Numbers 25:1-18
25:1-2 While God has been working arduously in their favor against their enemies, some of the children of Israel are disrespecting Him. Some of the men are engaging in corrupt relations with the Moabites. They have engaged in idol worship. When God proclaims that He is merciful (Luke 6:36) and loving, He clearly means it.
Generations of individuals have disrespected all of God's hard work on their behalf. They have strayed from the beautiful path He so carefully created. They have spoken ill of Him, opposed Him in word and action, and unfairly tainted and represented His name. Yet He remains the essence of patience and long-suffering, Exodus 34:6.
25:3 Displeased with the actions of the children of Israel, God begins the procedure of tough-love. Evil actions are met with consequence.
25:4-5 Every man who rejected God and turned their reverence to Baal, an idol-god, is to be...removed from the earth. Their actions are corrupting and ruining the lives of the people around them and God will not allow it.
25:6-9 A man named Phinehas, a righteous child of God, takes it upon himself to literally pierce the root of the evil corrupting the children of Israel.
25:10-11 God is always comforted by His children Who rise and get to work in times of injustice. Phinehas posses zealous faith. Let's look at the definition of that work, zealous: great energy or enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause or an objective.
Faith is meant to be alive. Enthusiastic! Enlivened. Passionate. Forever in pursuit of its ideals and objectives. James 2:14-26 teaches us that faith without works is dead. To be in love with God, with His will is to be actively faithful. To be actively faithful is to pursue justice and compassion, hope and truth.
The nature of Phinehas' faith inspires God to bless him in a massive way. Read the next two verses, Phinehas' blessings from God, as blessing you will also receive when your faith becomes zealous.
Faith is meant to be alive. Enthusiastic! Enlivened. Passionate. Forever in pursuit of its ideals and objectives. James 2:14-26 teaches us that faith without works is dead. To be in love with God, with His will is to be actively faithful. To be actively faithful is to pursue justice and compassion, hope and truth.
The nature of Phinehas' faith inspires God to bless him in a massive way. Read the next two verses, Phinehas' blessings from God, as blessing you will also receive when your faith becomes zealous.
25:12 God: "Behold I give to him My covenant of peace; ..."
Peace encompasses every nutrition our minds, bodies and souls need and hope for. More than contentment, peace is abundance. More than happiness peace is exuberant joy. Everlasting kindness. God makes a promise to plant peace into the lives of His children who are zealous for Him. For to be zealous for God is to be zealous for justice and compassion. We have witnessed how God continues His promises with generosity into eternity. Generation after generation, He remembers His promises. He remembers long after we forget.
Peace encompasses every nutrition our minds, bodies and souls need and hope for. More than contentment, peace is abundance. More than happiness peace is exuberant joy. Everlasting kindness. God makes a promise to plant peace into the lives of His children who are zealous for Him. For to be zealous for God is to be zealous for justice and compassion. We have witnessed how God continues His promises with generosity into eternity. Generation after generation, He remembers His promises. He remembers long after we forget.
25:13 "... and it shall be to him and his descendants after him a covenant of an everlasting priesthood..." God explains why: "... because he was zealous for his God, and made atonement for the children of Israel."
God is so pleased with Phinehas that He trusts that Phinehas will raise a faithful family, able to receive the everlasting promises and love of God. The world has tainted the word priest -- many think of religion, immediately. Rigid. Strict. Judgmental. Corrupt.
What God means is that He will remain with the generations of His zealously faithful children as they joyfully, compassionately, peacefully spread His word. After all, bringing news and wisdom of Him is the happiest feeling:
Isaiah 57:7
Phinehas takes it upon himself to seek atonement for the children of Israel even though he is innocent. Long before Paul even teaches, Phinehas follows this advice:7 How beautiful upon the mountainsAre the feet of him who brings good news,Who proclaims peace,Who brings glad tidings of good things,Who proclaims salvation,Who says to Zion,“Your God reigns!”
Philippians 2:1-4
1 Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
25:14-15 The root of the opposition against God came from these two people named: Zimri, "my music" and Cozbi, "my lie". Zimri was a child of Israel, beloved by someone enough to be named my music. You are God's music, do not ruin yourself with lies and corruption.
25:16-18 The children of Israel begin a battle against the Midianites whose corrupt and idol-worship lifestyle was pervading the land.
