Meting God's Judgment

Scripture: And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, "Avenge the children of Israel on the Midianites. Afterward you will be gathered to your people." Numbers 31:1-2

Observation: Before being released to the promised land, Israel will fight and kill the Midianites. God says this is an act to "avenge" Israel. A question is ... for what does Israel need vengeance again Midian? The answer is in Moses' response to capturing of the female survivors of the war. This action relates to how the Midianites seduced Israel into Baal worship. For this, Israel was punished with several deaths, and only now we see God's punishment for the Midianites.

Application: In the last few days, I have been reading and hearing more about God's patience. That patience surely applied to Israel's lack of covenant faithfulness, and it applies to all of us today, and it personally applies to me and my sin-filled life. However, we should never mistake patience for a lack of judgment from God. God may not smite people real-time, but he does judge after people have processed and proven their decision to not repent.

In the case of the Midianites, he killed all their men as a direct response to their worship of other gods. He did this after first punishing Israel in their presence, then waiting to see if Midian would respond. Midian responded with opposition, not repentance, and were thus punished.

Thank goodness God does not immediately smite us for our failures ... I would have died a LONG time ago!! It is also wonderful that God accepts our repentance, forgives our sins, and provided Jesus for our salvation! However, what happens if I do not turn away from a sin? I will, clearly, be punished some day. So of what do I need to turn away from? Again the answer is clear ... all sin that I persist in without a change in my behavior despite my words to the contrary.

I was reminded this weekend that this changed heart needs to begin with the fruits of the Holy Spirit. I need to pursue patience, kindness, peace, and self control first. With these characters embedded, my heart will be changed in other ways. However, these characteristics - especially patience - I find SO difficult to obtain. Impatience strikes me early and often every day, maybe even continually. I need a concerted effort, supported by the Holy Spirit, to obtain this change in my life. This is my focus and drive today and over the next several weeks.

Prayer: Lord, I pray and ask for your Spirit's assistance in obtaining a peaceful balance in my life. May I please become a man of patience. I desire this as a path toward changing my heard and truly becoming a changed person that receives your grace, not your righteous and rightful judgment. I cannot make this change alone. I ask that you aid me in this pursuit. Give me a new heart. Please give me your Spirit as a counselor and guide toward patience, peace, and love. Amen.