At the end of chapter 24, we saw Balaam about to leave to return to his own people but in Numbers 31 we learn that, behind the scenes, he had a hand in the disastrous events that followed his encounter with Balak. Having been unable to bring down curses on the Israelites, he instead advised Moab and Midian to seduce them and encourage the Israelites to marry Moabite and Midianite women and adopt their religious practices.

The depth and nature of the sin that some in Israel committed at this time is difficult to describe here, but this was a low point in Israel’s history. The Baal Peor cult of fertility depended on sexual practices, and Zimri was carrying these out right there in the Lord’s tabernacle with Cozbi, daughter of a Midianite prince.

Zimri had contempt for the covenant, the tabernacle, Moses, the priests, God’s judgement and God himself. His behaviour was extreme and completely brazen. He didn’t bother to try even to hide what he was doing but instead attempted to replace the worship of the Lord with idolatry, and would have defiled the tabernacle of the Lord forever if he had succeeded. He paid with his life.

If we are ever in doubt that humanity desperately needs a saviour, this account of Israel’s great sin coming hard on the heels of such an extravagant blessing from the Lord is a good reminder. No matter how good God is, no matter how generous, no matter how merciful, humanity is prone to giving in to sin. Praise God for the provision of Jesus Christ, whose blood atones for it all.

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NEWBOLD COMMUNITY CHURCH