Read the whole Bible in one year

Week 12, March 26, 2011:  The “Wrong” Element

This week's Reading: 03/19/25

Old Testament:  Numbers 28:16 - Deuteronomy 4:49
New Testament:  Luke 3:23 - 7:10
Psalms:  Psalm 62:1 - 68:18
Proverbs:  Proverbs 11:18 - 28

Key Bible Verses:  Numbers 31:7-18 and Luke 5:29-32

Old Testament

When the Israelites defeated the Midianite army, the military commanders killed all of the enemy men and burned their towns.  This sounds harsh, by modern standards, though common in the ancient world.  Also common was the military commanders' decision to take the women and children as slaves.  Why did Moses command that the male children and women (other than virgins) from the Midianite captives be killed?  Do you know if this order was carried out?
Numbers 31:7-18 (ESV)

[7] They warred against Midian, as the LORD commanded Moses, and killed every male. [8] They killed the kings of Midian with the rest of their slain, Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur, and Reba, the five kings of Midian. And they also killed Balaam the son of Beor with the sword. [9] And the people of Israel took captive the women of Midian and their little ones, and they took as plunder all their cattle, their flocks, and all their goods. [10] All their cities in the places where they lived, and all their  encampments, they burned with fire, [11]  and took all the spoil and all the plunder, both of man and of beast. [12] Then they brought the captives and the plunder and the spoil to Moses, and to Eleazar the priest, and to the congregation of the people of Israel, at the camp on the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho. 
[13] Moses and Eleazar the priest and all the chiefs of the congregation went to meet them outside the camp. [14] And Moses was angry with the officers of the army, the commanders of thousands and the commanders of hundreds, who had come from service in the war. [15] Moses said to them, "Have you let all the women live? [16] Behold, these, on Balaam’s advice, caused the people of Israel to act treacherously against the LORD in the incident of Peor, and so the plague came among the congregation of the LORD. [17] Now therefore, kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman who has known man by lying with him. [18] But all the young girls who have not known man by lying with him keep alive for yourselves.

New Testament

Most of us were taught as children to stay away from the “wrong crowd.”  So why was it OK for Jesus to associate with sinners.  Are Jesus' actions in this matter a blanket endorsement for us to associate with unsavory people in unsavory places?
Luke 5:29-32 (RSV)

[29] And Levi made him a great feast in his house; and there was a large company of tax collectors and others sitting at table with them.  [30] And the Pharisees and their scribes murmured against his disciples, saying, "Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?"  [31] And Jesus answered them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; [32] I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."