So Israel was joined to Baal

So Israel was joined to Baal of Peor, and the anger of the LORD was aroused against Israel. – Numbers 25v3

Israel was dwelling in Moab. It appears from Numbers 25v3 that they were remaining there when they should have been moving on. This caused difficulties for them. The people of Moab began inviting the Israelites to dinner and to come to worship their false gods with them.

Verse three is tragic. ‘So Israel was joined with Baal…’ A theme of separation runs all the way through the word of God. He consistently calls on His people to take and stand with Him and for Him. All through history God’s people have had to live and work and function in the real world. The challenge has been to not to be joined to the world while living there.

Israel failed that test. Instead of showing the real God to the people they looked at the Moabites false gods. As they ate with them they were not firm enough in their relationship with Jehovah to trust instead. Instead they saw something in Baal that they did not see with God.

So Israel was joined with Baal.

That is bad enough. What is worse is that I can think of times in my life when it could be written, ‘So Roger was joined with the world.’ Israel had to look forward by faith to what God would do. I can look back with faith and sight to see what He has done. I have the clear instructions in His word.

Yes. ‘Roger was joined with the world’ is at least as bad as ‘Israel was joined with Baal.’

With God’s help may ‘Roger was joined with the world’ never be a part of my future.