How many times will the Israelites disobey and challenge God? How many times will I disobey and challenge God? In Numbers 25 Israel again disobeys God. They played the harlot with the daughters of Moab. God called on the people to be set apart and not give into the pagan and sinful ways of the surrounding people. It is all too easy for out lustful desires to turn into outright idol worship. God’s anger was again kindled against the people and all the men who joined themselves in worshiping Baal would be put to death. I love the contrast that we see in how Phinehas the son of Eleazar saw a man an woman openly sinning in front of the Tabernacle. He took a spear and killed them both and in doing so he turned God’s wrath away. When I am faced with sinful desires in my own life do I eagerly attack it or instead do I sit and attempt to reason with sin? It is more difficult to stand apart from the sinful ways of society but God will notice when you make a stand for Him just as He noticed Phinehas and gave him a covenant of peace for him and his descendants. Continue Reading…