King Balak's first plan did not work, so he came and hit the Children of Israel in their weak spot. Look at Numbers 25:1-2:
| 1 While Israel remained at Shittim, the people began to play the harlot with the daughters of Moab. |
| 2 For they invited the people to the sacrifices of their gods, and the people ate and bowed down to their gods. |
Playing the harlot involved the Children of Israel being unfaithful to God and engaging in illicit behavior including mixing with the Moabite women as in verse 6.
The children of Israel falling into immorality led to God's judgment and over 24,000.00 people were killed by God (v. 9.).
What stopped God from killing more people?
Phinehas, one of the priest killed Zimri for bringing Cozbi, the Moabite woman to his family in the camp and into his tent right in front of Moses and the entire congregation while they were crying before God (Numbers 25:6-8).
A righteous man stood up and demonstrated a strong passion for God's interest.
| Num. 25:19-11: 10 Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, |
| 11 "Phinehas the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, has turned away My wrath from the sons of Israel in that he was jealous with My jealousy among them, so that I did not destroy the sons of Israel in My jealousy. What is God looking for in a world full of people like Zimri and Cozbi, who deliberately live in sin before God? God is looking for the righteous people who will stand and represent His interest. Righteous people who will stand and speak and obey what God said in His Word with boldness and without hesitation (obviously we cannot go around killing people as they did in the Old Testament, but we can speak out and live for God). Christians, let us refuse to get sucked into behavior that gets us into trouble with our Holy God, and let us stand for what is right. God will bless our nation as we stand for righteousness (Prov. 14:34). God Bless, Pastor Kennedy (MZO) |
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