Old Testament reading: Numbers 25-26
Numbers 25 gives the first account of Balaam’s treachery concerning Israel, though the source was not known until later when vengeance was taken upon the Midianites (Num 31:8, 16). What continues to astound me is Israel’s willingness and readiness to forsake God at every turn. One would think that a people who had been enslaved for generations and saw the mighty hand of God when He delivered them from Egyptian bondage would at least have an ounce of fidelity, but not Israel. They were chronic complainers: they complained about the food, water, Moses and Aaron, and God’s discipline upon Korah. God provided for their every need and answered many of their complaints with the ultimate punishment. Yet here we are in Moab and Israel is ready to play the harlot with Baal. One Israelite man was so brazen that he took a Midianite woman into his tent in the sight of the entire congregation. Outraged with righteous indignation, Phinehas took a javelin and executed them both, piercing them both through in a single thrust as they committed fornication. God commended him saying, “he was zealous with My zeal” (v 11).
New Testament reading: Romans 1-3
Today’s text might be summed with the words of Romans 3:10, “There is none righteous, no not one,” or verse 23, “For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” Paul begins with the sins of Gentiles, who willingly suppressed the truth of God, denying even His very existence. Note how God’s existence and essence can be seen in nature, so that no man may be excused for his atheism (Rom 1:20). Consider also that God’s wrath is revealed against all unrighteousness – present tense. Also, this phrase indicates that God’s wrath occurs as a natural result of unrighteousness. God has set forth natural laws that do not require His direct intervention. When individuals or nations conduct themselves in accordance with the precepts of Scripture, there are natural blessings that follow. When individuals or nations turn their backs on God’s word, there is a natural curse upon those people. America’s embrace of divorce, abortion and homosexuality have been devastating to civility and society.
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