Every State For Israel

Forgiveness of sin is a major theme in the Bible. The Old Testament begins with the story of Adam and Eve sinning and destroying the perfection God originally created. Sin passed from Adam and Eve to their descendants, and the remainder of the biblical story focused on the way in which God would redeem mankind and the rest of creation from the ravages of sin and disobedience.

Discover God's promise of redemption and forgiveness: https://bit.ly/3TgcHuN

In Numbers 31, God tells the Israelites to “execute the Lord’s vengeance on Midian” by going to war against the Midianites, killing them all except for young females who were virgins, so they could become wives or servants (Numbers 31:1–18). If God is good, then why would He command the Israelites to slaughter the Midianites—not just the men, but the women and the children too? This passage is not a prescription for acceptable military action, but a description of God’s justice and vengeance in response to the attempted genocide of His people. It is an example that vengeance belongs to God, not man (Deuteronomy 32:35).

In Numbers 31:1, the Lord says “Take full vengeance for the sons of Israel on the Midianites . . . ”. Later in verse 3, Moses shares this message with the people, saying “ . . . to execute the Lord’s vengeance on Midian.” Why? From Balaam’s counsel, the Midianites knew Israel would be cursed if they broke the Lord’s covenant, so they sent women to seduce the Israelite men into sexual immorality and idolatry, bringing a plague upon Israel that killed 24,000 Israelites (Numbers 22–25).

God’s act of judgement against the Midianites in Numbers 31 was to avenge His people for the Midianites’ use of temptation to achieve the unprovoked mass destruction of the Israelites. This was “the Lord’s vengeance” (Numbers 31:3), not a human act of revenge—proven when no Israelites were killed in battle (Numbers 31:49). God used the Israelites to execute Midian’s judgement in this case, but no human nation can represent God’s justice this way on their own authority.

The Israelites who killed had to purify themselves for seven days before reentering the community (Numbers 31:19–24); though they obeyed God, they were still unclean from death. The slaughter of the Midianites was not an ideal scenario. Rather, it was the response of a just God to the calculated temptation and resulting deaths of His people; He spared only those who were innocent of seducing the Israelites, could still be integrated into the community, and would not be expected to avenge their fathers.

Is the God of the New Testament the same as the God of Israel? Discover what we find in Scripture: https://bit.ly/4gpI5AN

Recently, our staff welcomed Dr. Mitch Glaser, president of Chosen People Ministries, in Israel. Dr. Glaser spoke of the comforting words found in Isaiah 43:1–7, especially these: “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you . . . When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned.” He spoke directly to a room full of people who have been through two-and-a-half years of war about its hardships, worry, and heartache. This talk was on the anniversary of our ministry facility in Tel Aviv being struck by an Iranian missile in June 2025. The evening was a time of celebration for the life and salvation He has given us. Read the full report: https://bit.ly/3SP1zF8

Also in this week’s Inside Israel:
🔹Iran Continues to Develop Underground Nuclear Site “Pickaxe Mountain”
🔹Israel Defense Forces Prepare for Possible Action as Hamas Refuses to Disarm
🔹Israel’s Newest Medical Advancement Treats Opioid Addiction

Read more stories in this week's edition of Inside Israel: https://bit.ly/3SP1zF8