Observations and Interpretations:
(1) About the sin of immorality and idolatry
(BKC) Though Balaam had been unsuccessful in cursing the people of Israel, he evidently managed to play a role in their seduction by the Baal cult at Peor (cf. 31:16; Rev. 2:14)...Israelite men engaged in sexual immorality with Moabite women. This was an integral part of the Canaanite fertility rites (cf. Deut. 23:17–18; 1 Kings 14:22–24) and was practiced in connection with the regular services of their temples (Num. 25:2).
(NET) This was a blatant disregard of the covenant and the Law. If something were not done, the nation would have destroyed itself.v.3, "When Israel joined themselves to Baal Peor, the anger of the LORD flared up against Israel."
v.5, "So Moses said to the judges of Israel, “Each of you must execute those of his men who were joined to Baal Peor.”
(2) About Phinehas
(NET) Phinehas saw all this as part of the pagan sexual ritual that was defiling the camp. He had seen that the LORD himself had had the guilty put to death. And there was already some plague breaking out in the camp that had to be stopped. And so in his zeal he dramatically put an end to this incident, that served to stop the rest and end the plague.
The LORD praised Phinehas for his zeal v.11,13. His zeal was parallel to God's zeal v.11.
(NET) The word “zeal” means a passionate intensity to protect or preserve divine or social institutions...a passionate determination to defend God's rights and what is right about the covenant and the community
The point is that sin was punished by death, and so God was free to end the plague and pardon the people. God’s holiness and righteousness have always been every bit as important as God’s mercy and compassion, for without righteousness and holiness mercy and compassion mean nothing.
(3) The purpose of the census was to divide the land to them 26:53 before they came to the Promised land. Even the wars were not finished and Israelites had not occupy the Promised Land God saw that as a fact that they would eventually occupy the land.
(3) The purpose of the census was to divide the land to them 26:53 before they came to the Promised land. Even the wars were not finished and Israelites had not occupy the Promised Land God saw that as a fact that they would eventually occupy the land.
However, Scriptures also reminded us that those who were counted 40 years ago were all dead v.64-65. They were all the unbelievers. In addition, the rebels, Korah and his company, died v.10, and the contempt priests died when they offered strange fire died v.61.
Applications: God is like a faithful husband who has protected his wife and no one can curse Israel. However, the wife committed idolatry with another man and brought him in front of God. When we sin God was emotional involved. His jealousy and anger was real and fierce. Deaths were seen more than 1 time in the journey of Israel. The wrath of God is real.
How do we see our relationship with God? Do we care about God when we sin? Is the penalty of sins vivid before our eyes?
Audrey
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