Pastor’s Bible Reading Schedule:
Numbers 25-27
The Lord protected Israel from direct attack from Moab by stopping Balaam from cursing them. But they could not resist the sordid influence of the heathen nation. While at Shittim, the Israelite men began to indulge in immorality with Moabite women. These women brought the men to their idolatrous sacrifices, and Israel soon bowed before them. Israel sacrificed to Baal of Peor, a fertility god who was respected by means of the most sensuous, orgiastic practices known to humanity. Moab’s local Baal was Chemosh to whom they offered their worship in all kinds of reckless expressions. History informs us of the close connection between sexual immorality and false religion. Moab’s seduction of Israel was probably a strategic ploy by the persistent Balak, who was not a quitter. Balaam, now out of favor with Balak but no doubt eyeing the rewards the king dangled before his eyes, advised Moab about how to go about this. This idolatry incited the Lord to anger, which burned against the Israelites.
The Lord told Moses to destroy all the leaders who engaged in this practice and to expose them in broad daylight. Moses told the leaders, who should have policed their comrades better, to put them to death and publicly expose them.
Then an Israelite man took a Midianite woman into his tent as Moses and Israel looked on. Such arrogance and disregard for law and the tragic consequences of Israel’s failure drew an immediate response from Phinehas son of Eleazar. He followed the Israelite man into his tent and drove a spear through both of them. The man and his companion died, and the Lord stopped a plague that had broken out among the violators. The plague, of unknown character, killed 24,000 of the Israelites.
The Lord commended Phinehas for his speedy action in killing the offending party and staying the plague. He enacted with Phinehas his covenant of peace that assured his descendants a lasting priesthood. Indeed, the high priesthood passed from Eleazar to Phinehas except for a brief time in the days of Eli.
The Lord showed no mercy toward the Midianite nation and commanded Moses to oppose them to the death. At times the Lord does inflict justice on the enemies of God’s people. Yet God alone reserves the right to pay back those who stray.
Prayer Requests:
Personal
- Lord, please help me to stand against the culture and be a testimony of holiness.
- Lord, please help me to be a separatist that stands graciously but firmly.
- Lord, please help me to trust you to defend your people.
Political
- US Representative Tim Walberg – District 7 – Tipton
- Representative Rebekah Warren – District 55 – Ann Arbor
- Representative Michael Webber – District 45 – Rochester Hills