In
chapters 22 through 24 of Numbers, there is an extensive account of how Balak, king of Moab,
tried to get Balaam to curse the nation of Israel who was passing through the
area in their 40-year trek to their promised inheritance. But Jehovah
intervened and Balaam was only able to pronounce blessings. The Israelites were
safe! (At least one would think so.) Why the caution?
The
scriptures do not say what Balak thought to do next, after failing so miserably
with the attempt to curse Israel. Based on what happens in chapter 25, we can
be sure Balak got a lot craftier with his attempts. Starting with verse one, we
find out that the Israelite men started committing fornication with the Moabite
women. As a result of Balak’s cunning, thousands lost their
life when Balak succeeded in getting God to curse the nation of Israel
because of Israel’s own disobedience.
This
is a stark lesson for those claiming loyalty to God today. Where doctrinal
assaults on our faith may fail, the fire of
lustful desires might succeed. We need to be “ever on guard” to protect our extremely
valuable relationship with Jehovah.
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