It's a story of justice, regret, and ultimately, a final act of redemption for Moses.

Remember Balaam, the non-Jewish prophet hired to curse Israel, who instead ended up blessing them? Well, one of his prophecies was, "He shall not lie down until he eat of the prey, and drink the blood of the slain." According to the narrative, this prophecy found its fulfillment very quickly. Shortly before Moses' death, before he could "lie down to everlasting sleep," he was granted the bittersweet reward of witnessing the defeat of Balaam and the five Midianite kings who were allied with him.

Why bittersweet? Because the sin that brought this conflict about was a deep wound to Moses' heart. The "sinful profanation at Shittim," as it's called – Israel's transgression involving idolatry and immorality with the daughters of Moab and Midian – it was all orchestrated by Balaam's wicked advice. It's a dark chapter, a painful reminder of human frailty.

Now, think about Moses for a moment. This wasn’t just any leader. As we learn, God had appointed Moses as lord of the angels! They parted fire and cloud for him, rising from their celestial seats in respect. He commanded the sea, cleaving it and restoring it at his will. He even wielded the "treasures of hail," unleashing them upon the Egyptians. He had power over angels and the very forces of nature!

And yet, this same Moses, this powerful figure, could only weep when his people succumbed to temptation. He was devastated when Israel "committed whoredom with the daughters of Moab and Midian." It’s a powerful image: even immense power is no match for the pain of seeing your people stray.

So, to comfort Moses, God makes a promise: "As truly as thou livest, thou shalt not depart out of this world until thou shalt have avenged those who tempted Israel to sin. 'Avenge the children of Israel of the Midianites: afterward shalt thou be gathered unto thy people.'" This is a crucial moment. It's not just about revenge; it's about restoring justice and allowing Moses to find peace before his death.

But there's also a rebuke. God reminds Moses of his earlier despair and lack of action at Shittim. He asks, in essence, "You stood strong against the entire people, save Levi, after the Golden Calf incident. Why did you hesitate at Shittim when only the tribe of Simeon was against you?" It’s a challenge, a reminder of Moses’ own strength and a gentle scolding for his moment of weakness.

Receiving the command to wage war, Moses hesitates again! We find this in the text. He reminds God, "Yesterday didst Thou say to me, 'Vex not Moab,' and now Thou sayest, 'Avenge the children of Israel.'" There seems to be a contradiction!

God clarifies: "When I said, 'Vex not Moab,' I named these people after their grandsire, the son of Lot, but now through their own fault they have lost the claim to kind treatment from Israel." Essentially, God is saying that while kinship once offered protection, their own actions have forfeited it. "I shall no longer think of their grandsire Abraham's kinsman, but shall call them Midianim, 'they that lost their claim.'" The name itself becomes a symbol of their transgression, a mark of their forfeited privilege.

What does this all mean? It suggests that even divine commands aren’t always straightforward. They are contextual, evolving with the actions of humanity. And it highlights the heavy burden of leadership. Moses, despite his power, is still human, wrestling with doubt and struggling to reconcile divine directives with his own understanding of justice and mercy. Ultimately, this story reminds us that even the greatest leaders face moments of doubt and regret, but it's their willingness to confront those feelings and act justly that defines their legacy.