“Only the gold, and the silver, the brass, the iron, the tin, and the lead,”
Context: Numbers 31 describes the events that occurred after the Israelites, led by Moses, had defeated the Midianites. God had commanded Moses to avenge the Israelites for the deceptive tactics and idolatry of the Midianites. In this chapter, we see the instructions given by God regarding the division of the spoils of war.
Importance of Obedience: God had given specific instructions to the Israelites regarding the spoils of war. In Numbers 31:22, we see the items that were to be preserved from the spoils, namely gold, silver, brass, iron, tin, and lead. This verse highlights the importance of obedience to God’s commands. The Israelites were required to follow God’s instructions precisely and not keep anything that was prohibited.
Symbolism: Each of the mentioned metals carries symbolic significance. Gold is often associated with purity, value, and the glory of God. Silver can symbolize redemption or atonement. Brass (bronze) represents judgment and purification. Iron signifies strength and durability. Tin symbolizes the refining process, as it was often used to remove impurities. Lead can represent protection and guidance, as it is a dense and malleable metal. The inclusion of these metals in the spoils shows that God is interested in all aspects of our lives, including our possessions and their symbolic meaning.
Spiritual Application:
- While this verse specifically refers to the spoils of war, we can draw a spiritual application from it. As believers, we are engaged in a spiritual battle against sin and the forces of darkness. Just as the Israelites were commanded to keep certain items from the spoils, we are called to be discerning about what we allow into our lives and what we hold on to.
- Valuable and Precious: The inclusion of gold and silver in the spoils suggests that we should value and treasure things that are of eternal worth. We should seek to acquire spiritual treasures, such as the knowledge of God’s Word, faith, love, and righteousness.
- Purification and Judgment: Brass and tin symbolize purification and judgment. We should allow God’s refining process to purify our lives, removing impurities and sinful attitudes. Additionally, we should exercise discernment and judgment in distinguishing between what is godly and what is sinful.
- Strength and Durability: Iron represents strength and durability. In our spiritual journey, we need to rely on God’s strength to overcome obstacles and persevere in faith.
- Guidance and Protection: Lead can symbolize guidance and protection. We should seek God’s guidance in our lives, allowing Him to lead and protect us as we navigate through the challenges of life.
In summary, Numbers 31:22 reminds us of the importance of obedience to God’s commands, the symbolic significance of different metals, and the spiritual application of discernment and reliance on God in our lives.
