patriarchs and prophets-第117章
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connection with Christ to secure wealth and promotion in that worldly
kingdom which； as he believed； the Messiah was about to set up。 The failure
of his hopes drove him to apostasy and ruin。 Both Balaam and Judas had
received great light and enjoyed special privileges； but a single cherished
sin poisoned the entire character and caused their destruction。
It is a perilous thing to allow an unchristian trait to live in the heart。
One cherished sin will； little by little； debase the character； bringing all
its nobler powers into subjection to the evil desire。 The removal of one
safeguard from the conscience； the indulgence of one evil habit； one neglect
of the high claims of duty； breaks down the defenses of the soul and opens
the way for Satan to come in and lead us astray。 The only safe course is to
let our prayers go forth daily from a sincere heart； as did David； 〃Hold up
my goings in Thy paths； that my footsteps slip not。〃 Psalm 17：5。
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Chapter 41
Apostasy at the Jordan
With joyful hearts and renewed faith in God； the victorious armies of Israel
had returned from Bashan。 They had already gained possession of a valuable
territory； and they were confident of the immediate conquest of Canaan。 Only
the river Jordan lay between them and the Promised Land。 Just across the
river was a rich plain； covered with verdure； watered with streams from
copious fountains； and shaded by luxuriant palm trees。 On the western border
of the plain rose the towers and palaces of Jericho； so embosomed in its
palm…tree groves that it was called 〃the city of palm trees。〃
On the eastern side of Jordan； between the river and the high tableland
which they had been traversing； was also a plain； several miles in width and
extending some distance along the river。 This sheltered valley had the
climate of the tropics； here flourished the shittim； or acacia； tree； giving
to the plain the name； 〃Vale of Shittim。〃 It was here that the Israelites
encamped； and in the acacia groves by the riverside they found an agreeable
retreat。
But amid these attractive surroundings they were to encounter an evil more
deadly than mighty hosts of armed men or the wild beasts of the wilderness。
That country； so rich in natural advantages； had been defiled by the
inhabitants。 In the public worship of Baal； the leading deity； the most
degrading and iniquitous scenes were constantly enacted。 On every side were
places noted for idolatry and licentiousness； the very names being
suggestive of the vileness and corruption of the people。
These surroundings exerted a polluting influence upon the Israelites。 Their
minds became familiar with the vile thoughts constantly suggested； their
life of ease and inaction produced its demoralizing effect； and almost
unconsciously to themselves they
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were departing from God and coming into a condition where they would fall an
easy prey to temptation。
During the time of their encampment beside Jordan； Moses was preparing for
the occupation of Canaan。 In this work the great leader was fully employed；
but to the people this time of suspense and expectation was most trying； and
before many weeks had elapsed their history was marred by the most frightful
departures from virtue and integrity。
At first there was little intercourse between the Israelites and their
heathen neighbors； but after a time Midianitish women began to steal into
the camp。 Their appearance excited no alarm； and so quietly were their plans
conducted that the attention of Moses was not called to the matter。 It was
the object of these women； in their association with the Hebrews； to seduce
them into transgression of the law of God； to draw their attention to
heathen rites and customs； and lead them into idolatry。 These motives were
studiously concealed under the garb of friendship； so that they were not
suspected； even by the guardians of the people。
At Balaam's suggestion； a grand festival in honor of their gods was
appointed by the king of Moab； and it was secretly arranged that Balaam
should induce the Israelites to attend。 He was regarded by them as a prophet
of God； and hence had little difficulty in accomplishing his purpose。 Great
numbers of the people joined him in witnessing the festivities。 They
ventured upon the forbidden ground； and were entangled in the snare of
Satan。 Beguiled with music and dancing； and allured by the beauty of heathen
vestals； they cast off their fealty to Jehovah。 As they united in mirth and
feasting； indulgence in wine beclouded their senses and broke down the
barriers of self…control。 Passion had full sway； and having defiled their
consciences by lewdness； they were persuaded to bow down to idols。 They
offered sacrifice upon heathen altars and participated in the most degrading
rites。
It was not long before the poison had spread； like a deadly infection；
through the camp of Israel。 Those who would have conquered their enemies in
battle were overcome by the wiles of heathen women。 The people seemed to be
infatuated。 The rulers and the leading men were among the first to
transgress； and so many of the people were guilty that the apostasy became
national。 〃Israel joined himself unto Baalpeor。〃 When Moses was
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aroused to perceive the evil； the plots of their enemies had been so
successful that not only were the Israelites participating in the licentious
worship at Mount Peor； but the heathen rites were coming to be observed in
the camp of Israel。 The aged leader was filled with indignation； and the
wrath of God was kindled。
Their iniquitous practices did that for Israel which all the enchantments of
Balaam could not dothey separated them from God。 By swift…coming judgments
the people were awakened to the enormity of their sin。 A terrible pestilence
broke out in the camp； to which tens of thousands speedily fell a prey。 God
commanded that the leaders in this apostasy be put to death by the
magistrates。 This order was promptly obeyed。 The offenders were slain； then
their bodies were hung up in sight of all Israel that the congregation；
seeing the leaders so severely dealt with； might have a deep sense of God's
abhorrence of their sin and the terror of His wrath against them。
All felt that the punishment was just； and the people hastened to the
tabernacle； and with tears and deep humiliation confessed their sin。 While
they were thus weeping before God； at the door of the tabernacle； while the
plague was still doing its work of death； and the magistrates were executing
their terrible commission； Zimri； one of the nobles of Israel； came boldly
into the camp； accompanied by a Midianitish harlot； a princess 〃of a chief
house in Midian；〃 whom he escorted to his tent。 Never was vice bolder or
more stubborn。 Inflamed with wine； Zimri declared his 〃sin as Sodom；〃 and
gloried in his shame。 The priests and leaders had prostrated themselves in
grief and humiliation； weeping 〃between the porch and the altar；〃 and
entreating the Lord to spare His people； and give not His heritage to
reproach； when this prince in Israel flaunted his sin in the sight of the
congregation； as if to defy the vengeance of God and mock the judges of the
nation。 Phinehas； the son of Eleazar the high priest； rose up from among the
congregation； and seizing a javelin； 〃he went after the man of Israel into
the tent；〃 and slew them both。 Thus the plague was stayed； while the priest
who had executed the divine judgment was honored before all Israel； and the
priesthood was confirmed to him and to his house forever。
Phinehas 〃hath turned My wrath away from the children of Israel；〃 was the
divine message； 〃wherefore say； Behold； I give unto him My covenant of
peace： and he shall have it； and his
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seed after him； even the covenant of an everlasting priesthood； because he
was zealous for His God； and made an atonement for the children of Israel。〃
The judgments visited upon Israel for their sin at Shittim； destroyed the
survivors of that vas
