:10  And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? 
Mat 13:11  He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. 
Mat 13:12  For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.

The spoils consisted mainly of women who were virgins and beasts such as sheep, cattle and donkey. What this implies is that the Lord has given to His elect the ability through Christ to overcome the beast within us. This power to overcome the beast within us has therefore been taken away from the churches of this world to be given to the elect. The women who had not known man represent the fellowships or the churches of the firstborn, through which we are given what every joint supplies. 

Heb 12:22  But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, 
Heb 12:23  To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,
Heb 12:24  And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel. 
Heb 12:25  See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven: 

Verses 25-30 also show us that despite the various talents the Lord has given to each one of us, in the final analysis, if we are able to overcome, we shall all receive the same reward as signified by the two categories of the Israelites – those who went to the battle and the congregation. The spoils were divided into two, one half for those who went to battle and another half for the congregation. The Book of Revelation also shows us that we shall all receive the same reward. For example, all elect shall be rulers of the world with the Lord.

Rev 2:26  And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: 
Rev 2:27  And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. 

The levy administered to both parties is to be given to Eleazer the priest and the Levites who do the work of the tabernacle. This implies that we must remember our brothers and sisters who labor in the house of the Lord and are in need. 

1Ti 5:17  Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. 
1Ti 5:18  For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.

Num 31:31  And Moses and Eleazar the priest did as the LORD commanded Moses. 
Num 31:32  And the booty, being the rest of the prey which the men of war had caught, was six hundred thousand and seventy thousand and five thousand sheep, 
Num 31:33  And threescore and twelve thousand beeves, 
Num 31:34  And threescore and one thousand asses, 
Num 31:35  And thirty and two thousand persons in all, of women that had not known man by lying with him. 
Num 31:36  And the half, which was the portion of them that went out to war, was in number three hundred thousand and seven and thirty thousand and five hundred sheep: 
Num 31:37  And the LORD’S tribute of the sheep was six hundred and threescore and fifteen. 
Num 31:38  And the beeves were thirty and six thousand; of which the LORD’S tribute was threescore and twelve. 
Num 31:39  And the asses were thirty thousand and five hundred; of which the LORD’S tribute was threescore and one. 
Num 31:40  And the persons were sixteen thousand; of which the LORD’S tribute was thirty and two persons.
Num 31:41 And Moses gave the tribute, which was the LORD’S heave offering, unto Eleazar the priest, as the LORD commanded Moses.  

The sum of the plunder that the Israelites took from the Midianites were as follows: 675,000 sheep, 72,000 cattle, 61,000 donkeys and 32,000 women who had never slept with a man. The significant numbers here are 1,2,3,5,6 and 7. The number 1 signifies unity and that of the number 2 is witness. This implies that the Lord has taken away from the churches of this world, unity and therefore disqualifies them from becoming witnesses of Christ.

1Co 3:3  For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? 
1Co 3:4  For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal? 
1Co 3:5  Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?  

The church of the elect is therefore given to have unity of mind and to become witnesses of Christ. 

1Co 1:10  Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. 

The number 3 means the process of spiritual maturity through judgment and that of 5 signifies grace through faith. Our brothers and sisters of the churches of this world are not being judged to become spiritually mature. This is the same as not receiving grace through faith, since grace also means the Lord chastening us. On the other hand, we, the elect, are under the Lord’s judgment to learn righteousness.  

Rom 5:1  Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 
Rom 5:2  By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 
Rom 5:3  And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 
Rom 5:4  And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 

The number 6 means mankind and 7 means complete. This is to remind us that we are the ones whom the Lord has chosen among men to become complete in Him. This is not given to the churches of this world or Babylon.

For those who participated in the war, their half share of the plunder was as follows: 337,500 sheep, 36,000 cattle, 30500 donkeys and 16000 people. Their tribute for the Lord therefore consisted of 675 sheep, 72 cattle, 41 donkeys and 32 people. All the tributes were given to Eleazer by Moses. This signifies that all that the Lord has taken away from Babylon is given to us for our good, to use them to help us offer our bodies as living sacrifices to the Lord. It is very instructive to note that half of the plunder given to those who participated in the war and their tribute to Eleazer all have the same numbers. Thus, the explanation given earlier about the numbers also applies to the tributes. 

Num 31:42  And of the children of Israel’s half, which Moses divided from the men that warred, 
Num 31:43  (Now the half that pertained unto the congregation was three hundred thousand and thirty thousand and seven thousand and five hundred sheep, 
Num 31:44  And thirty and six thousand beeves, 
Num 31:45  And thirty thousand asses and five hundred, 
Num 31:46  And sixteen thousand persons;) 
Num 31:47  Even of the children of Israel’s half, Moses took one portion of fifty, both of man and of beast, and gave them unto the Levites, which kept the charge of the tabernacle of the LORD; as the LORD commanded Moses. 

The half portion of the spoil belonging to the Israelites consisted of 337,500 sheep, 36,000 cattle, 30,500 donkeys and 16,000 people. In the previous verses, we explained the meaning of these numbers which show us how the Lord has chosen us from among men to become spiritually mature through judgment and to have the mind of Christ as we become witnesses of Christ. This is what the Lord has taken from the churches of this world and given to the elect.

Num 31:48  And the officers which were over thousands of the host, the captains of thousands, and captains of hundreds, came near unto Moses: 
Num 31:49  And they said unto Moses, Thy servants have taken the sum of the men of war which are under our charge, and there lacketh not one man of us. 
Num 31:50  We have therefore brought an oblation for the LORD, what every man hath gotten, of jewels of gold, chains, and bracelets, rings, earrings, and tablets, to make an atonement for our souls before the LORD. 
Num 31:51  And Moses and Eleazar the priest took the gold of them, even all wrought jewels. 
Num 31:52  And all the gold of the offering that they offered up to the LORD, of the captains of thousands, and of the captains of hundreds, was sixteen thousand seven hundred and fifty shekels. 
Num 31:53  (For the men of war had taken spoil, every man for himself.) 
Num 31:54  And Moses and Eleazar the priest took the gold of the captains of thousands and of hundreds, and brought it into the tabernacle of the congregation, for a memorial for the children of Israel before the LORD. 

When the officers counted the soldiers who went to war, they realized that no one was missing. This was indeed a miracle. Usually in a war, the winner is expected to have casualties. However, through the mercies of the Lord, nobody was found missing. This shows us that the Lord will fulfill what He has promised us. That is, even though we shall pass through the fire, we shall not be burnt, just like what happened to Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.  

Isa 43:1  But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. 
Isa 43:2  When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. 

The officers, in return for the mercies the Lord had shown towards them, decided to offer what they had received of the gold articles such as armlets, bracelets, earrings and necklaces as an offering to the Lord. We know from the word of the Lord that gold on the positive note signifies the truth of the word of the Lord. This is to show us that without knowing the truth of the word of the Lord (the gold the soldiers had received), we cannot offer a pleasing sacrifice to the Lord. This is what we are expected to do in view of the Lord’s mercies towards us:

Rom 12:1  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 
Rom 12:2  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. 

What they offered to Moses and Eleazer amounted to 16,750 shekels of gold. This implies that it is grace through faith (significance of the number 5) that the Lord has chosen us from among men (significance of the number 6) to know the truth of the word of the Lord (significance of gold), which will ultimately cause us to become complete in Him (significance of the number 7), having the mind of Christ (significance of the number 1 – unity).

May the Lord help us in view of His mercies to offer our bodies as living sacrifices to Him. Amen!!

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