Numbers 25 - Israel's Sin with Moabite Women | Bible Podcast, David Alley, Peace Christian Church

In this video listen to Numbers 25 read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.

Numbers 25 is a continuation of the Balaam story from the previous chapter. At first this seems at surface value to have no connection with Balaam, yet what happens in this chapter is the result of his advice to Balak. Balaam instinctively knew that God would be displeased with his own people if they sinned against him, so he enticed them to sin. This incident is recorded in Micah 6:5 and elaborated further in Revelation 2:14

Moabite and Midianite women tempt the Israelites into sexual sin, and it displeases God. Israel had been in the desert for 40 years, where following the ten commandments was simpler, absent from temptation. But the rest of the pagan world was heavily involved in sexually oriented religious practices, and this mingling with Moab was too tempting.

Such was the same for the Corinthian believers, and for many people all through history and even today. Why is a Midianite woman involved when a plan of Moab is underway? Simply because King Balak the king of Moab was a Midianite, ruling over both groups.

Various individuals may be one or the other, but both tribes are cooperating at this point. Phinehas becomes zealous for God, and kills Zimri and Cozbi, two of the perpetrators. God then makes a covenant with this individual, as he did with Abraham.

However, through the cross, he has made this same covenant of peace with us all. May we all be jealous for God as Phinehas was. Zimri and Cozbi are people of high ranking. This suggests a deliberate planned event here, not just giving into temptation that comes by occasion.

Coffman’s commentary says the name Cozbi means “voluptuous” in its language. This adds another element to the discussion.