Números 25

Números 25

Henry - The friendship of the wicked is more dangerous than their enmity; for none can prevail against God's people if they are not overcome by their inbred lusts; nor can any enchantment hurt them, but the enticements of worldly interests and pleasures. Here is the sin of Israel, to which they are enticed by the daughters of Moab and Midian. Those are our worst enemies who draw us to sin, for that is the greatest mischief any man can do us. Israel's sin did that which all Balaam's enchantments could not do; it set God against them. Diseases are the fruits of God's anger, and the just punishments of prevailing sins; one infection follows the other. Ringleaders in sin ought to be made examples of justice. Remained (03427)(yashab) which means to dwell, remain, sit/sit down, abide, to stay, to have one’s abode. Yashab is even translated married (6 times) in the OT which gives us a sense of the meaning of yashab and the danger in which Israel had placed itself! As discussed below this verb is not the same verb as to ''camp'' which is what they should have been doing! The verb camped (02583) (chanah) is used repeatedly of Israel setting up camp in their wilderness journey, but the Holy Spirit does not use that word in this passage which their last stop before crossing into the Promised Land! Instead He choose yashab and not the verb chanah which means to pitch a tent, which is quite different than abiding or tarrying as implicit in yashab! Israel should have ''camped'' in Nu 25:1 instead of remaining or tarrying! THOUGHT - Beloved of God (1Th 1:4+), during our relatively short time of stay on this earth (1 Pe 1:17+) we are aliens and strangers and while we now "camp" like sojourners, we are not to "dwell" as if we were permanent residents (Php 3:20-21+). Peter picks up on this metaphor writing "Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain (apechomai in present tense) from fleshly lusts (epithumia) which wage war (strateuomai in present tense) against the soul." (1 Peter 2:11+) The point is that we need to remember our privileged position is that we are temporary sojourners and enabled by the Holy Spirit (Php 2:13NLT+, Eph 5:18+, Gal 5:16+) and guided by the Holy Word, we must diligently practice our position ("work out our salvation" Php 2:12+) by continually making the choice to abstain, to create some space, to push away from, to separate from those strong, enticing, ensnaring fleshly lusts which continually bombard our hearts and minds and continually wage a strategic struggle against our souls. Hosea 9:10 comments on this deadly detour at Shittim... I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness; I saw your forefathers as the earliest fruit on the fig tree in its first season. But they came to Baal-peor and devoted (Hebrew nazar = devoted, consecrated, separated cp Nazarite) themselves to shame, and they became as detestable (Heb = shiqquts; Lxx = bdelusso from bdéo = stink or reek = to become abominable) as that which they loved. Comment - Note the verb "loved" which is translated in the Septuagint with agapao which speaks especially of love as based on evaluation and choice, a matter of will and action! Furthermore, agapao is in the perfect tense which speaks of past completed action with ongoing results and so speaks of the abiding nature of their love! Woe! Deliver us O Lord from this seductive snare. Amen. (Read and memorize the warning command in 1 John 2:15-17+) At Shittim - Shittim (SEE MAP ABOVE) was immediately east of the Jordan River adjacent to Jericho and was where Israel camped before crossing the river. This was the last stop before Israel crossed the Jordan (Joshua 2:1). See map which shows the Plains of Moab next to Shittim. THOUGHT - So close but yet so far! As I ponder Israel's fatal departure from the Holy One to yoke themselves instead to the unholy "god" Baal of Peor (see 1 Cor 10:20-21 for who is behind Baal of Peor = DEMONS!), it reminds me of how we must NEVER let our guard down as followers of Jesus. Here they were about to receive the bountiful blessings of God in the promised land and instead, they turned to the fetid fertility rites (probably) of the debased Midianites. ALL OF US are but one step away from "taking a detour at Shittim!" These OT stories were recorded to edify, equip and warn us even as Paul used this story to warn the saints at Corinth... Nevertheless, with most of them (speaking of Israel wandering for 40 years in the desert) God was not well-pleased; for they were laid low in the wilderness. 6 Now these things happened as examples for us, that we should not crave evil things, as they also craved. 7 And do not be idolaters as some of them were; as it is written, "THE PEOPLE SAT DOWN TO EAT AND DRINK, AND STOOD UP TO PLAY." 8 Nor let us act immorally, as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in one day (NOTE 24,000 IN NUMBERS DOES NOT SAY "ONE DAY"). (1 Cor 10:5-8) The psalmist records this story in Ps 106:28+: They joined themselves also to Baal-peor, And ate sacrifices offered to the dead.29 Thus they provoked Him to anger with their deeds; And the plague broke out among them. 30 Then Phinehas stood up and interposed; And so the plague was stayed. 31 And it was reckoned to him for righteousness, To all generations forever.