I confess it’s difficult to read Numbers 31 in light of what is happening in this world of ours. The Lord said to Moses, “Take vengeance on the Midianites for the Israelites. They fought against Midian, as the Lord commanded Moses, and killed every man. Now kill all the boys. And kill every woman who has slept with a man. v. 1, 7, 17. I can’t help but cringe and think about the images on the news of towns and cities destroyed in Ukraine, in Syria, in any place on Earth where armies destroy; such devastation and sorrow, such hopelessness. I took that to God in prayer after reading this chapter. He reminded me His vengeance is not our vengeance.

The Midianites, with direction from Balaam, enticed the Israelites into Baal worship. God knew that could not be allowed to stand and God used Israel to carry out His vengeance on them. v. 3. Balaam was also killed at that time v. 8.

Again, I keep thinking about vengeance. The vengeance of men and the vengeance of God. King David knew to choose the vengeance of God when he sinned by taking a census of Israel. David said to Gad, “I am in deep distress. Let me fall into the hands of the Lord, for his mercy is very great; but do not let me fall into human hands.” I Chronicles 21:13. David knew. Do we?

Have I not kept this in reserve and sealed it in my vaults? It is mine to avenge; I will repay. Deuteronomy 32:34-35. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you. Isaiah 60:2.

There was darkness in the Midianites from their worship of Baal. What darkness is in us in our midst that God will rise up and destroy at His return? That was my problem this morning because Israel kept turning to darkness and so do we. I realized that when Jesus returns, He will destroy the darkness of sin and He will accomplish it, not human armies.

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” (Deut. 32:35), says the Lord. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” (Prov. 25:2122) Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:17-21.

God’s vengeance is against sin in all its forms and the darkness sin brings. I trust God’s vengeance because He loves us. He loves the Israelites, He loves the Midianites and their story is not over. Their sin of worshipping Baal is over; their sin of children offered in sacrifice to Baal is over. The sins of this present age will be over. Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. Isaiah 60:1. God speed that day and let your light work in us today so we are not overcome by evil but overcome evil with good.

It’s not our job today to go out and solve the myriad of problems we face in this world. We don’t know how. If we did, we wouldn’t live in this mess today. It’s not up to us. It’s up to God and He is in control and able if we will just put our trust in Him and let Him work in our individual hearts….trust Him and see what He can do! I loved this verse in Isaiah: Though in anger I struck you, in favor I will show you compassion. Isaiah 60:10. His anger is for sin, His compassionate love is for us. One day we will all worship Him together. Only He will be able to accomplish that! Turn to Him. He is able.