Specifically, think about the Midianites and the Moabites. Both were thorns in the side of Israel, but according to tradition, the command to wage war against them came at the same time. So why did Moses immediately strike out against Midian, while war against Moab was delayed until the time of David?
Jewish tradition offers fascinating reasons, diving deep into the motivations and ultimate destinies of these two nations.
One explanation revolves around the very nature of their animosity. Moab's hatred, while certainly unwelcome, wasn't entirely without cause. According to the text "Legends of the Jews," the Israelites, though not directly attacking Moab, had instilled great fear through pillaging in the region. The Moabites, understandably, sought any means to protect themselves.
The Midianites, however, were a different story. They had no justifiable reason for hostility. Not only did they join forces with Moab, but they actually exceeded them in their hatred of Israel. A key distinction, says the tradition, is that Moab simply wanted to eliminate Israel, whereas Midian sought to corrupt them, to lead them into sin, which is considered a fate worse than death.
But there's an even more profound reason for the delay in punishing Moab, one that speaks to the heart of divine providence. As the text points out, the Moabite Ruth was destined to become the ancestor of David, the future king of Israel.
Think about that for a moment. The very lineage of Israel's greatest king sprang from the loins of the enemy.
"Wait yet a while in this matter of the war against the Moabites," God is believed to have said to Israel, "I have lost something valuable among them. As soon as I have found it, ye shall avenge yourselves of them."
It's a powerful image, isn't it? God, in his infinite wisdom, recognizing a future blessing hidden within a nation considered an enemy. This notion is also found in the Talmud (Sanhedrin 96b), which emphasizes the importance of waiting for the opportune moment.
So, the story teaches us more than just history. It reminds us that things aren’t always as they seem, that even in enmity, seeds of blessing can be sown, and that sometimes, the timing of justice is intertwined with a greater, more complex divine plan. Perhaps it encourages us to look beyond immediate conflicts and consider the long arc of destiny, and the potential for redemption, even in the most unlikely of places.