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Israel and Idolatry: Numbers 25-26
As Israel was located on the borders of Moab, the people began to “play the harlot with the daughters of Moab” (Numbers 25-26) They offered sacrifices and bowed down to the gods of Moab (Baal). Because of this God had the leaders who engaged in this slain out in the open.
While the people wept over this at the tabernacle, one of the Israelites brought a Midianite woman to his brothers, in the sight of the people. Phinehas, a priest of Aaron’s family, saw this, and took a spear and went after them. He pierced the man and woman through both of their bodies, and “the plague on the sons of Israel was checked.” 24,000 died because of the sins of the people on this occasion.
Idolatry (and all that is associated with it) is the one problem that the children of Israel allowed to plague them through their history until the time of captivity. After they entered the promised land, they did not completely drive out the idolatrous people around them, and so it becamse a terrible thorn in their side. They should have learned their lessons early on from Egypt and here with Moab. But the following generations would still “play the harlot” with the false gods of other nations.
Though most of us would not think of literally bowing down to some idolatrous image, it is still possible that we can be guilty of idolatry. You see, idolatry is practiced in principle when one puts other things before God. The apostle Paul calls “greed” or covetousness idolatry (Colossians 3:5). If we desire something else above God, then we are guilty. Thus, the warning to flee from idolatry is very appropriate for all times (1 John 5:21).
Discussion
1. What does it mean when it says that Israel “played the harlot”? Why is that an appropriate figure for what they did?
2. Locate Moab and Midian on your maps. How were the two nations related? Why are they mentioned in the same context in Numbers?
3. Who was Phinehas? How did he help remove the plague from Israel?
4. Define and discuss idolatry. In what forms is it practiced? How can we be guilty of it today?