Key Text: Numbers 25:11 (KJV)
"Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, hath turned my wrath away from the children of Israel, while he was zealous for my sake among them, that I consumed not the children of Israel in my jealousy."
Today, we're going to dive into a powerful story from the book of Numbers, chapter 25, verses 1 through 13. This passage teaches us about the importance of staying true to our faith and the consequences of turning away from God. It's a story that might make us uncomfortable, but it's one that carries a crucial message for us today.
Let's set the scene. The Israelites, God's chosen people, had been wandering in the wilderness for many years. They were on the brink of entering the Promised Land, a place flowing with milk and honey. You'd think they'd be focused on God and His goodness, right? But that's not what happened.
The Bible tells us that the people of Israel began to mingle with the Moabites. Now, you might be wondering, "What's wrong with making new friends?" Well, the problem wasn't just about friendship. The Moabites worshipped false gods, and they invited the Israelites to join in their rituals and sacrifices.
Imagine you're on a diet, and your neighbor keeps inviting you over for ice cream sundaes. It's tempting, isn't it? That's what happened to the Israelites. They were tempted by the seemingly fun and exciting practices of the Moabites. But just like how too much ice cream can harm your health, these pagan practices were spiritually harmful.
The Bible doesn't mince words. It says, "And Israel joined himself unto Baalpeor." Baalpeor was the name of a false god. The Israelites weren't just hanging out with the Moabites; they were actively participating in idol worship. They were turning their backs on the very God who had rescued them from slavery in Egypt, who had parted the Red Sea, who had provided manna from heaven.
Now, let's pause for a moment. It's easy for us to shake our heads at the Israelites. But if we're honest with ourselves, don't we sometimes do the same thing? We might not bow down to stone idols, but we often put other things before God in our lives. It could be our job, our hobbies, or even our relationships. Anything that takes God's rightful place in our hearts is an idol.
So, what happened next? God's anger was kindled against Israel. Remember, this is the God who loves us deeply, who wants the best for us. But He's also a just God who cannot ignore sin. The Bible tells us that a plague broke out among the people, and many began to die.
In the midst of this chaos, something shocking happened. An Israelite man brought a Midianite woman right into the camp, in plain sight of everyone, including Moses. This wasn't just a casual meetup; the Bible implies that they were engaging in immoral behavior. It was a blatant act of defiance against God's commands.
Enter Phinehas, the grandson of Aaron the high priest. Phinehas saw what was happening and took immediate action. He followed the couple into a tent and put an end to their sinful behavior in a very final way. It's a violent act that might make us uncomfortable, but in that moment, it stopped the plague and saved many lives.
Now, let's be clear: God is not calling us to act violently towards sinners today. Jesus taught us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. But there's still an important lesson here about zeal for God's honor and the courage to stand up for what's right, even when it's unpopular.
God commended Phinehas for his actions, saying, "Phinehas... hath turned my wrath away from the children of Israel, while he was zealous for my sake among them." God saw Phinehas's heart - a heart that was fully committed to honoring God, even in difficult circumstances.
As a result, God made a covenant of peace with Phinehas and his descendants. This wasn't just a reward for one action; it was a recognition of Phinehas's character and his commitment to God.
