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Then Phinehas stood up and intervened, And the plague was stopped. Psalm 106:30 NKJV
Psalm 106 recounts a particularly grievous event in the history of ancient Israel.
Between the time prophet-for-hire Balaam blessed rather than cursed the Israelites (Numbers 22-24) and the people prepared to enter their Promised Land (Numbers 26-36, God sent a plague that killed twenty-four thousand of His own. Why? Because the Israelites, while camped near a place called Shittim, got sexually involved with pagan Moabites. The immorality and idolatry infuriated God, who sent a quick and severe punishment. But even as the people mourned their losses, one Israelite brazenly led a Moabite woman into his tent. A priest named Phinehas, grandson of Aaron, followed them into the tent and ran a spear through the couple. “That one act appeased God’s anger and put an end to the death cascading through the Israelite camp” (Numbers 25:8).
It’s an awful story, all the way around—but it points to the importance of taking a stand against sin. Ask God for the wisdom to know when and how to act. And be strong in the strength that God Himself provides. Take heart and take a stand. You may help limit the consequences of sin and point others to salvation.
Prayer: Lord, it’s not easy to oppose this culture, but as much as possible I want to head off sin’s results for my fellow man. Please give me courage to take a stand.
Psalm 106 recounts a particularly grievous event in the history of ancient Israel.
Between the time prophet-for-hire Balaam blessed rather than cursed the Israelites (Numbers 22-24) and the people prepared to enter their Promised Land (Numbers 26-36, God sent a plague that killed twenty-four thousand of His own. Why? Because the Israelites, while camped near a place called Shittim, got sexually involved with pagan Moabites. The immorality and idolatry infuriated God, who sent a quick and severe punishment. But even as the people mourned their losses, one Israelite brazenly led a Moabite woman into his tent. A priest named Phinehas, grandson of Aaron, followed them into the tent and ran a spear through the couple. “That one act appeased God’s anger and put an end to the death cascading through the Israelite camp” (Numbers 25:8).
It’s an awful story, all the way around—but it points to the importance of taking a stand against sin. Ask God for the wisdom to know when and how to act. And be strong in the strength that God Himself provides. Take heart and take a stand. You may help limit the consequences of sin and point others to salvation.
Prayer: Lord, it’s not easy to oppose this culture, but as much as possible I want to head off sin’s results for my fellow man. Please give me courage to take a stand.
