Signs of the Times, Book 1 - Ellen G. White

them to perdition.
While the victorious Israelites completely destroyed the armies of
Midian, they spared all the women and children, and brought them into the
camp as captives. When Moses ascertained this, he became alarmed and
indignant, and thus reproved the officers of the host: "Behold they caused the
children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to commit trespass against
the Lord in the matter of Peor, and there was a plague among the
congregation of the Lord." There had been a lack of thoroughness in
executing the commands of God. The war against Midian had been a just
retribution upon a guilty people, of whom the women had been the principal
criminals. Had these idolatrous, licentious women been preserved as
captives, their presence would have constantly endangered the morals of
Israel. The sympathy which would spare these transgressors was contrary to
the will of God.
There is a sympathy for sin and sinners that is dangerous to the
prosperity of the church at the present day. You must have charity is the cry.
But that sentiment that would excuse wrong and shield the guilty, is not the
charity of the Bible. The friendship of the wicked is more dangerous than
their enmity; for none can prevail against the servants of the living God,
except by tempting them to disobedience.
The offensive character of sin can be estimated only in the light of the
cross. When men urge that God is too merciful to punish the transgressors of
his law, let them look to Calvary; let them realize that it was because Christ
took upon himself the guilt of the disobedient, and suffered in the sinners
stead, that the sword of justice was awakened against the Son of God. It was
to save us from shame and everlasting contempt that he endured the scorn
and mockery which the world heaped upon him. It was our sins that caused
the Saviour of the world such intense agony, pouring darkness into his soul,
and extorting from his pale lips the anguished cry, "My God, my God, why
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