A FINAL WAR 1) The last thing that Moses did before he ascended Mount Abarim was to wage war against the Medianites who had seduced his people and caused them to fall into evil ways [25]. This looks as if all the testament can do is to urge fighting evil without offering positive goodness and grace. Indeed this war carries a symbol of removing the obstacle (Luke 17:2). 2) Not many men took part in this war. Each tribe sent out a mere one thousand (the number symbolies heaven) denoting that we need to fight throughout our heavholy life (Eph 6:14; Ps. 27:3). All got together as a sign of the spirit of love and parternership. That is why there is no mention of the military and weapons. The only mention is of leadership and the Zeal of Phinehas with the holy instruments and trumpets [7] that was aimed at every male, i.e. at evil thoughts. 3) The killing of the five kings points at the crucifxion of the five senses to guard against evil thoughts. The names of the five kings were: - Evi meaning "a wild animal" = evil and wild desires. - Rekem "clouring or striping" which denotes deceit and flattery to entrap the soul. - Zur meaning "rock" = the stone heart (Exod. 36:26). - Hur might mean either "Horus" or an Ackadian name meaning "child" = aimless life not a serious one. - Reba four denoting the four cardinal points of the compass = ties of the heart to the earthly matters. 4) The spoils of war bear a symbolic side denoting the spiritually victorious human being. He enslaves the body (i.e. women), his deeds (the children)and his energies (the beasts) to win the kingdom of God. The burning of cities and forts denotes the destruction of the roots of sin in man's heart. Bringing all the spoils to Moses and Eleazar at the camp near Jordan signifies sanctifying all we have during the efficacy of baptism [13-20]. 5) The killing of sinful women [13-20] denotes the elimination of all causes leading to sin. 6) Purification of metals and clothing [21-24]: denotes our need to be purified by blood (Rev 7:14), through the performance of God's fiery Spirit. It is a wonder that those fighters we considered impure remained defiled until they underment purification before they could enter the camp. This indicates that God wanted to stress the fact that no man is invulnerable to sin no matter what heights his spiritual stature reaches or his spiritual endeavor for that matter. https://coptic-treasures.com/ 46 7) Dividing the Spoils [25-54]: the fighters were given more than double the share of non-fighters (John 14:2; 1 Cor. 15-14); which is a gift from God. Nevertheless everyone was commited to pay tribute to God [28]. Gold wholly given away to the Tabernacle because whatever is heavenly must always be there where God abides.
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