“And the beeves were thirty and six thousand; of which the LORD’S tribute was threescore and twelve.”
Context: The book of Numbers is primarily concerned with the wilderness journey of the Israelites after their deliverance from Egypt. In Numbers 31, the Israelites are at war with the Midianites under the command of Moses. They are executing God’s judgment upon the Midianites for their involvement in leading the Israelites into idolatry and sexual immorality.
The spoils of war: In this verse, the focus is on the spoils of war, specifically the number of cattle captured. The term “beeves” refers to oxen or cattle. The Israelites took a total of 36,000 cattle from the Midianites.
The Lord’s tribute: The verse also mentions the Lord’s tribute or portion of the spoils. Out of the 36,000 cattle, the Lord’s tribute was 72 (threescore and twelve). This portion of the spoils was dedicated to the Lord as an offering.
Significance of the tribute: The Lord’s tribute was a way for the Israelites to acknowledge God’s provision and give Him thanks for the victory in battle. It also demonstrated their obedience to God’s command to consecrate a portion of their possessions to Him.
Symbolism: The number 72 has symbolic significance in biblical numerology. In some cases, it represents completeness or perfection. It can also be seen as the combination of the numbers 7 and 10, which individually represent divine perfection and human completeness, respectively.
Application: While this verse specifically relates to an event in the history of Israel, there are a few principles we can draw from it:
- Gratitude and acknowledgment: Like the Israelites, we should acknowledge God’s provision and give thanks for His blessings in our lives.
- Obedience and consecration: Just as the Israelites dedicated a portion of their spoils to the Lord, we should dedicate our time, talents, and resources to God’s service and honor.
- Trusting God in battles: The Israelites were victorious in battle because they followed God’s command. We can learn to trust God and seek His guidance in our own battles and challenges.
Remember to study the Bible as a whole and seek further insights from other relevant passages, commentaries, and resources to gain a deeper understanding of God’s Word.
