Numbers 31 contains one of the most difficult passages in the entire Old Testament. How could a holy and loving God command the destruction of the Midianites?

In this episode, Lance Smith examines the historical and biblical context behind this challenging chapter, tracing the story back to Israel's rebellion at Baal Peor in Numbers 25. Along the way, he addresses common skeptical objections, explores what respected Christian scholars have said about the passage, and explains why Scripture presents these events as a unique act of divine judgment rather than arbitrary violence.

If you've ever struggled with Numbers 31, or wondered how Christians should respond to questions about it, this episode offers a thoughtful, biblical perspective while ultimately pointing to God's justice, mercy, and redemption through Jesus Christ.

References to items discussed and/or used on this podcast may be found at the following:

buymeacoffee.com/lancesmith

The Bible Difficulties and Answers Website

The Bible Difficulties and Answers Facebook Page

Email Address: bibledifficultiesandanswers@gmail.com

1. Geisler, Norman L., and Thomas Howe. The Big Book of Bible Difficulties. Baker Books, 1992. Available at: https://a.co/d/7shn4hI
2. “Why did God command the Israelites to completely destroy the Midianites in Numbers 31:17?” GotQuestions.org. Available at: https://www.gotquestions.org/Numbers-31-17-Midianites.html
3. Guzik, David. “Numbers 31 – Vengeance on Midian.” Enduring Word Bible Commentary. Available at: https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/numbers-31/
4. “Numbers 31 Commentary.” Precept Austin (includes material from Gleason Archer). Available at: https://www.preceptaustin.org/numbers-31-commentary
5. “The Killings of Numbers 31.” Apologetics Press. Available at: https://apologeticspress.org/the-killings-of-numbers-31-763/
6. Engheta, Matthew. “Did God Command Genocide in Numbers 31?” Reasonable Apologetics (Medium). Available at: https://medium.com/reasonable-apologetics/did-god-command-genocide-in-numbers-31-984e715df861
7. “What about God’s cruelty against the Midianites?” Christian Think Tank. Available at: https://www.christian-thinktank.com/midian.html
8. Dawkins, Richard. The Root of All Evil? (Channel 4 documentary, 2006). Widely available on video platforms.
9. Hitchens, Christopher. God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything (2007); also 2007 debate with Al Sharpton.
10. Andrews, Seth. Deconverted: A Journey from Religion to Reason (2012); also content on The Thinking Atheist channel.