Números 25

Números 25

Robertson: Brian Bell - After 4 failed attempts to curse Israel, Balaam, a.k.a. Prophet for hire, gives up...or so it seemed. His new plan “If you can’t beat em join em!” What the armies of other nations couldn’t do, a smile & wink from the madam's of Moab & Midian could! It probably started with neighborliness; lets join their feast; hey these girls are cute; isn’t there sacrifice just a glorified BBQ? It’s just an idol we know they’re not real; then, full blown rebellion against God. Explain: Baal was a fertility god who was thought to “make farmers prosperous, kings strong, & woman fertile.” To worship Him a person had to offer sacrifices, eat special festival meals, & engage in sexual acts (Sacred prostitution). If Satan does not succeed as the devouring lion; he will come as the deceiving serpent! Idolatry is worshipping anything that ought to be used, or using anything that ought to be worshipped. Augustine Ronald Allen on daughters of Moab - The phrase “Moabite women” is the connecting link that ties this chapter to the preceding ones (22–24). What the fathers of Moab could not do, their daughters were able to accomplish, to bring Israel to its knees—sexually, morally, in false worship, and in great judgment. (Expositor's Bible Commentary) Israel, those who should have been set apart to Jehovah ("consecrate" in Lev 11:44+ means to "set apart") made a choice to set themselves apart or to consecrate themselves to SHAME. They were CALLED, CHOSEN, HOLY PEOPLE, not to be their own but to be HOLY TO THE LORD (to be His vessels, His conduit for grace and the message of forgiveness to the eternally lost pagans around them) and were to CONSECRATE themselves TO GOD. Consecration is personal choice. Well in one sense there is a ONCE FOR ALL CONSECRATION, there is also a DAILY PRESENTING OF ONE'S HEART, MIND, SOUL & SPIRIT [which involves numerous decisions daily to deny self & submit to the Lord] as a LIVING SACRIFICE to God (Ro 12:1+, Lev 11:44+) Israel instead separated themselves to IDOLATRY and IMMORALITY. Nothing new under the sun. AND GOD WAS ANGRY. (Ec 12:13,14) He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow [Heb 13:8+, Heb 10:31, 12:29] Played the harlot (02181)(zanah) is a verb meaning to fornicate, to prostitute and refers to marital infidelity or unfaithfulness. It was word used elsewhere in the OT to describe prostitution (Lev 21:7, Pr 7:10). Many of the uses of zanah are figurative describing Israel 's (Jehovah's "wife") commission of "spiritual prostitution" by having "intercourse" so to speak with other gods (cp 1 Co 6:16). Indeed, idolatry is looked upon as prostitution (Isa 50:1, 2, 3; 54:6, 7, 8; Jer 2:1, 2, 3; 3:1ff; Hos 2:1ff; Jas 4:4-note; Rev 2:4-note). In addition zanah describes Israel’s improper relationships with other nations (Isa. 23:17; Ezek. 23:30; Nah. 3:4). "The thought seems to be of having relations with these nations for the sake of political and monetary benefit, although in the case of Nineveh the added element of alluring, deceitful tactics leading on to oppressive dominance is implied." (TWOT) "A third figurative meaning is found in Isa 1:21, where the Israelites’ departure from God’s approved moral standards is called harlotry." (TWOT) In Exodus 34 God warns Israel using zanah as a metaphor describing Israel’s breach of the Lord’s covenant relationship ("make a covenant...play the harlot" in Ex 34:16) - “But rather, you are to tear down their altars and smash their sacred pillars and cut down their Asherim 14–for you shall not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God– 15 lest you make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land and they play the harlot with their gods, and sacrifice to their gods, and someone invite you to eat of his sacrifice; 16 and you take some of his daughters for your sons, and his daughters play the harlot with their gods, and cause your sons also to play the harlot with their gods. (Ex 34:13-16) Zanah is most often used for women and only rarely (twice) in reference to men (Nu 25:1-note) Ronald Allen quips that here in Nu 25:1 the Israelite men "went “whoring” after the women priestesses of the Canaanite religion of Baal. It is a defect of our language that we have numerous words for loose women but few really suitable terms for loose men." Woe! The Septuagint frequently translates zanah with the Greek verb ekporneuo used once in Jude 1:7 "Indulged in gross immorality." Numbers 25:2 For they invited the people to the sacrifices of their gods, and the people ate and bowed down to their gods. BGT Numbers 25:2 καὶ ἐκάλεσαν αὐτοὺς ἐπὶ ταῖς θυσίαις τῶν εἰδώλων αὐτῶν καὶ ἔφαγεν ὁ λαὸς τῶν θυσιῶν αὐτῶν καὶ προσεκύνησαν τοῖς εἰδώλοις αὐτῶν Greek (Septuagint) - kai ekalesan (3PAAI) autous epi tais thusiais ton eidolon auton kai ephagen (3SAAI) o laos ton thusion auton kai prosekunesan (3PAAI) tois eidolois auton NET Numbers 25:2 These women invited the people to the sacrifices of their gods; then the people ate and bowed down to their gods. NLT Numbers 25:2 These women invited them to attend sacrifices to their gods, so the Israelites feasted with them and worshiped the gods of Moab. ESV Numbers 25:2 These invited the people to the sacrifices of their gods, and the people ate and bowed down to their gods. NIV Numbers 25:2 who invited them to the sacrifices to their gods. The people ate and bowed down before these gods. KJV Numbers 25:2 And they called the people unto the sacrifices of their gods: and the people did eat, and bowed down to their gods. YLT Numbers 25:2 and they call for the people to the sacrifices of their gods, and the people eat, and bow themselves to their gods, LXE Numbers 25:2 And they called them to the sacrifices of their idols; and the people ate of their sacrifices, and worshipped their idols. ASV Numbers 25:2 for they called the people unto the sacrifices of their gods; and the people did eat, and bowed down to their gods. CSB Numbers 25:2 The women invited them to the sacrifices for their gods, and the people ate and bowed in worship to their gods. NKJ Numbers 25:2 They invited the people to the sacrifices of their gods, and the people ate and bowed down to their gods. NRS Numbers 25:2 These invited the people to the sacrifices of their gods, and the people ate and bowed down to their gods. NAB Numbers 25:2 These then invited the people to the sacrifices of their god, and the people ate of the sacrifices and worshiped their god. NJB Numbers 25:2 These invited them to the sacrifices of their gods, and the people ate and bowed down before their gods. GWN Numbers 25:2 who invited the people to the sacrifices offered to their gods. The people ate the meat from the sacrifices and worshiped these gods. they called: Ex 34:15,16 Jos 22:17 1Ki 11:1-8 Ps 106:28 Ho 9:10 1Co 10:20 1Co 10:27,28 2Co 6:16,17 Rev 2:14 bowed: Ex 20:5 23:24 Jos 23:7,16 1Ki 19:18 Numbers 25 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries A DEADLY PROGRESSION: INVITATION, SACRIFICE, WORSHIP! For - Term of explanation. What a sad explanation, but also a most "seductive" one! For they invited the people: The verb invited is FEMININE...so the Moabite women invited the Israelites to the sacrifices. To the sacrifices of their gods: From Ps 106:28 They joined themselves also to Baal-peor,And ate sacrifices offered to the dead (possible referring to "dead idols")!!! Human sacrifice was made to Chemosh 2 Ki 3:27 The Moabites did not fight with the Israelites (and in fact did not do so for 300 years according to Jdg 11:25,26. Moabite god Chemosh - Bordering Israel in the region east of the Dead Sea was the nation Moab, whose national god was Chemosh. In times of religious corruption, Israel copied Moabite religious practices (Judges 10:6; 1 Kings 11:7; 1 Kings 11:33), and in times of reformation got rid of them (2 Kings 23:13). The Moabites looked for help from Chemosh through offering child sacrifices (2 Kings 3:26-27; cf. Judges 10:6; Judges 11:30-31; Judges 11:39), but Chemosh was powerless to save them from the judgment of God (Jeremiah 48:7; Jeremiah 48:13; Jeremiah 48:46) Chemosh - 8v - Num. 21:29; Jdg. 11:24; 1 Ki. 11:7; 1 Ki. 11:33; 2 Ki. 23:13; Jer. 48:7; Jer. 48:13; Jer. 48:46 Walter Kaiser writes that "The Moabites worshiped the war god Chemosh, but they must have also indulged in the fertility religion of Baal. This cult was marked by some of the most depraved religious practices in Canaan. In lurid and orgiastic rites, the worshipers would emulate the sacred prostitution of their gods and goddesses, often also participating in a ceremonial meal. In the case of Baal of Peor, we suspect that the cult also involved veneration for the dead. Peor may be the Hebrew and Phoenician spelling for the Luwian Pahura. This word in Hittite means “fire” and may derive from some form of the root that underlies the Greek pyr, “fire.” (Hard Sayings of the Bible) The sacrifices of their gods - Israel was familiar with sacrifice to the Living God and when they began to "backslide" it was easy for them to compromise and sacrifice to pagan gods! The parallel passage in Ps 106:28 says "They joined themselves also to Baal-peor, And ate sacrifices offered to the dead." Most writers interpret "to the dead" as a description of the "lifeless gods" of the pagans, which would be a direct affront to the Living God (Dt 5:26, Josh 3:10, 1 Sa 17:26, 36).. Sacrifices to pagan gods was a repeated topic in the OT - Ex 34:15; Deut 32:38; Judg 16:23; 2 Kings 10:19; Isa 57:7; Ezek 20:28; Hos 4:19. Of their gods: The Hebrew word is Elohiym which was not the true god but Eidolon!!!} BOWING DOWN IN WORSHIP TO GODS THAT ARE NOT GODS! Notice that Israel's sin was progressive -- it did not stop with illicit behavior with foreign idol worshiping women! They bowed down in worship to dead gods, rather than bowing only to the One True Living God! Isn't this the nature of sin? We seldom sin in a vacuum so to speak. That is to say, one sin is self-replicating, often giving rise to a second (or more) sin. Have you noticed that in your experience? That is why we need to confess quickly, keeping short accounts, before that single sin can give birth to other "little sins." Bowed down (prostrated, worshiped) (07812)(shachah) means to bow down, to prostrate oneself, to crouch, to fall down, to humbly beseech, to do reverence, to worship. The idea is to assume a prostrate position as would in paying homage to royalty (Ge 43:28) or to God (Ge 24:26, Ps 95:6). Ronald Allen has a note on the Hebrew tense of "bowed down" which "speaks of “causing oneself to bow down” (the Hishtaphel is causative-reflexive). This is the principal term in the MT for acts of worship, used of the worship of the Lord (see Ps 29:2; cf. Eph 3:14) as well as of pagan gods (as here). It is fitting that the biblical term for worship is physical in nature." EXCURSUS ON BOWING DOWN - The Septuagint translates shachah with the verb proskuneo which gives a vivid word picture of what the Israelites were doing. Proskuneo is from pros = before + kuneo = kiss or adore and thus means to prostrate oneself in homage before another in the full sense of worship, not mere reverence or courtesy. When Jesus Christ was born into this world, He was attended and worshiped by angels. (Lu 2:13f). Proskuneo represents the most common Near Eastern act of adoration and reverence and also carries the idea of profound awe and respect. Some believe that the root word kuneo may be related to kuon which is the Greek word for dog and which then could be picturing a dog licking his master's hand. The word proskuneo literally means to kiss toward someone, to throw a kiss in token of respect or homage, to prostrate oneself in homage, to do reverence to, to adore and so to worship and show respect. In the ancient Oriental (especially Persia) the mode of salutation between persons of equal rank was to kiss each other on the lips. When the difference of rank was slight, they kissed each other on the cheek. When one was much inferior, he fell upon his knees touched his forehead to the ground or prostrated himself, and as he was bowing down he would be throwing kisses toward the superior. It is this latter mode of salutation that is intended by the Greek writers in the use of the verb proskuneo . Jesus has a commentary on Numbers 25 in His discourse to the church in Pergamum (Rev 2:12-17-note) Rev 2:14-note But I have a few things against you, because you have there some who hold the teaching (didasko) of Balaam, who kept teaching Balak to put a stumbling block (see discussion below) before ( in essence right in front of their eyes!!! cp "lust of the eyes" 1 Jn 2:16-note) the sons of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit acts of immorality (porneuo). Comment - Stumbling block is the Greek word skandalon was originally the piece of wood that kept open a trap for animals. Outside the Bible it is not used metaphorically, though its derivative skandalethron (e.g. a trap set through questions) is so used. The English word scandal is derived from the noun via the Lat. scandalum. Thus skandalon was literally, that movable part of a trap on which the bait was laid, and when touched caused the trap to abruptly close on its prey. Skandalon thus came to mean any entanglement of the foot. Figuratively, as used most often in Scripture, skandalon refers to any person or thing by which one is drawn into error or sin. That's a picture of sin. It looks alluring (like the Midianite women), but when touched, it captures its unsuspecting prey. James warned about this noting that "each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death." (James 1:14, 15-note). Notice the fruit of sin is death, and that proved literally true for 24,000 Israelites because of their sin at Shittim! Skandalon always denotes an enticement to conduct which could ruin the person in question (see Lev 19:14, Josh 23:13, 1 Sa 18:21). In the NT skandalon is used figuratively in a moral sense. It is concerned mainly with the fact that it produces certain behavior which can lead to ruin. Notice in Rev 2:14 we have the close association of idolatry with immorality, a pattern which is found throughout the Bible (here at the beginning in Numbers 25 and at the end in the Revelation). Mark it down - one cause of immorality is idolatry. And what is the antidote for idolatry or worship of of dead gods? It is the worship of the true and living God. We see this pattern in 1 Thes 4:3-4, 5-note noting especially the phrase "do not know God." Why do the Gentiles gravitate to "lustful passion?" Because they do not "know God," so one solution for immorality in one's life is to "know God," to "fix your eyes on Jesus" and then the things of this (passing) world will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace! Sounds like the words to a Hymn (Turn Your Eyes on Jesus)! Numbers 25:3 So Israel joined themselves to Baal of Peor, and the LORD was angry against Israel. BGT Numbers 25:3 καὶ ἐτελέσθη Ισραηλ τῷ Βεελφεγωρ καὶ ὠργίσθη θυμῷ κύριος τῷ Ισραηλ Greek (Septuagint) - kai etelesthe (3SAPI:teleo: completing someth. bring to an end, conclude, complete Mt 7.28;fulfill, perform Lu 2.39) Israel to Beelphegor kai orgisthe (3SAPI: Mt 5:22) thumo kurios to Israel NET Numbers 25:3 When Israel joined themselves to Baal-peor, the anger of the LORD flared up against Israel. NLT Numbers 25:3 In this way, Israel joined in the worship of Baal of Peor, causing the LORD's anger to blaze against his people. ESV Numbers 25:3 So Israel yoked himself to Baal of Peor. And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel. NIV Numbers 25:3 So Israel joined in worshiping the Baal of Peor. And the LORD's anger burned against them. KJV Numbers 25:3 And Israel joined himself unto Baalpeor: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel. YLT Numbers 25:3 and Israel is joined to Baal-Peor, and the anger of Jehovah burneth against Israel. LXE Numbers 25:3 And Israel consecrated themselves to Beel-phegor; and the Lord was very angry with Israel. ASV Numbers 25:3 And Israel joined himself unto Baal-peor: and the anger of Jehovah was kindled against Israel. CSB Numbers 25:3 So Israel aligned itself with Baal of Peor, and the LORD's anger burned against Israel. NKJ Numbers 25:3 So Israel was joined to Baal of Peor, and the anger of the LORD was aroused against Israel. NRS Numbers 25:3 Thus Israel yoked itself to the Baal of Peor, and the LORD's anger was kindled against Israel. NAB Numbers 25:3 When Israel thus submitted to the rites of Baal of Peor, the LORD'S anger flared up against Israel, NJB Numbers 25:3 With Israel thus committed to the Baal of Peor, Yahweh's anger was aroused against them. GWN Numbers 25:3 Since the Israelites joined in worshiping the god Baal of Peor, the LORD became angry with Israel. joined: Nu 25:5 De 4:3,4 Jos 22:17 Ps 106:28,29 Ho 9:10 the anger: Jos 22:17 Jud 2:14,20 Ps 90:11 Jer 17:4 Numbers 25 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries ISRAEL, LET ME INTRODUCE YOU TO BAAL WORSHIP! If you can't beat 'em, join 'em (or better get them to join you)! So Israel joined themselves to Baal of Peor, Notice how Brenton translates the Greek (Lxx) - " And Israel consecrated themselves!" Israel was to have been consecrated only and wholly to the Holy One of Israel Who Himself declaring ‘For I am the LORD your God. Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy; for I am holy. And you shall not make yourselves unclean with any of the swarming things that swarm on the earth. (Lev 11:44) Comment: Consecrate is qadash = to be set apart and is translated in the Septuagint with hagiazo = to be set apart, to be holy. Instead of setting themselves apart from the Moabite women, Israel had profaned and defiled themselves with their gross immorality and abominable idolatry. If you don't believe in the utter depravity of man, then you need to study Numbers 25! This is the second mention of Israel joining themselves to Baal of Peor (cp Nu 25:1, 5) but this time is coupled with consequences. Ronald Allen points out that the Hebrew verb joined (tsamad) "speaks of adapting to the worship patterns of a foreign people, an abhorrent concept, such as the false yokings from which Israel was prohibited (see Dt 22:10; cf. 2 Cor 6:14). This passage is the first encounter of Israel with Baal, and it forms the death rattle of the first generation." Joined refers to two animals yoked together -- Oxen yoked for plowing -- The people sacrificed to their gods, ate, worshiped, and participated in cult prostitution. The entire activity is powerfully described as yoking oneself to Baal of Peor. This verb connotes how flagrantly obstinate their rebellion against Yahweh was. (cp believers today = 2 Co 6:14, Israel = Ex 29:45 Lev 26:12) Kaiser quips that "While God had saved Israel from the curses of Balaam, the Israelites could not save themselves from sinning against God." Well, now, God could have, but many times He lets us have our own way (we've all been there before!). They were allowed to choose their sin but would have no control over the fatal consequences.