Sermon Tone Analysis

Context?

Already conquered Bashan.

Balaam tries to curse.

Camped in Acacia Grove

place of idolatry

Baal Worship

Sexual

How did this harlotry start?

Why would they go?

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.

How does Satan first open the door here?

Is the same thing happening today?

Innocent fun -> killing us?

In every gathering for pleasure where pride is fostered or appetite indulged, where one is led to forget God and lose sight of eternal interests, there Satan is binding his chains about the soul.

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.

Why did the temptation work so well?

Because they saw it as

completely innocent

fun.

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.

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.

What does that mean?

Yoked to Baal of Peor?

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.

What does it mean?

Anger Aroused?

Plague Begins

Their iniquitous practices did that for Israel which all the enchantments of Balaam could not do—they separated them from God.

What did Balaam do?

Why?

Couldn’t curse

obedient people

But can destroy

disobedient people

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.

What is commanded?

Why?

Stop the plague?

Appease God’s wrath?

Why the leaders?

not everyone?

By swift-coming judgments the people were awakened to the enormity of their sin.

What is one reason why God brought swift punishment and retribution?

So they can see

how evil it is!

God commanded that the leaders in this apostasy be put to death

...

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.

How do you feel about that?

Punishment for sin today???

Not same punishment

Any Punishment?

Church

not world

All felt that the punishment was just, and the people hastened to the tabernacle, and with tears and deep humiliation confessed their sin.

Result of discipline?

Not repentance of offenders

Repentance of on-lookers!

What happens in the midst of this repentance?

What were the people doing?

What is he doing?

What is his position?

What had to be done?

Why was he so bold to do that?

What was the result of this sin?

How does that apply to us today?

What did God think Phineas action?

What did God think about Phineas?

Would he receive praise today for similar actions?

From People?

World?

Church?

From God?

What happens next?

Who do you think was sent in charge of the army?

Phinehas

Phinehas

Phinehas

()

Balaam also killed.

What happened when Balaam tried to curse them?

Nothing...

When Balaam was called to curse the Hebrews he could not, by all his enchantments, bring evil upon them; for the Lord had not “beheld iniquity in Jacob,” neither had He “seen perverseness in Israel.”

When Balaam was called to curse the Hebrews he could not, by all his enchantments, bring evil upon them;

When Balaam was called to curse the Hebrews he could not, by all his enchantments, bring evil upon them

What happened when Balaam made a plot for them to sin?

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But when through yielding to temptation they transgressed God’s law, their defense departed from them.

What does that mean for us today?

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If those who profess to be the depositaries of God’s law become transgressors of its precepts, they separate themselves from God, and they will be unable to stand before their enemies.

Proverbs talks about

this destructive sin.