This verse from Numbers 31:2 contains two distinct commands:
1. "Avenge the children of Israel for the Midianites." This is a directive to wage war against the Midianites as retribution for their actions, specifically their role in leading the Israelites astray into idolatry and immorality. This refers to the incident described in Numbers 25, where Midianite women enticed Israelite men to worship Baal of Peor, resulting in a plague that killed many Israelites. The word "avenge" implies that the Midianites had committed a wrong against the Israelites that needed to be righted through military action.
2. "Afterward you shall be gathered to your people." This is a prophecy concerning Moses. It means that after leading the Israelites in this war against the Midianites, Moses would die and be united with his ancestors in death. It foreshadows Moses' impending death and the end of his leadership.
In summary, the verse orders a war of retribution against the Midianites for their past actions and foretells Moses' death after that war. It's a command rooted in the events of Numbers 25 and a prophecy related to the end of Moses' life.
This verse from Numbers 31:2 contains two distinct commands:
1. "Avenge the children of Israel for the Midianites." This is a directive to wage war against the Midianites as retribution for their actions, specifically their role in leading the Israelites astray into idolatry and immorality. This refers to the incident described in Numbers 25, where Midianite women enticed Israelite men to worship Baal of Peor, resulting in a plague that killed many Israelites. The word "avenge" implies that the Midianites had committed a wrong against the Israelites that needed to be righted through military action.
2. "Afterward you shall be gathered to your people." This is a prophecy concerning Moses. It means that after leading the Israelites in this war against the Midianites, Moses would die and be united with his ancestors in death. It foreshadows Moses' impending death and the end of his leadership.
In summary, the verse orders a war of retribution against the Midianites for their past actions and foretells Moses' death after that war. It's a command rooted in the events of Numbers 25 and a prophecy related to the end of Moses' life.
