Sins of Balaam
Num 25:1 And Israel abode in Shittim, and the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab.
Num 25:2 And they called the people unto the sacrifices of their gods: and the people did eat, and bowed down to their gods.
Num 25:3 And Israel joined himself unto Baalpeor: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel.
What had happened? All the prophecies of Baal were of God blessing his people. Now they are disobeying him, first in taking the daughters of Moab and then in following their strange gods. This does not please God who made a covenant of blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience. This was the old covenant. Their fathers had disobeyed, having no faith. Now the children are disobeying. How could this people be so enticed to follow a pagan fertility god?
Num 25:4 And the LORD said unto Moses, Take all the heads of the people, and hang them up before the LORD against the sun, that the fierce anger of the LORD may be turned away from Israel.
Num 25:5 And Moses said unto the judges of Israel, Slay ye every one his men that were joined unto Baalpeor.
God's anger came down on these who chose evil.
Num 25:6 And, behold, one of the children of Israel came and brought unto his brethren a Midianitish woman in the sight of Moses, and in the sight of all the congregation of the children of Israel, who were weeping before the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
Num 25:7 And when Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, saw it, he rose up from among the congregation, and took a javelin in his hand;
Num 25:8 And he went after the man of Israel into the tent, and thrust both of them through, the man of Israel, and the woman through her belly. So the plague was stayed from the children of Israel.
The high priest made his stand for righteousness. He was directed by God. Some say wars are not of God, we should never kill. There are times when we must kill in the name of righteousness. This was such a time. We are not to act apart from God, killing abortion doctors and such as that. But at this time, under the law, every sin was judged, this was the covenant with Israel. We are under the new covenant of grace and forgiveness.
Num 25:9 And those that died in the plague were twenty and four thousand.
What had happened? The flesh was enticed, and because of the closeness they were seeking the gods of these foreign women and losing the blessings of God. Was Balaam somehow responsible for this? We must look ahead for the answer.
Num 31:16 Behold, these caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to commit trespass against the LORD in the matter of Peor, and there was a plague among the congregation of the LORD.
Balaam gave counsel to the enemy, that by their women they could defeat the hearts of Israel. Will we turn aside from the plan God has for us? The covenant with our Lord Jesus Christ, to seek the lusts of the flesh? Will we forsake the God of Israel and serve other gods and goddesses? Will we turn to idols? This was the counsel of Balaam, prophet for hire. Is the anointing of God that you have been given for sale? Will you sell out for money and power? This is the sin of Balaam.
Everlasting Priests
Num 25:10 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
Num 25:11 Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, hath turned my wrath away from the children of Israel, while he was zealous for my sake among them, that I consumed not the children of Israel in my jealousy.
God commends Phinehas, grandson of Aaron, because he was zealous after righteousness in putting away sin and judging it. This kept back the wrath of God from consuming more of the children of Israel. Is God a jealous God?
Exo 20:4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:
Exo 20:5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;
Exo 20:6 And showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.
Phinehas was zealous to defend God's commands.
Num 25:12 Wherefore say, Behold, I give unto him my covenant of peace:
Psa 37:37 Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace.
Psa 37:38 But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off.
Num 25:13 And he shall have it, and his seed after him, even the covenant of an everlasting priesthood; because he was zealous for his God, and made an atonement for the children of Israel.
In this he was as a type of Christ who was zealous for righteousness and who made an atonement for sin.
John 2:13 And the Jews' passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem,
John 2:14 And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting:
John 2:15 And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables;
John 2:16 And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise.
John 2:17 And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up.
Was Jesus after the priesthood of Aaron? No, he was after Melchisedec. The priest who had no known beginning or end.
Heb 5:8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;
Heb 5:9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;
Heb 5:10 Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.
Then what is the everlasting Aaronic priesthood? Perhaps it is the redeemed of Israel who have received their Messiah, Jesus? Some questions may not be answered completely until we are with Jesus. This is how I see from the scriptures;
Isa 61:6 But ye shall be named the Priests of the LORD: men shall call you the Ministers of our God: ye shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves.
Isa 66:21 And I will also take of them for priests and for Levites, saith the LORD.
Isa 66:22 For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the LORD, so shall your seed and your name remain.
Isa 66:23 And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the LORD.
Isa 66:24 And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh.
The Aaronic priesthood was founded on the covenant with Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, an everlasting priesthood of those who had an earthly beginning, but no spiritual end. Everlasting priests in the Lords kingdom.
1 Pet 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
1 Pet 2:10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
Rev 1:5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
Rev 1:6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
Was it being connected to Aaron that God liked? No, Aaron often sinned, making the golden calf, rebelling, etc. So what did God like? It was the zealousness for righteousness that Phinehas portrayed. Are we zealous for the things of God? Righteousness is not inherited, it is by individuals receiving the Lord Jesus Christ as their savior and living for him with zeal and commitment.
Census
Num 26:51 These were the numbered of the children of Israel, six hundred thousand and a thousand seven hundred and thirty.
This was the second census. The first included the older generation who mostly died in the wilderness. Women and children were not included
Num 26:52 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
Num 26:53 Unto these the land shall be divided for an inheritance according to the number of names.
Num 26:54 To many thou shalt give the more inheritance, and to few thou shalt give the less inheritance: to every one shall his inheritance be given according to those that were numbered of him.
The LORD was fair in dividing the land portions according to the numbers.
Num 26:55 Notwithstanding the land shall be divided by lot: according to the names of the tribes of their fathers they shall inherit.
We know a lot is a parcel of land. But, this lot referred to stones used in making a decision, much as the throwing of dice. The LORD must have been in this practice. Today we call it luck. The soldiers cast lots for the Lord's garments.
Mat 27:35 And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots.
Peter chose the apostle to succeed Judas by lots. The Holy Spirit chose Saul of Tarsus, who became Paul the apostle. We do not use chance things to make decisions, tossing a coin, opening a Bible at random and reading a verse. It could be used by God, but God speaks to us today through Jesus, the word and the Spirit.
Num 26:56 According to the lot shall the possession thereof be divided between many and few.
The lot determined which land went to what tribe. The Levites had no inheritance of land because God was their inheritance. By faith the lots were thrown and the land divided, even before they had captured the land from the inhabitants. This generation had faith.
Joshua Chosen
Num 26:63 These are they that were numbered by Moses and Eleazar the priest, who numbered the children of Israel in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho.
Num 26:64 But among these there was not a man of them whom Moses and Aaron the priest numbered, when they numbered the children of Israel in the wilderness of Sinai.
Num 26:65 For the LORD had said of them, They shall surely die in the wilderness. And there was not left a man of them, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun.
As the LORD had promised, all the older generation above twenty years of age would not inherit the promise land They had died in the wilderness. Only faithful Joshua and Caleb remained of the older generation. Aaron had died and now it was near the end for Moses.
Num 27:12 And the LORD said unto Moses, Get thee up into this mount Abarim, and see the land which I have given unto the children of Israel.
Num 27:13 And when thou hast seen it, thou also shalt be gathered unto thy people, as Aaron thy brother was gathered.
Moses was allowed to glimpse at the promise land and then he would die.
The book of Hebrews describes men of faith in the Old Testament
Heb 11:13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
Heb 11:14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.
Heb 11:15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.
Heb 11:16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.
Moses' sin
Num 27:14 For ye rebelled against my commandment in the desert of Zin, in the strife of the congregation, to sanctify me at the water before their eyes: that is the water of Meribah in Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin.
Num 20:8 Take the rod, and gather thou the assembly together, thou, and Aaron thy brother, and speak ye unto the rock before their eyes; and it shall give forth his water, and thou shalt bring forth to them water out of the rock: so thou shalt give the congregation and their beasts drink.
He struck the rock, instead of speaking to it. Jesus the rock was stricken once, after this we speak to him our requests. Moses was punished for disobeying God in this important metaphor.
Num 27:15 And Moses spake unto the LORD, saying,
Num 27:16 Let the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, set a man over the congregation,
Num 27:17 Which may go out before them, and which may go in before them, and which may lead them out, and which may bring them in; that the congregation of the LORD be not as sheep which have no shepherd.
Moses, unlike this generation, made no excuse, he did not protest that he was a victim, or that God was unfair. As a true Shepherd he was concerned for the sheep, God's people Israel. Who would lead them, so that they would not scatter? he LORD is in charge of His sheep. He called Moses, now he would call another to serve.
Num 27:18 And the LORD said unto Moses, Take thee Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit, and lay thine hand upon him;
Lay thy hand on him, bless him and impart your anointing on him. Joshua had been faithful and God had put His Spirit upon him. Joshua was chosen to lead the people into the promise land.
Hands upon Him
Num 27:19 And set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation; and give him a charge in their sight.,
Num 27:20 And thou shalt put some of thine honour upon him, that all the congregation of the children of Israel may be obedient.
A charge, transferring power and authority from one of greater power to another, so that they may achieve their calling or responsibility. In one respect it is as we receive the Holy Spirit for a gifting in ministry. Moses was to put some of his honor on him, the glory given him of the Lord.
Num 27:21 And he shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall ask counsel for him after the judgment of Urim before the LORD: at his word shall they go out, and at his word they shall come in, both he, and all the children of Israel with him, even all the congregation.
Joshua would ask counsel through the High Priest. They were together, as Moses and Aaron were together. Urim "lights" would be used by the high Priest, this was the casting of lots. Jesus is the light of God that we seek now, no throwing of lots now, to seek his will.
Num 27:22 And Moses did as the LORD commanded him: and he took Joshua, and set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation:
Num 27:23 And he laid his hands upon him, and gave him a charge, as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses.
Paul spoke to Timothy:
1 Tim 4:12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
1 Tim 4:13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
1 Tim 4:14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.
1 Tim 4:15 Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.
1 Tim 4:16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
With the believer as also with Joshua, all was received from the LORD through faith. The laying on of hands was on outward ceremony to go along with the ministry gift and calling of God.
Death of Moses
Deu 34:4 And the LORD said unto him, This is the land which I sware unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, saying, I will give it unto thy seed: I have caused thee to see it with thine eyes, but thou shalt not go over thither.
Deu 34:5 So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the LORD.
Deu 34:6 And he buried him in a valley in the land of Moab, over against Bethpeor: but no man knoweth of his sepulchre unto this day.
God gave Moses a view of the promise land and then he died in the land of Moab. Was Moses forgotten by God? No, The LORD himself buried Moses in the valley; but no man knows where he is buried. There is no monument or temple over his grave, humble Moses was laid in a place known only to God, his body, not his soul and person. For he met with Jesus on the Mt. of transfiguration.
Luke 9:29 And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering.
Luke 9:30 And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias:
Moses lives, because he trusted in the Holy one of Israel. Jesus spoke of the LORD, as the LORD of the living, not the dead.
Mat 22:31 But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying,
Mat 22:32 I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.
Deu 34:7 And Moses was an hundred and twenty years old when he died: his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated.
God kept him healthy and strong. For those of us who are getting older? Moses was called to deliver Israel at the age of eighty, so don't quit ministering, you are needed.
Deu 34:8 And the children of Israel wept for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days: so the days of weeping and mourning for Moses were ended.
Deu 34:9 And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom; for Moses had laid his hands upon him: and the children of Israel hearkened unto him, and did as the LORD commanded Moses.
The transition of power was smooth, for Joshua was a faithful companion of Moses, and received his blessing and anointing. The power of God may rest upon a person, but it is of God, not of the person. God receives the glory.
Deu 34:10 And there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face,
Deu 34:11 In all the signs and the wonders, which the LORD sent him to do in the land of Egypt to Pharaoh, and to all his servants, and to all his land,
Deu 34:12 And in all that mighty hand, and in all the great terror (strength and might) which Moses showed in the sight of all Israel.
Humble Moses was a vessel for the Lords work. God was mighty through obedient Moses. When Moses acted apart from God, he lost out, he did not enter the promise land. But Jesus honored his memory and we will see him in the greatest promise land; our Father's kingdom. Learn from the life of Moses. Humility and obedience to God brings forth greatness.
Song of Moses
Rev 15:1 And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God.
Rev 15:2 And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.
When this worlds evil shall be under God's wrath. When the enemies are subdued. At this victory over the antichrist at the end of this age, before the return of King Jesus? There will be a song sung in heaven. Moses is not forgotten, his song will be sung by the martyrs who came out of the great tribulation.
Rev 15:3 And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.
The song of Moses from the old testament is combined with the song of the Lamb of God, from the new testament. One song and one message. The law and the love of God are combined, the glory of the LORD and the King of saints.
Rev 15:4 Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.
The martyrs sing the glory of God, it is about him. We are to worship and praise him. They did not speak of themselves. They are an example of how we should worship. Give glory to God and the King. The song of Moses.
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