Conquering An Enemy (Numbers 31)

The valuable property remaining from the spoils of war that the people of the army had taken was 675,000 sheep, 72,000 oxen, 61,000 donkeys, and 32,000 women who hadn’t known a man intimately by sleeping with him. The half-share of those who had gone out to battle numbered 337,500 sheep, of which the Lord’s tribute was 675. The oxen were 36,000, of which the Lord’s tribute was 72. The donkeys were 30,500, of which the Lord’s tribute was 61. Humans were 16,000, of which the Lord’s tribute was 32 persons. Moses gave the tribute, a gift offering for the Lord, to Eleazar the priest as the Lord had commanded Moses. (Numbers 31:32-41 CEB)

What happened to the half that belonged to the soldiers? Who looked after the welfare of the captured people?

From the half that belonged to the soldiers, Moses counted out 675 sheep and goats, 72 cattle, 61 donkeys, and 32 women and gave them to Eleazar to be dedicated to the Lord. Then from the half that belonged to the people, Moses set aside one out of every 50 animals and women, as the Lord had said, and gave them to the Levites. (Numbers 31:42-47 CEV)

What was the offering of gratitude that the officers made?

Then the officers who were over the thousands of the army, the commanders of thousands and the commanders of hundreds, came near to Moses and said to Moses, “Your servants have counted the men of war who are under our command, and there is not a man missing from us. And we have brought the Lord's offering, what each man found, articles of gold, armlets and bracelets, signet rings, earrings, and beads, to make atonement for ourselves before the Lord.” And Moses and Eleazar the priest received from them the gold, all crafted articles. And all the gold of the contribution that they presented to the Lord, from the commanders of thousands and the commanders of hundreds, was 16,750 shekels. (The men in the army had each taken plunder for himself.) And Moses and Eleazar the priest received the gold from the commanders of thousands and of hundreds, and brought it into the tent of meeting, as a memorial for the people of Israel before the Lord. (Numbers 31:48-54 ESV)

Unless God specifically commands differently, how does He normally expect us to act towards our enemies?

You have heard that it was said, Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. For He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. (Matthew 5:43-45 HCSB)

As Israel overcame nations with vile practices like idolatry and child sacrifice (Leviticus 18:21–24), do we overcome sin in our lives? You decide!