Jennifer 
Read the Daily Bible Verse – Numbers 31:20 To Strengthen Your Spiritual Journey.
The Context of Numbers 31:20 KJV
Setting the Scene in the Book of Numbers
The Book of Numbers is one of the five books of Moses. It describes the journey of the Israelites in the wilderness. It includes their struggles, disobedience, victories, and God‘s instructions to them.
By the time we reach Numbers 31, the Israelites are near the end of their wilderness journey. God commands them to take vengeance on the Midianites. This is because of the Midianite role in leading Israel into sin through idolatry and immorality in Numbers 25.
The War with Midian
Moses sends 12,000 men to fight the Midianites. They win the battle and bring back many captives, animals, and possessions. But when the soldiers return, Moses becomes upset. He rebukes the commanders for allowing the Midianite women to live. These women had caused Israel to sin in the past.
Then God gives instructions on what should be done with the people and the things that were brought back. This includes laws about purification. Numbers 31:20 is part of these instructions.
Numbers 31:20 (KJV)
“And purify all your raiment, and all that is made of skins, and all work of goats’ hair, and all things made of wood.”
This verse may seem simple, but it carries deep spiritual significance. It is not just about cleaning clothes. It is about holiness, obedience, and drawing near to God.
Numbers 31:20 Meaning
Instructions for Purification
After the battle, the Israelites had many new possessions. They had clothes, items made of animal skins, goat hair, and wooden objects. These things came from a people who were idol worshippers and had defiled Israel in the past.
God did not want His people to be defiled by these things. He commanded that everything be purified. This was a physical act, but it symbolized a spiritual truth: God’s people must be clean.
Why Purify These Things?
The items from Midian may have been used in pagan rituals. They may have been touched by the dead or by those who were unclean. Even if they looked clean on the outside, they could still carry spiritual contamination.
God wanted to make sure that nothing unholy would enter the Israelite camp. He wanted His people to be separate from sin. This shows how seriously God takes holiness.
A Broader Picture of Holiness
This verse is about more than clothes and furniture. It shows that God cares about the little things. Even the things we might not think are important—like wood or hair—can be defiled. Everything connected to His people must be holy.
It teaches us that holiness is not only about big sins. It is about the details of our lives. God wants every area of our life to be pure.
Numbers 31:20 Application in Life
1. God Desires Purity in All Things
This verse teaches us that God wants every part of our lives to be clean. Not just our hearts, but our homes, our words, our habits, and even the things we own.
Sometimes we allow things into our lives that seem harmless. But they may be connected to sin or spiritual darkness. We must examine our lives and remove anything that could harm our walk with God.
2. Be Careful What You Bring Into Your Life
The Israelites brought back items from Midian. These items had to be purified before they could be used. In the same way, we must be careful what we bring into our homes and hearts.
That includes media, entertainment, books, friendships, and attitudes. We should ask: Does this glorify God? Is this pleasing to Him? If not, we need to cleanse or remove it.
3. The Importance of Obedience
God did not say, “Purify some things.” He said to purify all the garments and objects. Obedience means doing all that God says, not just part of it.
Partial obedience is still disobedience. We should strive to follow God’s commands completely. Even when we do not fully understand why, we should trust His wisdom.
4. God is Concerned with the Physical and the Spiritual
Some people think God only cares about the heart. But here we see that God also cares about what we wear and what we use. He wants both our bodies and spirits to be pure.
This does not mean we live by legalism. It means we honor God in every part of our lives. Our outward lives should reflect our inward devotion.
5. Everything We Have Belongs to God
The Israelites had to purify the things they had taken because they now belonged to God’s people. Likewise, everything we have—our time, money, possessions—should be dedicated to God.
We should ask ourselves: Are we using our possessions for God’s glory? Do we handle them with a clean heart? Are our homes and workplaces reflections of God’s holiness?
6. Cleansing Requires Action
God did not just say to think about purity. He said to take specific steps—purify the garments, skins, goat hair, and wood. This involved real work.
In our lives, purity also takes effort. We may need to throw away certain items. We may need to stop watching certain shows. We may need to repent, confess, and seek accountability.
Spiritual growth is not passive. We must actively pursue holiness.
7. God’s Standard is High
Sometimes we think God’s standards are too high. But they are high because He is holy. He wants us to reflect His character. That means being set apart from the world.
God’s standards are not a burden. They are a blessing. They protect us and draw us closer to Him. By purifying our lives, we become more like Jesus.
8. Holiness Leads to God’s Presence
The goal of purification was not just cleanliness. It was to be ready to be in God’s presence. The Israelites were God’s holy people. To have fellowship with Him, they had to be clean.
In the same way, we are called to be temples of the Holy Spirit. We must keep our lives pure so that God can dwell in us. Holiness invites God’s presence. Sin pushes Him away.
9. Teach Others to Value Purity
Moses gave these instructions to the whole community. Everyone needed to understand the importance of purification. As believers today, we must also teach others.
Parents should teach their children. Pastors should teach their churches. Friends should encourage each other. Purity is not just a personal issue—it’s a community responsibility.
10. Jesus Makes Us Clean
In the Old Testament, purification involved washing and rituals. But in the New Testament, we are cleansed through Jesus Christ. His blood purifies us from all sin.
Still, the principle remains: we must stay clean. Jesus saves us, but we must live in a way that honors Him. That means turning from sin and walking in the light.
Conclusion
Numbers 31:20 may seem like a simple command. But it teaches us powerful truths about holiness, obedience, and the heart of God. When God told the Israelites to purify every piece of clothing and object, He was teaching them to be careful, to be clean, and to be consecrated to Him.
This verse reminds us that God wants every part of our lives to be holy. Not just our thoughts, but also our actions, possessions, and surroundings. We must be careful what we allow into our lives. We must be willing to remove what does not honor God. God is holy, and He calls us to be holy. Holiness is not a burden—it is a joy. It brings us closer to God and protects us from harm. Through Jesus, we are made clean. But we must continue to walk in purity.
Let Numbers 31:20 be a wake-up call. Look at your life. Are there things that need to be purified? Are there areas you have ignored? Bring them before God. Ask Him to cleanse you. Take action. Choose holiness. May we all live in such a way that everything we are and everything we own reflects the purity of God. Then we will be ready to walk in His presence, live in His blessing, and shine as lights in this world.
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