The Book Of Numbers | A Journey Toward Human Freedom Under God's AuthoritySample

"SEX"

With their honeyed words of deception, the Moabite women and their false promises of respect and looks of desire—with flattering tongues that lapped in the crags of murky waterfowl—pulled the hearts of Israel’s leaders and protectors into their grasp. Numbers tells us that these women invited the people to the sacrifice of their gods, and the people bowed to their gods.

The people here not only partook in sexual encounters, but also yoked themselves in syncretism to the worship and affections of the object of the people’s allegiance. The "bed for sex" at Baal of Peor was not just a mere bed of ecstasy, orgasm and ejaculation, but it was a bed of worship; an altar of sacrifice and adoration unto the created form of the human body rather than an altar of pure worship unto the Creator.

Clearly from God’s vantage point, this act, committed on behalf of the people, was much more than a perversion, but it was treason against the most High God. We are to be as oxen—tied to God as their stronger ox in order that they might work together to pull a load. The people shook their ties to God, and came up underneath the wooden shoulder piece of the Moabite way of life. Once the yoke was fastened to them, the people moved in step; similar to how two oxen move once tied together. 

They united mentally, physically, emotionally, spiritually and socially with the Moabite way of life and value system through sex, and thus became conformed to the world’s image. The people no longer rested in the yoke of unconditional love and covenant with their God but instead, chose new thinking patterns to reframe their lives. Instead of embracing the character of God and living out a vision of service and covenant, apart from conditions and strings attached, the people took on a vision of selfish contract—a mentality that assured them that they would get what they needed and when they needed it, while falsely avoiding responsibility and consequence.

Consider Phinehas’ response to the Israelite’s sexual perversions. The Scripture paints his response as righteous … Why? Consider how Phinehas is remembered in Scripture for holiness, and yet the label of “perverse,” forever tattoos Zimri and Cozbi. Does this passage help us to see God’s deeper intent for sex in how it is supposed to be used under his authority and for his kingdom?