PROTECTION AGAINST ATTACKS (2)

*WISDOM FOR TODAY.*

*PROTECTION AGAINST ATTACKS (2*

*Scripture Treasure.*

Numb 25: 1-3,9 *And Israel abode in Shittim, and the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab.*

*And they called the people unto the sacrifices of their gods: and the people did eat, and bowed down to their gods.*

*And Israel joined himself unto Baalpeor: and the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel.*

*And those that died in the plague were twenty and four thousand.*

*Insight and Highlight.*

Holiness is the most potent protection against enemy attack.

*Scripture Commentaries.*

Balak and Balaam could not succeed over the children of Israel because

God frustrated them.

Balaam and Balak gave up on Israel.

Numb 24:25 records *"....Balaam rose up, and went and returned to his place: and Balak also went his way.*

Numbers 25, however, began with the tragic story of Israel.

They brought prostitutes into their camp, and God became angry with them.

The sins of the children of Israel opened up the hedge around them.

No one or nation was their enemies this time. It was God Himself that stood against them as an adversary.

God sent plagues among them and killed 24, 000 of them.

God is willing to protect His children for as long as they remain faithful.

God had told Balaam that there was no enchantment or divination that would work against Israel, Numb 23:23, but it was only as long as they lived holy.

God consumed His own people in His jealousy except for Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, who turned His wrath away from the children of Israel but God had killed *"....every one his men that were joined unto Baalpeor.*, Numb 25:5.

The intervention of Phinehas brought victory back to Israel, when God saw his spontaneous resistance to Israel's sin, Numb 25: 11, 14-18.

Our prayers will not avail to God if we live recklessly.

Though God responded in vengeance to the Midianites but many lives were lost in the plague.

Let us think of the consequences of sin before we commit it.

Our security against the power of evil is living and fearing God.

Live above sin.

Shun sin!

*Remorse corner.*

Israel's whoredom broke off God's protection against any enchantment and divination against them.

*Call to Word action.*

Eccl 10:8 *He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him.*

*The Christian clarion duty.*

Ecclesiastes 12:13 *Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.*

*Prayer.*

Lord, help me. Do not let me lose Your protection over me, in Jesus name.

Good morning, all, and be blessed as you go today.

God bless you.