Jo’s Place

​ Israel’s Disobedience with the Midianites Moses was furious, with all the generals and captains, who had returned from the battle.  “Why have you let all the women live?” he demanded.  “These are the very ones, who followed Balaam’s advice …and caused, the people of Israel, to rebel, against the Lord, at Mount Peor.  They are the ones, who caused the plague, to strike the Lord’s people.  So, kill all the boys …and all the women, who have had intercourse, with a man.  Only the young girls, who are virgins, may live; …you may keep them for yourselves.  And all of you, who have killed anyone …or touched a dead body, must stay outside the camp, for seven days.  You must purify yourselves …and your captives …on the third …and seventh days.  Purify all your clothing, too, and everything made of leather, goat hair, or wood.”  Then, Eleazar, the priest, said to the men, who were in the battle,  “The Lord has given Moses this legal requirement:...

​ Conquest of the Midianites The Lord said to Moses,  “On behalf of the people of Israel, take revenge on the Midianites, for leading them into idolatry.  After that, you will die …and join your ancestors.”  So, Moses said to the people,  “Choose some men, and arm them, to fight the Lord’s war of revenge, against Midian.  From each tribe of Israel, send 1,000 men into battle.”  So, they chose 1,000 men from each tribe of Israel, a total of 12,000 men …armed for battle.  Then, Moses sent them out, 1,000 men from each tribe, and Phinehas, son of Eleazar the priest, led them into battle.  They carried along the holy objects of the sanctuary …and the trumpets, for sounding the charge.  They attacked Midian, as the Lord had commanded Moses, …and they killed all the men.  All five of the Midianite kings—Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur, and Reba—died in the battle.  They also killed Balaam, son of Beor, with the sword.  Then, the Israelite army ...

The Midianites In the Book of Numbers, in Chapter 10: verses 29–36, we learn that.., One day, Moses said to his brother-in-law, Hobab, son of Reuel, the Midianite,  “We are on our way, to the place the Lord promised us, for he said, ‘I will give it to you.’  Come with us, and we will treat you well, for the Lord has promised wonderful blessings for Israel!”  But Hobab replied, “No, I will not go. I must return to my own land and family.”  “Please don’t leave us,” Moses pleaded. “You know the places, in the wilderness. where we should camp.  Come, be our guide.  If you do, we’ll share with you all the blessings, which the Lord gives us.”  They marched for three days, after leaving the mountain of the Lord, with the Ark, of the Lord’s Covenant, moving ahead of them, to show them …where to stop …and rest.  As they moved on, each day, the cloud of the Lord …hovered over them.  And whenever the Ark set out, Moses would shout,  “Arise, O Lord,...

Joseph Sold into Slavery When Joseph’s brothers saw him coming, they recognized him in the distance.  As he approached, they made plans to kill him.  “Here comes the dreamer!” they said.  “Come on, let’s kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns.  We can tell our father, ‘A wild animal has eaten him.’  Then we’ll see what becomes of his dreams!”  But when Reuben heard of their scheme, he came to Joseph’s rescue.  “Let’s not kill him,” he said.  “Why should we shed any blood?  Let’s just throw him into this empty cistern here in the wilderness.  Then he’ll die without our laying a hand on him.”  Reuben was secretly planning to rescue Joseph and return him to his father.  So when Joseph arrived, his brothers ripped off the beautiful robe he was wearing.  Then they grabbed him and threw him into the cistern.  Now the cistern was empty; there was no water in it.  Then, just as they were sitting down to eat, t...