a guilty nation, in which the women were the worst criminals. The female children were spared,
who, being brought up among the Israelites, would not tempt them to idolatry. The whole history
shows the hatefulness of sin, and the guilt of tempting others; it teaches us to avoid all occasions
of evil, and to give no quarter to inward lusts. The women and children were not kept for sinful
purposes, but for slaves, a custom every where practised in former times, as to captives. In the
course of providence, when famine and plagues visit a nation for sin, children suffer in the common
calamity. In this case parents are punished in their children; and for children dying before actual
sin, full provision is made as to their eternal happiness, by the mercy of God in Christ.
Verses 19–24
The Israelites had to purify themselves according to the law, and to abide without the camp
seven days, though they had not contracted any moral guilt, the war being just and lawful, and
commanded by God. Thus God would preserve in their minds a dread and detestation of shedding
blood. The spoil had been used by Midianites, and being now come into the possession of Israelites,
it was fit that it should be purified.
Verses 25–47
Whatever we have, God justly claims a part. Out of the people's share God required one in fifty,
but out of the soldiers' share only one in five hundred. The less opportunity we have of honouring
God with personal services, the more should we give in money or value.
Verses 48–54
The success of the Israelites had been very remarkable, so small a company overcoming such
multitudes, but it was still more wonderful that not one was slain or missing. They presented the
gold they found among the spoils, as an offering to the Lord. Thus they confessed, that instead of
claiming a reward for their service, they needed forgiveness of much that had been amiss, and
desired to be thankful for the preservation of their lives, which might justly have been taken away.
Chapter 32
Chapter Outline
The tribes of Reuben and Gad request an (1–5)
inheritance on the east of Jordan.
Moses reproves the Reubenites and Gadites. (6–15)
They explain their views, Moses consents. (16–27)
They take possession of the land to the east (28–42)
of Jordan.