Chapter 133 of 1163

Numbers 25–26

Balaam could not destroy Israel with his curses, but he could defile Israel with his counsel. He seduced the Jews into disobeying God by suggesting that Balak invite Israel to the religious feasts of the Moabites (31:16). There the Jews quickly fell into sin.

Moses had commanded the people to separate themselves from the nations around them and to avoid their abominable religious practices (Exod. 34:10–17). Israel abandoned its special position (Num. 23:9) and compromised with sin. The result? Twenty-four thousand Jews died from a plague God sent to the camp.

It was not Moses, the leader, or Eleazer, the high priest, who stopped the plague, but Phinehas, the son of Eleazer. His devotion to the Lord brought him a special commendation and reward from the Lord. (See Ps. 106:28–31.)

God’s people must beware compromising with the enemy (2 Cor. 6:14–18). If Satan does not succeed as the devouring lion (1 Pet. 5:8), he will come as the deceiving serpent (2 Cor. 11:3).

The taking of the second census was a sign that the nation’s wanderings were soon to end. Note the people in this list who are given special attention: Dathan and Abiram, who rebelled against the Lord (26:9–11); Nadab and Abihu, who defied the Lord (26:61); and Joshua and Caleb, who believed the Lord (26:65).

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