Numbers. In our modern culture and current level of civilization, we can't imagine a scenario in which married women and boys must be slaughtered. When I tell you that it was far more normal for them to do it, I am not saying that it was right. There are still parts of the world where human life has far less value than it does for us. In today's reading, the women had been among ones who took Balaam's advice and led the Israelite men astray into sexual promiscuity. The boys would grow up to seek revenge for their families. Therefore, it was required that they be destroyed.
After forty years together in the wilderness, this new generation of tribal leaders had some of their own thoughts about their future. God had promised them the land across the Jordan River. 2 1/2 tribes decided that they liked land east of the river better. It seemed so logical. They would get settled, then cross with their brothers and help them fight for the Land. God allowed it and so did Moses. Many generations later, their land was some of the first to be overrun by enemies.
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