OOPS! (March 8)

Balak's plan failed yesterday; nonetheless, we read about progress toward his goal of Israel's demise brought about by the men of Israel's acts of sexual immorality with the Moabite women.  The Moabite women invited the men to participate in sacrifices to their gods, in worshiping Baal of Peor.

Wikipedia advises that Baal of Peor was very licentious and goes on to desribe a lack of restraining or ignoring societal standards, particularly in sexual conduct.

The Lord commanded that the leaders of these people should be taken, killed and exposed in broad daylight so the Lord's fierce anger could be turned from Israel. 

We continue to read about an Israelite man bringing a Midianite woman in front of the whole assembly of Israel while Israel was weeping in front of the Tent of Meeting.  Phinehas saw these actions, followed the Israelite into the tent and drove a spear through both of them-through the Israelite and into the woman's body.  Then the plague against the Israelties was stopped.  Phinehas' zeal for the Lord's honor resulted in the Lord turning His anger away from Israel.

So what was going on in this passage?  While many were weeping near the Tent of Meeting, an Israelite man and a Midianite woman were doing something licentious; and as a result, Phinehas was able to spear them both with a single thrust of his spear. Hmmmm...if any questions look above a few paragraphs to the definition of licentious.

"Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done"
                                   Romans 1:28-NIV


We read of God making a covenant of a lasting preisthood, because Phinehas was zealous for the honor of his God and made atonement for the Israelites.

"God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood.  He did this to demonstrate his justice , because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished."  Romans 3:25 NIV


"This cup is the new covenant in my blood which is poured out for you."  Luke 22:20 NIV


"God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood.  He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished." Romans 3:25 NIV

Thoughts:

What actions are you hiding in darkness, with hopes no one sees them? 

What would it take for you to take them to the Lord?


Pray for the Spirit to light up your life, so that you may see the blindspots in your walk.


In Christ


David P