1. Temptation and seduction
Numbers 25

2. Temptation and seduction
BACKGROUND
Numbers is an account of the time between the Exodus and the entry into the Promised Land
The people of God are on the move, led by Him
They are encamped in Moabite territory
We have seen in the previous 3 chapters that God is blessing the Israelites
This chapter is the last that concentrates on the fate of the generation who came out of Egypt

3. Temptation and seduction
The seduction of Israel
While God is blessing Israel, in the background the enemy is at work
In chapter 31:16 we find out who was behind what happens in chapter 25 – it is Balaam
Balaam couldn’t curse those whom God had blessed but he could still do Balak’s work through temptation
The enemy has many schemes to destroy God’s people

4. Temptation and seduction
What did they do?
They committed sexual immorality with the women of Moab (1)
They participated in the sacrifices to foreign gods (2)
They became “joined” to Baal of Peor
Echoes of the Golden Calf episode much earlier in the Exodus

5. Temptation and seduction
What did God do?
Their actions aroused God to anger
He commanded Moses to hang the offenders as a public demonstration of the punishment of their sin (4)
The executions were to be carried out by the tribal judges (5)
A plague breaks out but the actions of one man (Phinehas) turned aside the wrath of God (11)

6. Temptation and seduction
The righteousness of Phinehas
Phinehas was a grandson of Aaron, he was a priest
A man brazenly paraded his sin before Moses and the people who were weeping at the Tabernacle(6)
The man was called Zimri, a Simeonite (14) and the woman was a Midianite called Cozbi (15) – both were children of leaders within their houses
Phinehas kills both of them (8) and the plague was stopped
God commends him and his descendants

7. Temptation and seduction
God’s instructions to Moses (16 – 18)
Harass and destroy the Midianites
This is a consequence of them seducing the Israelite men to follow the Baal of Peor
The Israelite attack on Midian will be recorded in chapter 31
This will be one of Moses’ last acts before he dies

8. Temptation and seduction
LESSONS FOR TODAY
God takes sin seriously and so must we
The enemy will use any tactic he can to attack God’s people
Be careful what outside influences we take on board – our appetite for self-destruction can be strong
Idolatry and sexual immorality are dangerous and destructive enemies of God’s people
God has promised us blessing and victory but we are not immune to temptation – there is a battle to be won
We need a Saviour who will turn aside God’s wrath – Jesus!