The Midianites, descendants of Midian, a son of Abraham by his concubine Keturah (Genesis 25:1-2), played a significant and often adversarial role in the history of the Israelites. Their interactions with the Israelites are marked by conflict, seduction, and divine judgment, serving as a recurring snare to the people of God.

Early Interactions and Hostility

The Midianites first appear in the biblical narrative as traders to whom Joseph was sold by his brothers (Genesis 37:28). However, their more prominent role as adversaries of Israel emerges during the Exodus. As the Israelites journeyed through the wilderness, the Midianites, in alliance with the Moabites, sought to curse them through the prophet Balaam (Numbers 22-24). When this plan failed, the Midianites resorted to a more insidious strategy.

The Sin of Peor

The Midianites, along with the Moabites, enticed the Israelites into idolatry and immorality at Baal Peor. Numbers 25:1-3 recounts, "While Israel was staying in Shittim, the men began to indulge in sexual immorality with the daughters of Moab, who invited them to the sacrifices for their gods. And the people ate and bowed down to these gods. So Israel joined in worshiping Baal of Peor, and the LORD’s anger burned against them." This incident led to a severe plague that claimed the lives of 24,000 Israelites, highlighting the spiritual and physical danger posed by the Midianites.

Divine Retribution

In response to the seduction at Peor, God commanded Moses to take vengeance on the Midianites. Numbers 31:1-3 records, "The LORD said to Moses, 'Take vengeance on the Midianites for the Israelites. After that, you will be gathered to your people.' So Moses said to the people, 'Arm some of your men for war, that they may go against the Midianites to execute the LORD’s vengeance on them.'" The ensuing campaign resulted in the defeat of the Midianites, the death of their kings, and the execution of Balaam, who had counseled the Midianites in their plot against Israel (Numbers 31:7-8, 16).

Continued Threats and Gideon's Victory

Despite this decisive action, the Midianites continued to pose a threat to Israel. During the period of the Judges, they oppressed the Israelites for seven years, as described in Judges 6:1-6. The Midianites, along with the Amalekites and other eastern peoples, would invade Israel, destroying crops and livestock, leaving the Israelites impoverished and desperate.

God raised up Gideon to deliver Israel from Midianite oppression. Judges 6:14 states, "The LORD turned to him and said, 'Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?'" With a divinely reduced army of 300 men, Gideon achieved a miraculous victory over the Midianites, as recounted in Judges 7. This victory underscored God's power and faithfulness in delivering His people from their enemies.

Legacy and Lessons

The Midianites serve as a cautionary example of the dangers of idolatry and immorality. Their interactions with Israel highlight the persistent threat of external influences leading to spiritual compromise. The biblical narrative consistently portrays the Midianites as instruments of temptation and judgment, reminding the faithful of the importance of obedience to God and vigilance against the snares of the world.Numbers 25:16-18
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
Nave's Topical Index

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... From this victory rose the first monarchy among the Israelites. ... of the spoil taken
from the Midianites he formed ... which became, as we learn, "a snare unto him ...
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