INTRODUCTION: Man, in his dealings with the faults and sins of others, usually falls into one of two extremes. He either over-condemns or he over-tolerates. We either condemn like a Pharisee or allow anything like the Corinthians. Phinehas was a man who knew when a stand had to be taken. His zeal was well-placed.

1. THE LEGACY OF BALAAM (Numbers 25:1-3 [1] And Israel abode in Shittim, and the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab. [2] And they called the people unto the sacrifices of their gods: and the people did eat, and bowed down to their gods. [3] And Israel joined himself unto Baalpeor: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel.
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1. The Sins of Israel (Numbers 25:1-3 [1] And Israel abode in Shittim, and the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab. [2] And they called the people unto the sacrifices of their gods: and the people did eat, and bowed down to their gods. [3] And Israel joined himself unto Baalpeor: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel.
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1. The people are in Shittim (Numbers 25:1And Israel abode in Shittim, and the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab.
   See All...).
1. The last camp before going into the land (Joshua 2:1And Joshua the son of Nun sent out of Shittim two men to spy secretly, saying, Go view the land, even Jericho. And they went, and came into an harlot's house, named Rahab, and lodged there.
   See All...; Joshua 3:1And Joshua rose early in the morning; and they removed from Shittim, and came to Jordan, he and all the children of Israel, and lodged there before they passed over.
   See All...)
2. How easy it is for us to be at the door of victory and still mess up in rebellion and disobedience.
2. Fornication (Numbers 25:1And Israel abode in Shittim, and the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab.
   See All...; 1 Corinthians 10:8Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.
   See All...)
3. Idolatry (Numbers 25:2-3 [2] And they called the people unto the sacrifices of their gods: and the people did eat, and bowed down to their gods. [3] And Israel joined himself unto Baalpeor: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel.
   See All...; Psalm 106:28-30 [28] They joined themselves also unto Baalpeor, and ate the sacrifices of the dead. [29] Thus they provoked him to anger with their inventions: and the plague brake in upon them. [30] Then stood up Phinehas, and executed judgment: and so the plague was stayed.
   See All...)
1. They ate (Numbers 25:2And they called the people unto the sacrifices of their gods: and the people did eat, and bowed down to their gods.
   See All...; Psalm 106:28They joined themselves also unto Baalpeor, and ate the sacrifices of the dead.
   See All...).
2. They bowed (Numbers 25:2And they called the people unto the sacrifices of their gods: and the people did eat, and bowed down to their gods.
   See All...; Exodus 23:24Thou shalt not bow down to their gods, nor serve them, nor do after their works: but thou shalt utterly overthrow them, and quite break down their images.
   See All...).
3. They joined (Numbers 25:3And Israel joined himself unto Baalpeor: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel.
   See All...; Hosea 4:17Ephraim is joined to idols: let him alone.
   See All...).
1. The phrasing shows that idolatry is spiritual fornication.
2. They “joined” to Baal as a man and woman join in marriage (Matthew 19:5-6 [5] And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? [6] Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
   See All...) or as a fornicator is “joined to an harlot” (1 Corinthians 6:16What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh.
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3. To serve a false god is to commit spiritual whoredom against God (Leviticus 20:5Then I will set my face against that man, and against his family, and will cut him off, and all that go a whoring after him, to commit whoredom with Molech, from among their people.
   See All...; Ezekiel 23:7Thus she committed her whoredoms with them, with all them that were the chosen men of Assyria, and with all on whom she doted: with all their idols she defiled herself.
   See All...; Hosea 4:12-13 [12] My people ask counsel at their stocks, and their staff declareth unto them: for the spirit of whoredoms hath caused them to err, and they have gone a whoring from under their God. [13] They sacrifice upon the tops of the mountains, and burn incense upon the hills, under oaks and poplars and elms, because the shadow thereof is good: therefore your daughters shall commit whoredom, and your spouses shall commit adultery.
   See All...).
4. Here and in other places (Exodus 34:14-16 [14] For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God: [15] Lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, and they go a whoring after their gods, and do sacrifice unto their gods, and one call thee, and thou eat of his sacrifice; [16] And thou take of their daughters unto thy sons, and their daughters go a whoring after their gods, and make thy sons go a whoring after their gods.
   See All...), fornication (a sin of the flesh) leads to idolatry (a sin of the spirit).
1. The order is important. Many think that fleshly sins are not really that important, but sins of the flesh lead to spiritual sins.
2. God’s final judgment is that “their abominations were according as they loved” (Hosea 9:10I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness; I saw your fathers as the firstripe in the fig tree at her first time: but they went to Baalpeor, and separated themselves unto that shame; and their abominations were according as they loved.
   See All...). That is, their love of fleshly pleasures led them to deny God Himself and serve Baal.
2. The Counsel of Balaam (Numbers 31:14-16 [14] And Moses was wroth with the officers of the host, with the captains over thousands, and captains over hundreds, which came from the battle. [15] And Moses said unto them, Have ye saved all the women alive? [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.
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1. From this passage we learn that though Balaam was denied a chance to curse Israel, he was ready to counsel the Midianites on how to seduce them so that God Himself would turn on them.
2. Balaam taught Balak how to cast a stumblingblock before Israel.
3. The stumblingblock consisted of
1. Eating things sacrificed unto idols
2. Committing fornication
4. No wonder he is such a hated character in the New Testament.
3. The New Testament Testimony
1. The way of Balaam (2 Peter 2:15Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;
   See All...); his way is a way of unrighteousness; it is a way that follows the lusts of the flesh and the desire for personal gain.
2. The error of Balaam (Jude 1:11Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.
   See All...); the error of Balaam is that he worked for reward and not for God; even when he did right, he did it as an hireling and not as a servant of God.
3. The doctrine of Balaam (Revelation 2:14But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.
   See All...); his doctrine was to do whatever he could to bring about the results he desired; he opposed God and resorted to deceit and wickedness; anything goes in achieving his desired end.
2. THE JUDGMENT OF THE PEOPLE (Numbers 25:4-5 [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. [5] And Moses said unto the judges of Israel, Slay ye every one his men that were joined unto Baalpeor.
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1. The Rebel Leaders To Be Hung (Numbers 25:4And 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.
   See All...)
2. The Followers of Baal To Be Slain (Numbers 25:5And Moses said unto the judges of Israel, Slay ye every one his men that were joined unto Baalpeor.
   See All...; 1 Kings 18:40And Elijah said unto them, Take the prophets of Baal; let not one of them escape. And they took them: and Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon, and slew them there.
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3. THE ZEAL OF PHINEHAS (Numbers 25:6-9 [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. [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; [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. [9] And those that died in the plague were twenty and four thousand.
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1. The Sin (Numbers 25:6And, 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.
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1. The origin of the sin – “one of the children of Israel”
2. The rebellious nature of the sin
3. The openness of his rebellion – “in the sight of all the congregation”
2. The Saviour (Numbers 25:7-8 [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; [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.
   See All...a; cp. Numbers 16:44-48 [44] And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, [45] Get you up from among this congregation, that I may consume them as in a moment. And they fell upon their faces. [46] And Moses said unto Aaron, Take a censer, and put fire therein from off the altar, and put on incense, and go quickly unto the congregation, and make an atonement for them: for there is wrath gone out from the LORD; the plague is begun. [47] And Aaron took as Moses commanded, and ran into the midst of the congregation; and, behold, the plague was begun among the people: and he put on incense, and made an atonement for the people. [48] And he stood between the dead and the living; and the plague was stayed.
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1. The person (Numbers 25:7And 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;
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1. Phinehas which means “mouth of brass”
2. The son of Eleazar and the grandson of Aaron
2. The work (Numbers 25:7-8 [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; [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.
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1. He saw it and rose up.
2. He took a javelin in his hand and went after the man into the tent.
3. He thrust both of them through and the plague was stayed.
3. NOTE: Man has a problem with his “belly.” The belly pictures man’s selfish desires. Those who do not serve Christ serve “their own belly” (Romans 16:18For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.
   See All...). Paul warns of those whose “God is their belly” (Philippians 3:19The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments.
   See All...). We know then why Cozbi was thrust through her belly.
3. The Ending and Effects of the Plague (Numbers 25:8And 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.
   See All...b-9)
1. The plague came as a result of this sin.
2. The plague killed 24,000.
1. These are also mentioned in 1 Corinthians 10:8Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.
   See All....
2. Numbers mentions 24,000 while 1 Corinthians mentions only 23,000.
3. Corinthians mentions 23,000 who died “in one day.”
4. The problem began earlier with the death of the leaders in this sin (Numbers 25:4And 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.
   See All...).
5. Their deaths brought the total number up to 24,000.
4. THE REWARD OF PHINEHAS (Numbers 25:10-13 [10] And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, [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. [12] Wherefore say, Behold, I give unto him my covenant of peace: [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.
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1. The Accomplishment of Phinehas (Numbers 25:10-11 [10] And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, [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.
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1. Turned away God’s wrath
2. He was zealous for God’s sake.
2. God’s Covenant with Phinehas (Numbers 25:12-13 [12] Wherefore say, Behold, I give unto him my covenant of peace: [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.
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1. A covenant of peace (Numbers 25:12Wherefore say, Behold, I give unto him my covenant of peace:
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2. A covenant extending to future generations (Numbers 25:13And 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.
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3. A covenant of an everlasting priesthood (Numbers 25:13And 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.
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4. Because he made atonement for the children of Israel (Numbers 25:13And 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.
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5. He had righteousness accounted to him (Psalm 106:30-31 [30] Then stood up Phinehas, and executed judgment: and so the plague was stayed. [31] And that was counted unto him for righteousness unto all generations for evermore.
   See All...).
5. THE JUDGMENT OF THE MIDIANITES (Numbers 25:14-18 [14] Now the name of the Israelite that was slain, even that was slain with the Midianitish woman, was Zimri, the son of Salu, a prince of a chief house among the Simeonites. [15] And the name of the Midianitish woman that was slain was Cozbi, the daughter of Zur; he was head over a people, and of a chief house in Midian. [16] And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, [17] Vex the Midianites, and smite them: [18] For they vex you with their wiles, wherewith they have beguiled you in the matter of Peor, and in the matter of Cozbi, the daughter of a prince of Midian, their sister, which was slain in the day of the plague for Peor's sake.
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1. The Identity of the Guilty Couple (Numbers 25:14-15 [14] Now the name of the Israelite that was slain, even that was slain with the Midianitish woman, was Zimri, the son of Salu, a prince of a chief house among the Simeonites. [15] And the name of the Midianitish woman that was slain was Cozbi, the daughter of Zur; he was head over a people, and of a chief house in Midian.
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1. The Israelite (Numbers 25:14Now the name of the Israelite that was slain, even that was slain with the Midianitish woman, was Zimri, the son of Salu, a prince of a chief house among the Simeonites.
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1. Zimri which means “praise worthy”
2. A prince of a chief house
3. The son of Salu - a Simeonite
2. The Midianitish woman (Numbers 25:15And the name of the Midianitish woman that was slain was Cozbi, the daughter of Zur; he was head over a people, and of a chief house in Midian.
   See All...) - Cozbi which means “liar or deceitful”
2. The Command to Smite the Midianites (Numbers 25:16-17 [16] And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, [17] Vex the Midianites, and smite them:
   See All...; Numbers 31:1-16 [1] And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, [2] Avenge the children of Israel of the Midianites: afterward shalt thou be gathered unto thy people. [3] And Moses spake unto the people, saying, Arm some of yourselves unto the war, and let them go against the Midianites, and avenge the LORD of Midian. [4] Of every tribe a thousand, throughout all the tribes of Israel, shall ye send to the war. [5] So there were delivered out of the thousands of Israel, a thousand of every tribe, twelve thousand armed for war. [6] And Moses sent them to the war, a thousand of every tribe, them and Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest, to the war, with the holy instruments, and the trumpets to blow in his hand. [7] And they warred against the Midianites, as the LORD commanded Moses; and they slew all the males. [8] And they slew the kings of Midian, beside the rest of them that were slain; namely, Evi, and Rekem, and Zur, and Hur, and Reba, five kings of Midian: Balaam also the son of Beor they slew with the sword. [9] And the children of Israel took all the women of Midian captives, and their little ones, and took the spoil of all their cattle, and all their flocks, and all their goods. [10] And they burnt all their cities wherein they dwelt, and all their goodly castles, with fire. [11] And they took all the spoil, and all the prey, both of men and of beasts. [12] And they brought the captives, and the prey, and the spoil, unto Moses, and Eleazar the priest, and unto the congregation of the children of Israel, unto the camp at the plains of Moab, which are by Jordan near Jericho. [13] And Moses, and Eleazar the priest, and all the princes of the congregation, went forth to meet them without the camp. [14] And Moses was wroth with the officers of the host, with the captains over thousands, and captains over hundreds, which came from the battle. [15] And Moses said unto them, Have ye saved all the women alive? [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.
   See All...)
3. The Cause of God’s Judgment on Midian (Numbers 25:18For they vex you with their wiles, wherewith they have beguiled you in the matter of Peor, and in the matter of Cozbi, the daughter of a prince of Midian, their sister, which was slain in the day of the plague for Peor's sake.
   See All...)
1. They vexed the Israelites (2 Peter 2:7-8 [7] And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: [8] (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)
   See All...).
2. They beguiled the Israelites (Genesis 3:13And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.
   See All...; 2 Corinthians 11:3But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
   See All...).

CONCLUSION: The wiles of Balaam and the Midianites should remind us of the wiles of the devil (Ephesians 6:11Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
See All...). By God’s grace, we should be able to stand against these wiles. Sometimes, it takes the zeal of Phinehas. Are you zealous for your Lord?