Num 31:2-3, Judg 5:23, 1Sa 15:2-3, 18-23, Psa 137:8-9, Zec 9:13-16 | TSK | STEP

Numbers 31:2-3

Avenge.

3; 25:17,18; De 32:35; Jud 16:24,28-30; Ps 94:1-3; Isa 1:24

Na 1:2; Lu 21:22; Ro 12:19; 13:4; 1Th 4:6; Heb 10:30; Re 6:10

Re 18:20; 19:2

the Midianites.

25:6,14-18; Ge 25:1-4; Ex 2:16

gathered.

27:13; Ge 15:15; 25:8,17; Jud 2:10; Ac 13:36

Arm some.

Ex 17:9-13

avenge the Lord.It was God's quarrel, not their own, that they were now to take up. These people were idolaters, and had seduced the Israelites to practise the same abominations. Idolatry is an offence against God; and the civil power has no authority to meddle with what belongs to Him, without especial directions, certified, as in this case, in the most unequivocal manner. Private revenge, ambition, or avarice were to have no place in this business: Jehovah is to be avenged; and through Him, the children of Israel, (ver. 2,) because they were nearly ruined by their idolatries. If Jehovah, instead of punishing sinners by earthquakes, pestilence, or famine,is pleased expressly to command any person or people to avenge his cause, this commission justifies, nay sanctifies, war, massacre, or devastation. Though none at present shew such a commission, yet the Israelites could; and it is therefore absurd to censure Moses, Joshua, and Israel, for the dreadful slaughter made by them. God himself passed sentence of condemnation, and employed them merely as ministers of his vengeance; and unless it could be proved that the criminals did not deserve their doom, or that God had no right to punish his rebellious creatures, such objectors only shew their enmity to God by becoming the unsolicited advocates of his enemies.

25:11,13; Ex 17:16; Le 26:25; Jud 5:2,23; 2Ki 9:7; 10:30; Jer 46:10

Jer 50:28

Judges 5:23

Curse ye.

1Sa 26:19; Jer 48:10; 1Co 16:22

Meroz.This city of Meroz seems to have been, at this time, a place of considerable importance, since something great was expected from it; but probably, after the angel of the Lord had pronounced this curse, it dwindled and like the fig-tree which Christ cursed, withered away; so that we never read of it after this in Scripture.

the angel.

2:1; 4:6; 6:11; 13:3; Mt 25:41

they came.

21:9,10; Ne 3:5

to the help.

1Sa 17:47; 18:17; 25:28; Ro 15:18; 1Co 3:9; 2Co 6:1

1 Samuel 15:2-3

I remember.

Jer 31:34; Ho 7:2; Am 8:7

Amalek.

Ex 17:8-16; Nu 24:20; De 25:17-19

Now go.The Amalekites, a people of Arabia Petræa, who inhabited a tract of country on the frontiers of Egypt and Canaan, had acted with great cruelty towards the Israelites on their coming out of Egypt, and God then purposed that Amalek, as a nation, should be blotted out from under heaven; but it had been spared till it had filled up the measure of its iniquities, and now this purpose is carried into effect by Saul, upwards of 400 years afterwards! Nothing could justify such an exterminating decree but the absolute authority of God; and this was given: all the reasons of it we do not know; but this we know well, the Judge of all the earth doeth right.

utterly destroy.

Le 27:28,29; Nu 24:20; De 13:15,16; 20:16-18; Jos 6:17-21

slay.

Ex 20:5; Nu 31:17; Isa 14:21,22

ox and sheep.

Ge 3:17,18; Ro 8:20-22