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!!

Hi Mike

I have a question about Matthew 17:24-27.  I came across this story, and it left me confused.

Mat 17:24 And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute?
Mat 17:25 He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers?
Mat 17:26 Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free.
Mat 17:27 Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.

Part of my confusion is that it’s referred to as a “tribute”, not even a law.  So it doesn’t seem like a “render unto Caesar” situation.  Additionally, “tribute” is how I see observing days….as paying “tribute” or honoring something in the world.  Then to add even more to my confusion, Jesus says, “Lest we offend them.”  Why would Jesus be concerned about offending in this situation, but he clearly was not concerned about offending in so many other situations of “observance” of customs?

Thank you for your help and all the time you devote.  I appreciate what Christ is doing through you very much.

Love in Christ,

B____

Hi B____,

Thank you for this question.

I can see that this will no doubt confuse many who are new to the study of the Word.

You point out that Christ paid this “tribute… lest we should offend them”:

Mat 17:27  Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.

As you pointed out, Christ was not concerned with offending the Pharisees when He healed a cripple on the sabbath day and told him, “Take up thy bed and walk.” Christ could easily have waited one more day so as not to offend anyone, or He could at least have refrained from telling the man to ‘take up his bed’. It is clear to anyone that Christ was making a point by healing this man on the sabbath and also telling him to take up his bed.

Joh 5:7  The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me.
Joh 5:8  Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.
Joh 5:9  And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath.
Joh 5:10  The Jews therefore said unto him that was cured, It is the sabbath day: it is not lawful for thee to carry thy bed.

There we have it! Christ knew that by healing this man on the sabbath day, He would offend the Jews, and yet He went so far as to tell the man to ‘pick up his bed and walk’ on the sabbath day.

The same principle applies to Him and His disciples who all broke the sabbath by failing to prepare for it on the sixth day according to the law of Moses:

Exo 16:4  Then said the LORD unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or no.
Exo 16:5  And it shall come to pass, that on the sixth day they shall prepare that which they bring in; and it shall be twice as much as they gather daily.

Christ was well aware of these words which He had given to Moses. But He had come to reform the law of Moses and “magnify the law and make it honorable”:

Isa 42:21  The LORD is well pleased for his righteousness’ sake; he will magnify the law, and make it honourable.

Heb 9:10  Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.

Christ “magnified the law, and made it honorable” by changing “thou shalt not commit adultery” to:

Mat 5:28  But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

He changed the commandment which told Israel, “Love thy neighbor but hate thine enemy” to:

Mat 5:43  Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
Mat 5:44  But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

Every time Christ said, “…but I say unto you… in Matthew 5, He was changing the law, and offending the scribes and Pharisees, and He did so with impunity. 

In Matthew 12 Christ admitted to “profaning the sabbath… as the priests”, and He knew fully well that He was not of the priestly tribe of Levi. He even went as far as telling the Pharisees that He personally was ‘greater than the temple and was Lord of the sabbath’:

Mat 12:1  At that time Jesus went on the sabbath day through the corn; and his disciples were an hungred, and began to pluck the ears of corn, and to eat.
Mat 12:2  But when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day.
Mat 12:3  But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was an hungred, and they that were with him;
Mat 12:4  How he entered into the house of God, and did eat the shewbread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but only for the priests?
Mat 12:5  Or have ye not read in the law, how that on the sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless?
Mat 12:6  But I say unto you, That in this place is one greater than the temple.
Mat 12:7  But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless.
Mat 12:8  For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day.

Wow! Just look at that. In this case it appears that Christ’s main intent was to offend these self-righteous Pharisees. Did He deny that it was unlawful to pluck the corn and eat it on the sabbath day? No, not at all. Instead he pointed out that ‘David did eat the shewbread which was not lawful for him to eat. So Christ is affirming that He, too, was doing “that which is not lawful for Him”. Then He proclaims to these self-righteous Pharisees that He is “greater than the temple [and] Lord also of the sabbath”.

These events demonstrate that Christ did not care whether He offended the Pharisees and scribes. So why is Christ worried about “offend[ing] them”, when it came to paying the temple tax:

Mat 17:24  And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute?
Mat 17:25  He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers?
Mat 17:26  Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free.
Mat 17:27  Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.

The Pharisees and scribes of Christ’s day signify the religious world of our day. Christ even told Peter that “then are the children free [of this tax]”. Is Christ now contradicting Himself and telling us that we are to tithe to the Babylonian churches of our day? Is He telling us that we must observe their days, months, times and years “lest we offend them”.

It should go without saying that Christ does not want us to go back into Babylon and partake of her sins and receive of her plagues after telling us to “come out of her…”:

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 answer to these seemingly contradictory statements by our Lord lies in the fact that, as I pointed out earlier, He had come to bring about a reformation, and He knew fully well that His reformation would take a long time and would not be accepted by His disciples overnight.

Heb 9:10  Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.

Yes, He has laid a lot of that reformation upon them in His so-called ‘sermon on the mount’ where He made so many changes in the law of Moses.  He had put a lot on His disciples with His revolutionary words of Matthew 12:1-8… ‘I am greater than the temple and Lord of the sabbath’… and John 5… “My Father works [on the Sabbath], and I work hitherto”. But there were still very many things which they could not yet bear, and not paying the temple tax was one of those things.

The fact of this matter is that even the twelve apostles were still keeping the sabbath and holy days and even offering blood offerings for decades after the death and resurrection of Christ, as is demonstrated in Act 21.

The events of this chapter take place at the end of Paul’s three ‘missionary’ journeys, and it is very clear that all the Christian Jews were still “very zealous of the law [of Moses]” to the extent that “an offering should be offered for every one of [the men with a vow]”.

Act 21:20  And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law:
Act 21:21  And they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs.

Paul had never “taught the Jews… among the Gentiles to forsake Moses” because he had agreed to the letter sent from Jerusalem to the Gentile churches in Acts 15.

Paul wanted this known to the extent that he himself was willing to pay for the sacrifices for himself, and for four other men who had a vow:

Act 21:26  Then Paul took the men, and the next day purifying himself with them entered into the temple, to signify the accomplishment of the days of purification, until that an offering should be offered for every one of them.

Act 15:28  For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us [including Peter, Paul and Barnabas], to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;
Act 15:29  That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.

Then many years  later:

Act 21:20  And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and yhey are all zealous of the law: [of Moses]
Act 21:21  And they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs.
Act 21:22  What is it therefore? the multitude must needs come together: for they will hear that thou art come.
Act 21:23  Do therefore this that we say to thee: We have four men which have a vow on them; [Christ said, “Swear not at all.”]
Act 21:24  Them take, and purify thyself with them, and be at charges with them, that they may shave their heads: and all may know that those things, whereof they were informed concerning thee, are nothing; but that thou thyself also walkest orderly, and keepest the law.
Act 21:25  As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication.
Act 21:26  Then Paul took the men, and the next day purifying himself with them entered into the temple, to signify the accomplishment of the days of purification, until that an offering should be offered for every one of them.

Now, to answer your question concerning Christ not wanting to offend those who collected the temple tax, let us look closely at these words the Lord spoke to His twelve apostles on the evening of His apprehension by the Jews (Joh 13:38):

Joh 16:12  I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.

Why would Christ say “…lest we offend them” concerning the paying of the temple tax while at the same time deliberately offending them concerning the breaking of the sabbath:

Mat 17:27  Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.

Joh 5:16  And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the sabbath day.
Joh 5:17  But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.
Joh 5:18  Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.

It is Christ and His Father who decide what we are able to receive and when we can receive it. If the Lord decides that it is not yet time to let the Jews know that the physical temple is not at all His temple, then no one can contradict Him. Also, when He decides to keep His own apostles “zealous of the law [including the temple tax]…until the times of reformation” then so be it.

I am thankful to the Lord that He saw fit to remove that wall of separation between the Jews and the Gentiles while Paul was a prisoner in Rome writing to the Ephesians:

Eph 2:11  Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;
Eph 2:12  That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
Eph 2:13  But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
Eph 2:14  For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; [the letter of Acts 15, which affirmed the law of Moses for Jewish Christians]
Eph 2:15  Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;
Eph 2:16  And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:

These words of Ephesians 2 are indeed “the time of reformation”. Christ had hinted at these times when He gave His first recorded sermon at Nazareth:

Luk 4:25  But I tell you of a truth, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elias, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when great famine was throughout all the land;
Luk 4:26  But unto none of them was Elias sent, save unto Sarepta, a city of Sidon, unto a woman that was a widow.
Luk 4:27  And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian.

Just look at the reaction these words elicited from the men of His own home town:

Luk 4:28  And all they in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath,
Luk 4:29  And rose up, and thrust him out of the city, and led him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong.

That same spirit was alive and well in Acts 21 within the “many thousand of Jews that believed and were zealous of the law”:

Act 22:19  And I said, Lord, they know that I imprisoned and beat in every synagogue them that believed on thee:
Act 22:20  And when the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting unto his death, and kept the raiment of them that slew him.
Act 22:21  And he said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles.
Act 22:22 And they gave him audience unto this word [“Gentiles], and then lifted up their voices, and said, Away with such a fellow from the earth: for it is not fit that he should live.

The Christian Jews in Acts 15 “were zealous of the law” which included the paying of the temple tax for the upkeep of the temple. It simply was not yet time to show them otherwise.

I hope this has answered your question.

Your fellow servant, Mike

Gospels In Harmony – Is it Lawful to Give Tribute To Caesar?

Mat 22:15-22, Mar 12:13-17, Luk 20:19-26

[Study Aired June 29, 2021]

In our last few studies Christ spoke in parables to the chief priests, scribes and Pharisees. These parables, as we saw, accused them of wrong doings and showed them their standing in the kingdom of God. As we know these parables are for us to understand what is happening within each of our heavens. Here are the verses for tonight’s study.

Luk 20:19 And the chief priests and the scribes the same hour sought to lay hands on him; and they feared the people: for they perceived that he had spoken these parables against them.
Luk 20:20a And they watched him,
Mat 22:15 Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk.
Luk 20:20b They sent forth spies, which should feign themselves just men, 
Mar 12:13a And they sent unto him certain of the Pharisees, 
Mat 22:16a their disciples, 
Mar 12:13b and of the Herodians, to catch him in his words, 
Luk 20:20c that so they might deliver him unto the power and authority of the governor.
Luk 20:21 And they asked him 
Mat 22:16b saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men,
Mar 12:14b but teachest the way of God in truth: 
Mat 22:17 Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?
Mar 12:15a Shall we give, or shall we not give? 
Mar 12:15b But he, knowing their hypocrisy,
Luk 20:23a he perceived their craftiness,
Mat 22:18 and Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites?
Mat 22:19 Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny.
Mat 22:20 And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription?
Mat 22:21 They say unto him, Caesar’s. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s.
Mat 22:22a When they had heard these words, they marvelled,
Luk 20:26 And they could not take hold of his words before the people: and held their peace.
Mat 22:22b and left him, and went their way.

Our first verses under review tell us something about what is happening today within the body of Christ. In the body of Christ there are those that are sent among us to do the following (This is happening within and without at the same time):

Luk 20:19 And the chief priests and the scribes the same hour sought to lay hands on him; and they feared the people: for they perceived that he had spoken these parables against them.
Luk 20:20a And they watched him, 
Mat 22:15 Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk.
Luk 20:20b They sent forth spies, which should feign themselves just men,
Mar 12:13a And they sent unto him certain of the Pharisees,
Mat 22:16a their disciples,
Mar 12:13b and of the Herodians, to catch him in his words,

Christ is warning us to be aware of those sent forth as spies presenting themselves as just men. He is working this for our benefit to train us to be faithful until the end. The Pharisees of today send their disciples trying to entangle us in our talk. Therefore the body of Christ must be diligent to be of the same mind. We are told that we will be delivered up to those with power and authority of this world. It is all for the purpose of killing our old man within. The Pharisees of today are the doctrines of the world. These doctrines act as wolves trying to divide the flock of God.

Eze 22:23-27 And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Son of man, say unto her, Thou art the land that is not cleansed, nor rained upon in the day of indignation. There is a conspiracy of her prophets in the midst thereof, like a roaring lion ravening the prey; they have devoured souls; they have taken the treasure and precious things; they have made her many widows in the midst thereof. Her priests have violated my law, and have profaned mine holy things: they have put no difference between the holy and profane, neither have they shewed difference between the unclean and the clean, and have hid their eyes from my sabbaths, and I am profaned among them. Her princes in the midst thereof are like wolves ravening the prey, to shed blood, and to destroy souls, to get dishonest gain.

Mat 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

Mat 10:16-18 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.

Act 20:29-30 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.

All this is done so that we will be delivered up to the power and authority of the “governor”. Our next verses give us an idea of how these Pharisees try to “entangle us in our words”.

Luk 20:20b They sent forth spies, which should feign themselves just men, 
Mar 12:13a And they sent unto him certain of the Pharisees, 
Mat 22:16a their disciples, 
Mar 12:13b and of the Herodians, to catch him in his words, 
Luk 20:20c that so they might deliver him unto the power and authority of the governor.
Luk 20:21 And they asked him 
Mat 22:16b saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men,
Mar 12:14b but teachest the way of God in truth: 

These men within and without speak to us trying to appeal to our trust in the truth. They then ask us to explain our beliefs about matters of this world seeing if we are in agreement with their doctrines.

Mat 22:17 Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?
Mar 12:15a Shall we give, or shall we not give? 

Giving tribute to Caesar is today’s equivalent of paying taxes to the government. It is the spiritual type and shadow of our interactions with the world, as we will see later in the study. Continuing with our scriptures, Christ responds to their question.

Mar 12:15b But he, knowing their hypocrisy,
Luk 20:23a he perceived their craftiness,
Mat 22:18 and Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said,
Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites?

Christ recognizes their hypocrisy. We must remember, as our last study pointed out, that these people the Lord sends to us appear to be our “friends” and are being used to try us to show us where we are in our process of entering into the kingdom of heaven.

Mat 22:11-13 And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

We are to try the spirits of everyone that asks us a question. This is part of the trial of our faith. We are shown by these experiences where our strengths and weaknesses are.

1Jn 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the   spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

As we are exercised, we grow and are strengthened.

Heb 5:11-14 Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing. For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

Christ continues his answer.

Mat 22:19 Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny.
Mat 22:20 And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription?
Mat 22:21 They say unto him, Caesar’s. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s.

Paul gives us the explanation of Christ’s words “Render therefore unto the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s.

Rom 13:1-7 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.

Our old man does not always want to comply with what Christ and Paul is telling us we must do. If we are not careful, the ways of the world may overcome us, and the will from time to time be overcome because this is how the Lord strengthens us. This exercise gives us the ability to shut the mouths of our “friends”.

Mat 22:22a When they had heard these words, they marvelled,
Luk 20:26 And they could not take hold of his words before the people: and held their peace.
Mat 22:22b and left him, and went their way.

We will be given the ability to overcome the false doctrines of the world by seeking the mind of Christ. We will fall from time to time but as we grow in knowledge and truth we will be able to do the following.

Rom 12:9-21 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

We will be hated by the world, but as we know, this is to give us the ability to receive the crown of life.

Joh 15:18-27 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not him that sent me. If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke for their sin. He that hateth me hateth my Father also. If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father. But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.

Luk 12:11-12 And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say: For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say.

Jas 1:2-12 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted: But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away. For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways. Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

Rev 2:8-11 And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.

We do give unto Caesar what is Caesar’s so that we can give unto God what is God’s.

Luk 16:13 No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

There is simply no way to obey Christ’s command to love your enemy and at the same time blow the man away. You cannot say you love Christ and His word while you utterly despise His words to Peter:

Mat 26:52 Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.

Mat 26:53 Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?

Mat 26:54 But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?

Orthodox Christianity despises these words of our Lord. I just this week heard a nationally known minister state that the Christian has “dual citizenship.” As always, the scripture used to justify this double talk is Romans thirteen.

Rom 13:1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

Rom 13:2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.

These first two verses are emphasized to the exclusion of their stated purpose:

Rom 13:6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.

Rom 13:7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.

But even when verses 6 and 7 are read, they are read as if the main point of all scripture is “be subject unto the higher [ earthly] power.”

The word ‘earthly,’ of course, is not to be found in this admonition. And of course Peter made it clear that whenever there is a conflict between the earthly powers and the word of God that “we ought to obey God rather than men.”

Act 5:29 Then Peter and the[ other] apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

I would strongly advise you to prepare yourself for rejection if you insist on being faithful to theses words of scripture.

Joh 15:18 If the[ church] world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.

Joh 15:19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

Joh 15:20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.

Joh 15:21 But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not him that sent me.

When Christ speaks of ‘the world,’ He is speaking of ‘the world [ of the] synagogues and the temple.’

Joh 18:19 The high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine.

Joh 18:20 Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing.

Joh 18:21 Why askest thou me? ask them which heard me, what I have said unto them: behold, they know what I said.

Joh 18:22 And when he had thus spoken, one of the officers which stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, Answerest thou the high priest so?

Remember, If they have persecuted me [ Christ], they will also persecute you;

Do you think you are up to this ‘baptism?’

Mat 20:20 Then came to him the mother of Zebedee’s children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him.

Mat 20:21 And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom.

Mat 20:22 But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able.

Mat 20:23 And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father.

This is all written for our admonition.