Joel M Bradshaw

1While Israel was staying in Shittim, the men began to indulge in sexual immorality with Moabite women, 2who invited them to the sacrifices to their gods. The people ate the sacrificial meal and bowed down before these gods. 3So Israel yoked themselves to the Baal of Peor. And the Lord’s anger burned against them.–Numbers 25

Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: There are some among you who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin so that they ate food sacrificed to idols and committed sexual immorality. (Revelation 2:14)

1. Let’s use a metaphor. Exodus was God claiming His bride. Leviticus was the marriage covenant. Numbers was the honeymoon in the wilderness.
2. Now imagine a real honeymoon. Imagine if one spouse abandoned the other to sleep with someone else they had just met. Could you imagine the pain and rejection? During the honeymoon! What did Israel communicate to God here?
3. This was the first time Israel would meet the idol Ba’al. And at the very first opportunity, Israel cheated on God.
4. Eating meat back then was a luxury, a special event to be had as a BBQ with God. Remember the sacrificial meals described in Leviticus?
5. Jesus, speaking to the church at Pergamum in Revelation 2, linked all this to Balaam from last chapter.
6. So what Balaam was unable to do to Israel with words of prophecy, he accomplished with meat and sex.
7. How divided is your heart regarding the sins you protect and the idols you cherish?–JMB