Review & Intro: Try as he may for the pay, Balaam could not get a curse to come out of his mouth toward the Israelites. In fact, three times Balak had him stand above the people to speak out at different locations and all three times Balaam blessed them, even with the Spirit coming upon him to prophesy of the coming Messiah. Balaam does know, however, if the women from Moab entice the men to come over, they can get them to bow to their god Baal-Peor. That would bring the judgment of God upon them. Wycliffe Bible Commentary explains that spring festivals celebrated the mating of Baal of Beth-peor with the goddess of fertility. According to archaeological discoveries, prostitution was part of the worship service. If there is any doubt that Balaam is behind the immorality and idolatry of Numbers, Chapter 25 - look ahead to Numbers, Chapter 31 - as well as the 3 New Testament references from 2 Peter, Jude, and Revelation regarding Balaam that we have been referring to in past lessons. 
Numbers Chapter 25 - Observation Questions
1. What happened while Israel remained camped at Shittem (aka Abel-shittim) in the land of Moab? vs. 1
2. The Moabites "invited" the people of Israel to the "sacrifices of their gods", and what did the Israelites do there? vs. 2
3. Israel "joined themselves" to what god through this? vs. 3
4. Using a concordance, share what you learn about "Baal of Peor" ?
5. The Lord was angry with their adultery in going after Baal of Peor. (vs.3) It not only involved the worship of a false god, but there were sexual acts performed in the worship. Do you know of any Christians, personally or those on television, that have fallen into sexual immorality? Unfortunately, it is common even in the church today. Paul dealt with it in the Corinthian church as well. ... (see 1 Corinthians 5:1-8) ...The enemy knows that if he can get you involved in sexual immorality, he can also make you an idolator. People compromise their conscience and many times abandon their convictions because of the power of seduction. Comment on the following verses.
- 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8 -
- 2 Corinthians 6:14-15 -
- 2 Timothy 2:22 -
6. The people "invited" them to come to their sacrificial feasts. Oh how nice to be invited by people to share in their activities. Be careful who you accept invitations from. Hanging out with immoral people will encourage them to invite you to more things until you will blend into their rituals as if it was common place to be like that. Comment on the following verses:
- Psalm 1:1 -
- 1 Corinthians 5:9-13 -
- 1 Corinthians 15:33 -
- Galatians 6:8 -
7. The people "ate" with them. This generation had spent their entire lives eating manna in the wilderness. Can you imagine the "temptation" to eat the food that had been sacrificed to the Moabite's god? If we are not content with what the Lord has provided us, we will be tempted by the god of this world to participate in things that please the eyes and satisfy the lust of our flesh. Are we content with what we have been blessed with today? Share if you would like. .... Comment on the following verses:
- 1 John 2:16
- 1Tim. 6:6-8
- Philippians 4:11 -
- Hebrews :13:5 -
- Matthew 6:33 -
8. Back to Numbers 25. What did the Lord tell Moses to have done to all the leaders of the people and why? vs. 4
9. Moses told the judges of Israel to slay those men who had "joined" themselves to Baal of Peor. (vs.5) This was more than a casual glance or visit; these were totally involved in the sexual acts and all the perversion that went with worshiping this god. It should not surprise anyone that they will be executed for this. They need to remember what happened when they were worshiping the golden calf that Aaron made, and all the times they have been warned by God in regard to making idols or worshiping them. Comment on the following verses:
- Exodus 20:4-6 -
- Leviticus 19:4 -
- Leviticus 26:1 -
- Leviticus 26:30 -
Note: Like surgery to a cancer, extreme measures are taken to save the body and the life. it's taking the extreme measures necessary to insure the life of the rest of the body. God knows that sin spreads like yeast in the dough. When there is sin in the camp, It must be completely removed to insure the purity of the rest.
10. Next, we are told of one of the sons of Israel who blatanly marched into the camp with a Midianite woman and took her past the weeping mourners at the tent of meeting straight into the tent of his family to have sex with her. (vs.6) ... What did Aaron's grandson, the son of Eleazar, the current High Priest - named Phinehas - do? vs. 7,8 -
11. What was the result of his zealous action? vs. 9
12. How many had died of the plague the Lord had brought on them before the plague was put into check by Phinehas "taking a stand for righteousness"? vs. 9
13. We are told that the number of people that died in one day from this plague was 23,000, so another 1,000 must have died soon after that! Read the instruction we are given because of this example.
- 1 Corinthians 10:6-11 -
14. Back to Numbers 25. What did Phinehas have in common with the Lord and how did it help the sons of Israel? vs. 10,11 -
15. The apostle Paul had the Lord's jealousy for the church as well. Comment on the verse below:
- 2 Corinthians 11:2,3 -
16. Back to Numbers 25. As a result of what Phinehas did, what kind of covenant did the Lord make with him and his descendants after him? vs. 13
17. Moses lets us know who the defiant Israel man was who brought the Midianite woman into his family tent. Who was he and what tribe did he belong to? vs. 14
18. He also named the woman that brought this man down with her seduction and brazen attitude to come into the camp with him. What was her name and who was her father and his position? vs. 15
19. What did the Lord instruct Moses to do in regard to the Midianites for the way they sent their women to trick their men and deceive them into Baal of Peor worship? vs. 17,18
20. "Tolerance" is a word we hear often in our culture today. The Bible does not teach us to be "tolerant" of sin among believers. We should be merciful and compassionate, but the goal is always to help them turn from sin and back to the ways of the Lord. What did the Lord have against the church in Thyatira? Comment on this verse:
- Revelation 2:20-23 -
Note: Just as the whole church was being held accountable for their toleration of the sin of the prophetess Jezebel - the whole congregation of Israel would have been held accountable for their toleration if Phinehas had not intervened.
21. Today, we don't physically take out the people, but we do rid the church of them after the proper warnings and the time needed for them to repent, and this especially true of leadership. Comment on these verses:
- 1 Corinthians 5:1-8 -
- 1 Corinthians 5:11-13 -
- Titus 3:9-11 -
- 1 Timothy 5:19-20 -
Application:
22. Because the leader of the Moabites and the Midianites (Balak) had desired to curse God’s people rather than bless them, they brought a curse upon themselves. When they listened to the counsel of Balaam to seduce their men and bring judgment upon them through immorality and idolatry to Baal-Peor .... God commanded Moses to see to it that the Midianites were destroyed for their treachery. We will see this judgment take place in Numbers Chapter 31. Balaam is also killed with a sword in that battle. Comment on the following verse:
- Numbers 31:8 -
22. How do we know Balaam was behind the seduction of the Moabite and Midianite women to make Israel fall into sin and be judged by God? Comment on these verses.
- Numbers 31:15,16 -
- Revelation 2:14 -
23. We must guard against the sin of Balaam. A person can know about God and even speak for God, and yet not know God as their own personal Savior and Lord. I have seen deacons and leaders in churches confess that they were truly not Christians, but only acting out. I have watched people come to true repentance who had a form of religion but were not in a relationship with Jesus. Comment on the following verses:
- Matthew 7:21-23 -
- 2 Peter 1:4-11 -
- 2 Corinthians 13:5 -
24. We must guard against the sin of Israel as we are told by Paul in 1 Corinthians. If we think that we stand, we need to take heed lest we fall. Although God had taken care of all their needs, they were not content and thankful. Although the Promised Land was so very close, many of them forfeited their own entrance into the land of promise because of their own weakness, lust, and lack of judgment. They fell to the temptation of immorality and idolatry. Comment on these verses:
- Proverbs 16:18 -
- Matthew 26:41 -
- 1 Corinthians 10:12 -
- 1 Corinthians 10:13 -
- 1 Peter 5:6 -
- Galatians 6:1 -
25. The Lord knows that we are weak and can be tempted easily. He will help us in times of temptation. Do not give in to the weakness of the flesh. Cry out to the Lord and He will help you. Comment on these verses:
- 1 Corinthians 10:13 -
- Hebrews 4:16 -
- John 14:16 -
26. Are you a Phinehas, who will trust and obey the Lord, and be willing to stand for righteousness, being jealous for the Lord's sake? Of course our battle is not with flesh and blood, but against the spiritual forces in high places. Will you be a warrior for the Lord in your prayer life and your testimony?
- Ephesians 6:10-18 -
27. If it were not for the faithfulness of God, we would be hopeless. It is not our faithfulness to Him which assures us of His promises, but His faithfulness to us. No one could thwart the promises and plans the Lord has for Israel and no one can thwart the plan He has for each one of us as His children. We are in His hands. The evil one cannot touch us. Comment on the following verses.
- 1 John 5:18 -
- John 10:29 -
- 2 Timothy 2:13 -
27. Summarize the lesson and post a prayer if you would like.
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