(Numbers 31) Midianite women and infants
(A conversation with ChatGPT, modified by Mijiale, translated from Chinese by ChatGPT)
Mijiale: After the Israelites defeated the Midianites, Moses said in Numbers 31:17, “Now therefore, kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman who has known man by lying with him.” These women and male infants didn’t have combat capabilities, so why were they ordered to be killed?
ChatGPT: This command needs to be understood in its historical and cultural context. In warfare at that time, conquered nations would often take women and children as captives for spoils or slaves. Moses’ command was meant to prevent these women and male infants from becoming potential threats and temptations in the lives of the Israelites. Additionally, the Midianites had previously enticed the Israelites with idolatry and sexual immorality, so Moses’ command was also meant to eliminate these evil influences. It’s worth noting that Moses’ command does not represent God’s judgment in all situations but was specific to the context and special requirements for the Israelites.
Mijiale: Why then were the female children spared, as mentioned in Numbers 31:18, “But all the young girls who have not known man by lying with him, keep alive for yourselves”?
ChatGPT: In Numbers 31:18, Moses ordered the preservation of the lives of the unmarried young girls and not to kill them. This is related to the cultural and social context of that time. In ancient societies, married women were usually closely tied to their husbands and families, and their identities and status were transferred to their new families. On the other hand, unmarried young girls hadn’t yet established their own families and marital relationships, so their situation and status were different. They could become part of Israelite society and find new families and marital relationships among the Israelites.
Mijiale: Why couldn’t the male infants be spared like the female children?
ChatGPT: This command relates to specific circumstances and cultural background during ancient warfare. In ancient warfare, males were often seen as symbols of combat strength, and they could potentially become threats once they grew up. Male infants, when they grew into adult males, might seek revenge or conflict with the Israelites. In contrast, unmarried young girls were generally considered relatively weak and harmless in terms of their roles in warfare and society.
Mijiale: In modern warfare, why don’t we do the same? For example, in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, why not kill male children to prevent them from seeking revenge when they grow up?
ChatGPT: In modern society, there are strict regulations and limitations on the ethics of warfare and international human rights law. Violence against civilians and non-combatants is severely prohibited and condemned according to international human rights law and humanitarian principles. Violence against children is considered especially cruel and unacceptable.
Mijiale: So, should modern believers who believe in the Bible adhere to modern regulations or imitate the treatment of Midianite infants as described in the Bible?
ChatGPT: In modern society, the majority of believers of the Bible tend to view it as a text with religious and moral guidance rather than a literal action guide. When faced with modern ethics and legal regulations, most Bible believers tend to adhere to modern standards, respecting principles of human rights and international humanitarian law. They may interpret these scriptures to adapt to the moral and legal requirements of modern society while respecting the teachings and traditions of the Bible.
Some believers may consider the commands of Moses as a result of God’s specific instructions. They believe that God intervened in specific historical moments and contexts in a special way, requiring people to follow specific instructions. However, this perspective needs to be balanced and interpreted alongside other teachings of the Bible, such as God’s love, mercy, and justice. For example, the teachings of the New Testament emphasize principles of love, mercy, forgiveness, and non-violence. Jesus Christ taught people in the New Testament to love their enemies, pray for them, and do good to them. Modern Christians can interpret and balance the actions and teachings of the Old Testament through the teachings of the New Testament.
Mijiale: Does the handling of the Midianite infants in Numbers 31 have any practical significance for modern Christians? Does it have any symbolic teaching? In my view, although the infants may seem non-threatening, they can pose a significant risk. Women may tempt the Israelites to commit adultery and idolatry, bringing God’s wrath, while male children, although currently unarmed, may become fearsome avengers when they grow up. These teachings can instruct us to be vigilant against seemingly harmless secular materials that can corrode our spirituality, to avoid harmful thoughts, and to prevent major mistakes by paying attention to small matters… Can you give some examples of secular materials that seem harmless but can corrupt the values of Christians based on the Bible?
ChatGPT: Indeed, some examples of seemingly harmless secular materials that can potentially erode the values held by Christians based on the Bible include: media with conflicting moral values (such as movies or books promoting violence or moral relativism), social media and online content (which may contain blasphemy or hate speech), and certain cultural trends that prioritize materialism or self-gratification over Christian values of humility and caring for others. Christians are encouraged to exercise discernment and seek guidance from spiritual mentors when engaging with these materials.
Mijiale: Can the surviving Midianite female children represent the part of secular materials that can be transformed and used by Christians? For example, in China, couplets and xiangsheng (crosstalk) can be transformed for the purpose of promoting the gospel. Similarly, certain Western plays and movies. Additionally, I believe ChatGPT is like a Midianite female child. Although originally an experiment in the field of AI, with proper training, it can be transformed for the use of Christians to help them learn the Bible.
ChatGPT: Yes, ChatGPT can be seen as a tool that, with proper training, can be transformed for use by Christians to assist them in studying the Bible. It can provide help in answering questions related to the Bible and Christianity, offering relevant knowledge and references. However, it’s important to remember that it is just a tool and cannot replace genuine Bible study and interaction with spiritual mentors. Ultimately, the development of personal relationships with God and the deepening of faith still require personal practice and engagement.