Don't Let Temptations Sink You Series

8

This story is out of Numbers 25:1-18 . After Baalam was unsuccessful in cursing Israel, a more insidious plot arose where the women of Moab used sexual favors as a way to entice the men of Israel to worship Baal. Because of their disobedience, 24,000 died in the plague (Paul says 23,000). The sexual immorality was a gateway drug for spiritual immorality—Israel starting its affair with Baal which continued until the Babylonian captivity.

So we need to watch specifically for the enticement of sex outside of God’s plan—Paul also addressed this in Chapter 6. Sexual immorality is rampant and has toppled numerous ministries and sent otherwise effective saints into ineffectiveness, which is the overall plan of the enemy. Further we need to watch for those things that are gateways to spiritual defection: a focus on possessions, physical beauty above spiritual beauty, prestige, intellectual knowledge above knowing God—basically letting these things pull our energies away from loving and serving God.

9

After the story of the plague in Numbers 20 , chapter 21 has the story of the bronze serpent. Israel was supposed to go around Edom after a huge victory—they became impatient and spoke out against Moses and God. They wanted to take a shortcut and were upset at the lack of provision in the wilderness.

God sent snakes into their midst and everyone died unless they looked at the bronze serpent Moses made and put on a stick. This is a very great reference to Jesus Christ, who was made sin and put on a stick, suspended between heaven and earth so that anyone who would look on Him would be healed from the fatal snake bite of sin.

Here Paul talks about it in terms of “tempting Christ.” It’s the idea, I think, of thinking that we know better than God. We often want to take shortcuts—do things our ways instead of God’s. We get unhappy with where we are, especially in desert places.

10

This is probably the story in Numbers 16 when a group of Israelites rebelled against the authority of Moses—specifically Korah, Dathan, and Abiram plus 250 leaders. After a test, the earth opened up, consuming they, their wives and children, and their tents! Fire also came out from heaven and destroyed the 250 leaders.

Clearly here the example is open rebellion against God’s authority and leadership in the body of Christ through the Apostles—something that was happening in the Corinthian church and happens today as well.

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History provides us with a rich tapestry of failures to warn us of pitfalls in the path. Like flares to warn of an upcoming accident or high water signs warning of a flood, these events warn us of rough roads ahead so that we are prepared. Sometimes our attitude is “I would never do that.” That’s when you need to be most careful. “Pride goes before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18 ). You are saved by grace through faith and you continue to serve Christ through that same faith, not your own efforts!