S) "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. 3 So Israel joined themselves to Baal of Peor, and the Lord was angry against Israel."
Numbers 25:1-3 (NASB)
O) Few things anger the LORD the way spiritual adultery does. What struck me about this particular story of Israel's infidelity, was the way it seemed to escalate. It began that the Israelites were simply accepting a friendly, neighborly invitation. They might not have had any intention to "cheat" on God. Then, when they were with the Moabites, in their temples or at their alters, and those friendly neighbors made their sacrifices, the Israelites might have considered that they didn't want to be rude. After all, the Moabites were just trying to fill a need, as their new neighbors seemed hungry. So, the Israelites ate what they were given. Then, when the spiral had completely sunk them, we see that they were drawn all the way to bowing down before the Moabite gods. So, Israel had joined themselves to Baal of Peor, and the Lord was angry against Israel.
A) To be clear, a fair amount of my commentary is conjecture. There are no details about how long this harlotry took to play out. There is no clear indication how gradual this fall was. But, it does translate pretty well into the way many other sins entreat and then entrap me. It is a cautionary tale about fidelity to my Lord, and how serious His jealousy is (24,000 people died over this idolatry). While the penalty for my sins was forever taken by Jesus, the gravity of my sins is made clear in this story. That actually highlights the magnitude of His compassion and grace, in saving me from the same fate as these Israelites. After all, in the larger narrative, I was actually more like the Moabites than the Israelites. Thankfully, I am redeemed and adopted as His own. The sacrifice of Jesus does not lessen the importance of this story, but this story puts an increased emphasis on the importance of the sacrifice of Jesus.
P) Father, I am humbled by the greatness of Your grace. You are so good to me, and I am learning that lesson more and more, as I study Your Word. Continue to impress upon me, the gravity of the sacrifice Jesus made. Open my eyes and ears, to hear Your point of view on the seriousness of my sins, especially through the stories of Your wrath displayed throughout the Bible. Discipline me to learn to fear You more. You are an awesome God, and You deserve my worship and obedience. Please forgive me for my sins, and help me remember that Your glory is at stake in everything I do. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
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