1. Gleanings from the Pentateuch Balaam’s Revenge: Apostasy at Peor Numbers 25

2. Kadesh Barnea E d o m Moab Bashan Ammorites Ammon CANAAN Jericho Zered Arnon Jabbok Mt Hor

3. Apostasy at Peor 1. Israel’s Sin Immorality – with the cult prostitutes of Moab/Midian Idolatry – “joined themselves to Baal” This is a precursor to Israel’s ultimate downfall as a nation through idolatry

4. Apostasy at Peor 2. God’s Response God sent a deadly plague among the people God commanded Moses to execute the leaders and publicly expose their corpses in order to turn way His anger  “He was angry” – His “jealous” wrath

5. Apostasy at Peor 3. Phinehas’ Intervention Through his decisive action, which displayed God’s jealousy, he turned away God’s anger God in turn established the priesthood of Phinehas perpetually

6. Apostasy at Peor 4. Balaam’s Trickery The affair at Peor was a deliberate seduction and deception by the Midianites This was done through the counsel of Balaam (Numbers 31:16; Revelation 2:14) “Balaam’s revenge” is short-lived – he is destroyed and God’s promise/blessing continues

7. Apostasy at Peor Application 1. The character of God His “anger” – perfect hatred of sin/idolatry, which issues forth in His judgment His mercy – provision for the vindication of His righteousness that “turns away” His wrath Phinehas is a type of Jesus, our High Priest

8. Apostasy at Peor Application 2. Personal Exhortation Flee immorality – it is a gateway to idolatry Flee idolatry – as those belonging exclusively to God Imitate Phinehas – a jealousy for God’s name