Numbers 31:25-54 – Division of the Spoil
God himself directs how the spoil should be distributed, preventing arguments. All we have is from God, and therefore must be subject to His will. The war is undertaken on behalf of the whole congregation; they would all have been ready to go to the help of the Lord against their enemies, if they had been so ordered, and they do help, most likely, by their prayers; and therefore God appoints that those that wait at home should share the spoil. But the 12,000 that went to the battle have as much for their share as the whole congregation have for theirs. The greater trouble we take, and the greater dangers we run, in the service of God, the greater will be our reward at last; for God is not unrighteous to forget the work and labour of love.
God is to have a part of the spoil, as an acknowledgment of His sovereignty over them, and that He has given them success. Here (as before) the soldiers are favoured above the rest of the congregation, for out of the people’s share God required one in fifty, but out of the soldier’s share only one in 500, because the people get theirs easily, without any danger or fatigue. The less opportunity we have of honouring God with our personal services the more it is expected we should honour Him with our possessions. The officers of the army recognise God’s wonderful goodness to them in this battle, in preserving not only their own lives, but the lives of all the men of war that they have under their charge. Moses accepts their offering as a memorial for the children of Israel, a monument of God’s goodness to them, that they might be encouraged to trust in Him in their further wars, and a monument of their gratitude to God, that He, being well pleased with this thankful acknowledgment of Him, might continue and repeat His mercies to them.
Questions
- Why do the soldiers get more of the spoil?
- Why do the captains of the army make a special offering to God?
Prayer Points
- Give thanks for all the mercy God has shown you.
- Use prayer points from your congregation.
- Pray for family matters.