Chapter Summary

The judgment of Midian.

Discussion Questions for Numbers, Chapter 31

1. Numbers 31:2, “Avenge the people of Israel on the Midianites. Afterward you shall be gathered to your people.” (ESV) Why do you think God allowed this war to be one of Moses’s last moments of leadership?
2. Why was Moses angry with the commanders from the war? Why were their actions deserving of such a response from Moses?
3. It can be tempting to move past chapters like these because they are too heavy to process. What would help you engage in this text? Do you have questions that you have not had the space to ask before? What do you need to understand about this passage?
4. Numbers 31:49, “and said to Moses, “Your servants have counted the men of war who are under our command, and there is not a man missing from us.” What would this have communicated to the people of Israel about The Lord? How have you personally seen God do the impossible in your life or community?
5. What influence would the events in this chapter have had on the rising generation of Israel?
6. What is the value of the ritual cleansing after war that we see in this chapter? Why was this necessary for purification? How would avoiding this have impacted their approach to God?
7. Considering what a heavy mission this was for the Israelites, how would this influence the generation that entered the Promised Land? How would the acts and provisions from The Lord that got them there impact their hearts once they finally arrived?
8. What is the context of this passage? Why is knowing the context so important to understanding God’s heart and intentions?
9. What was Eleazor advocating for in this chapter? How does this both show honor to God and care for the people?
10. Numbers 31:54, “And Moses and Eleazar the priest received the gold from the commanders of thousands and of hundreds, and brought it into the tent of meeting, as a memorial for the people of Israel before the LORD.” What would this memorial have represented?

Key Words/Phrase

Avenge, v. 3.

Characters

God, Moses, Balaam.

Strong Verse(s)

49