The spiritual reason Numbers 31 contains literal atrocities
People will certainly ask you about problematic passages in the Word of God in the literal sense. It matters so much to have answers ready for those difficult questions that are actually loving and healthy. 1 Peter 3:15 King James Version 15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: One wishes in this spirit to "give an answer" to the problematic parts of Numbers 31 involving the slaughter of all the men, all the male children, and all the women who are not virgins. Whatever this slaughter was for the children of Israel, for all of humanity in all times and places this slaughter represents purification from sin and error. Men, women, sons, daughters, all of these express goods and truths or evils and falsehoods in various relations to each other. The clue that this chapter is about purification can be seen quite clearly in verses 23 and 24, where it ...