Of every tribe a thousand, throughout all the tribes of Israel, shall ye send to the war.
The order required one thousand men from each tribe, so the army sent against Midian was drawn from all the tribes of Israel. Its sending was obedience to God's command. That obedience excluded personal malice or revenge, for the Israelites were to go as God's instruments moved by zeal for His glory.
The expedition was sent to avenge Israel. At the same time it brought God's judgment upon Midian for its guilt. That judgment came only after the iniquity of the Midianites was full. It also served to protect Israel from a people seeking its destruction.
The order required one thousand men from each tribe, so the army sent against Midian was drawn from all the tribes of Israel. Its sending was obedience to God's command. That obedience excluded personal malice or revenge, for the Israelites were to go as God's instruments moved by zeal for His glory.
The expedition was sent to avenge Israel. At the same time it brought God's judgment upon Midian for its guilt. That judgment came only after the iniquity of the Midianites was full. It also served to protect Israel from a people seeking its destruction.