The offense of the Midianites had taken place during the leadership of Moses; he was now commissioned of God to punish the offenders before laying down his authority.
Afterward.
God had previously spoken to Moses of his impending death (ch. 27:12, 13). In addition to the campaign against the Midianites, there remained the duty of passing on directions concerning the conquest of the land of Canaan (chs. 32 and 34), and making provision for the Levites (ch. 35:1-8).