Numbers chapters 25-27 Star Chart: Clockwise from when "one of the (Gemini) children of Israel came and brought unto his (Gemini) brethren a Midianitish (Pollux) woman in the (lunar eyeballs) sight of (Ophiuchus) Moses, and in the (lunar eyeballs) sight of all the congregation of the (Gemini) children of Israel, who were (glistening star tear drops time-lapse rotating) weeping before the door of the (red radius) tabernacle of the congregation" (25:6) till "(Perseus) Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, (lunar eyeballs) saw it, he rose up from among the congregation, and took a (red radius) javelin in his (Perseus) hand (+300°); And he went after the (Castor) man of Israel into the (red radius) tent, and thrust both of them through, the (Castor) man of Israel, and the (Pollux) woman through her (lunar) belly (+60°). So the plague was stayed from the (Gemini) children of Israel" (25:7-8) is 360° or perhaps one minute. "And those that died in the plague were twenty and four thousand" (25:9). |
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Harlotry Was An Idolatrous Rite At Baal-Peor
25:1 And Israel abode in Shittim, and the (Gemini) people began to commit whoredom with the (Gemini) daughters of Moab.
2 And they called the people unto the (lunar) (Aries-Taurus) sacrifices of their (Cetus-Big Dog-Drago) gods: and the (Gemini) people did eat, and bowed down (rotated) to their gods.
3 And Israel (red radius) joined himself unto Baalpeor: and the (solar) anger of the (Shekinah) Lord was kindled against Israel.
4 And the (Shekinah) Lord said unto (Ophiuchus) Moses, Take all the heads of the (Gemini) people, and (lunar noose) hang them up before the Lord against the (solar) sun, that the fierce (solar) anger of the (Shekinah) Lord may be turned away from Israel.
5 And (Ophiuchus) Moses said unto the (Gemini) judges of Israel, (Perseus) (red radius) Slay ye every one his (Gemini) men that were joined unto Baalpeor.
6 And, (lunar eyes) behold, one of the (Gemini) children of Israel came and brought unto his (Gemini) brethren a Midianitish (Pollux) woman in the (lunar eyeballs) sight of (Ophiuchus) Moses, and in the (lunar eyeballs) sight of all the congregation of the (Gemini) children of Israel, who were (glistening star tear drops time-lapse rotating) weeping before the door of the (red radius) tabernacle of the congregation.
7 And when (Perseus) Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, (lunar eyeballs) saw it, he rose up from among the congregation, and took a (red radius) javelin in his (Perseus) hand;
8 And he went after the (Castor) man of Israel into the (red radius) tent, and thrust both of them through, the (Castor) man of Israel, and the (Pollux) woman through her (lunar) belly. So the plague (slaughter -- Deut. 4:3 -- since all the men who followed Baal-Peor were now destroyed. The same word is used in Exodus 9:14 to describe many vexations. And in 2 Sam. 17:9 this very word is translated "slaughter") was stayed from the (Gemini) children of Israel.
9 And those that died in the plague were twenty and four thousand.
10 And the (Shekinah) Lord spake unto (Ophiuchus) Moses, saying,
11 Phinehas (Perseus), the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, hath turned my wrath away from the (Gemini) children of Israel, while he was zealous for my sake among them, that I consumed not the (Gemini) children of Israel in my jealousy.
12 Wherefore say, Behold, I give unto him my covenant of peace:
13 And he shall have it, and his (lunar) seed after him, even the covenant of an everlasting priesthood; because he was zealous for his (Shekinah) God, and made an atonement for the (Gemini) children of Israel.
The Jews reckon twelve high priests of the race of Phinehas, from this time to the days of Solomon, nine more from that time to the captivity, (see 1 Chronicles 6:4, 1 Chronicles 6:15), and fifteen from their return to the time of Antiochus Eupator, the last of whom was Onias, slain by Lysias. Ezra, the great priest and scribe, was of this line, Ezra 7:1, Ezra 7:5. The family of Ithamar, uncle of Phinehas, had the priesthood for about 150 years; but it was restored to the family of Phinehas in the person of Zadok the priest, 1 Chronicles 6:50, in which it continued in the whole about 950 years. Probably the Maccabees were of the same family; but though this is not certain, there is no evidence against it. See Calmet. God therefore sufficiently fulfilled his promise;
14 Now the name of the Israelite that was slain, even that was slain with the (Pollux) Midianitish woman, was Zimri (Castor), the son of Salu, a prince of a chief house among the Simeonites.
15 And the name of the Midianitish woman that was slain was Cozbi (Pollux), the daughter of Zur; he was head over a (Gemini) people, and of a chief house in Midian.
16 And the (Shekinah) Lord spake unto (Ophiuchus) Moses, saying,
17 Vex the (Gemini) Midianites, and (Perseus) smite them:
18 For they vex you with their wiles, wherewith they have beguiled you in the matter of Peor, and in the matter of Cozbi (Pollux), the daughter of a prince of Midian, their sister, which was (Perseus) slain in the day of the plague for Peor's sake.
26:1 And it came to pass after the plague, that the (Shekinah) Lord spake unto (Ophiuchus) Moses and unto (Hercules) Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest, saying,
2 Take the sum of all the congregation of the (Gemini) children of Israel, from twenty years old and upward, throughout their fathers' house, all that are able to go to war in Israel.
3 And (Ophiuchus) Moses and (Hercules) Eleazar the priest (red radius) spake with them in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho, saying,
4 Take the sum of the (Gemini) people, from twenty years old and upward; as the (Shekinah) Lord commanded (Ophiuchus) Moses and the (Gemini) children of Israel, which went forth out of the land of Egypt.
5 Reuben, the eldest son of Israel: the (Gemini) children of Reuben; Hanoch, of whom cometh the family of the Hanochites: of Pallu, the family of the Palluites:
6 Of Hezron, the family of the Hezronites: of Carmi, the family of the Carmites.
7 These are the families of the Reubenites: and they that were numbered of them were forty and three thousand and seven hundred and thirty.
8 And the sons of Pallu; Eliab.
9 And the sons of Eliab; Nemuel, and Dathan, and Abiram. This is that Dathan and Abiram, which were famous in the congregation, who strove against Moses and against Aaron in the company of Korah, when they strove against the Lord:
10 And the (lunar) earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up together with Korah, when that company died, what time the (solar) fire devoured two hundred and fifty men: and they became a (Scorpio) sign.
11 Notwithstanding the (Gemini) children of Korah died not.
12 The (Gemini) sons of Simeon after their families: of Nemuel, the family of the Nemuelites: of Jamin, the family of the Jaminites: of Jachin, the family of the Jachinites:
13 Of Zerah, the family of the Zarhites: of Shaul, the family of the Shaulites.
14 These are the families of the Simeonites, twenty and two thousand and two hundred.
15 The (Gemini) children of Gad after their families: of Zephon, the family of the Zephonites: of Haggi, the family of the Haggites: of Shuni, the family of the Shunites:
16 Of Ozni, the family of the Oznites: of Eri, the family of the Erites:
17 Of Arod, the family of the Arodites: of Areli, the family of the Arelites.
18 These are the families of the (Gemini) children of Gad according to those that were numbered of them, forty thousand and five hundred.
19 The (Gemini) sons of Judah were Er and Onan: and Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan.
20 And the (Gemini) sons of Judah after their families were; of Shelah, the family of the Shelanites: of Pharez, the family of the Pharzites: of Zerah, the family of the Zarhites.
21 And the (Gemini) sons of Pharez were; of Hezron, the family of the Hezronites: of Hamul, the family of the Hamulites.
22 These are the families of Judah according to those that were numbered of them, threescore and sixteen thousand and five hundred.
23 Of the (Gemini) sons of Issachar after their families: of Tola, the family of the Tolaites: of Pua, the family of the Punites:
24 Of Jashub, the family of the Jashubites: of Shimron, the family of the Shimronites.
25 These are the families of Issachar according to those that were numbered of them, threescore and four thousand and three hundred.
26 Of the (Gemini) sons of Zebulun after their families: of Sered, the family of the Sardites: of Elon, the family of the Elonites: of Jahleel, the family of the Jahleelites.
27 These are the families of the Zebulunites according to those that were numbered of them, threescore thousand and five hundred.
28 The (Gemini) sons of Joseph after their families were Manasseh and Ephraim.
29 Of the (Gemini) sons of Manasseh: of Machir, the family of the Machirites: and Machir begat Gilead: of Gilead come the family of the Gileadites.
30 These are the (Gemini) sons of Gilead: of Jeezer, the family of the Jeezerites: of Helek, the family of the Helekites:
31 And of Asriel, the family of the Asrielites: and of Shechem, the family of the Shechemites:
32 And of Shemida, the family of the Shemidaites: and of Hepher, the family of the Hepherites.
33 And Zelophehad the son of Hepher had no sons, but daughters: and the names of the daughters of Zelophehad were Mahlah, and Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah.
34 These are the families of Manasseh, and those that were numbered of them, fifty and two thousand and seven hundred.
35 These are the (Gemini) sons of Ephraim after their families: of Shuthelah, the family of the Shuthalhites: of Becher, the family of the Bachrites: of Tahan, the family of the Tahanites.
36 And these are the (Gemini) sons of Shuthelah: of Eran, the family of the Eranites.
37 These are the families of the (Gemini) sons of Ephraim according to those that were numbered of them, thirty and two thousand and five hundred. These are the (Gemini) sons of Joseph after their families.
38 The (Gemini) sons of Benjamin after their families: of Bela, the family of the Belaites: of Ashbel, the family of the Ashbelites: of Ahiram, the family of the Ahiramites:
39 Of Shupham, the family of the Shuphamites: of Hupham, the family of the Huphamites.
40 And the (Gemini) sons of Bela were Ard and Naaman: of Ard, the family of the Ardites: and of Naaman, the family of the Naamites.
41 These are the (Gemini) sons of Benjamin after their families: and they that were numbered of them were forty and five thousand and six hundred.
42 These are the (Gemini) sons of Dan after their families: of Shuham, the family of the Shuhamites. These are the families of Dan after their families.
43 All the families of the Shuhamites, according to those that were numbered of them, were threescore and four thousand and four hundred.
44 Of the (Gemini) children of Asher after their families: of Jimna, the family of the Jimnites: of Jesui, the family of the Jesuites: of Beriah, the family of the Beriites.
45 Of the (Gemini) sons of Beriah: of Heber, the family of the Heberites: of Malchiel, the family of the Malchielites.
46 And the name of the daughter of Asher was Sarah.
47 These are the families of the (Gemini) sons of Asher according to those that were numbered of them; who were fifty and three thousand and four hundred.
48 Of the (Gemini) sons of Naphtali after their families: of Jahzeel, the family of the Jahzeelites: of Guni, the family of the Gunites:
49 Of Jezer, the family of the Jezerites: of Shillem, the family of the Shillemites.
50 These are the families of Naphtali according to their families: and they that were numbered of them were forty and five thousand and four hundred.
51 These were the numbered of the (Gemini) children of Israel, six hundred thousand and a thousand seven hundred and thirty.
52 And the (Shekinah) Lord spake unto (Ophiuchus) Moses, saying,
53 Unto these the land shall be divided for an inheritance according to the number of names.
54 To many thou shalt give the more inheritance, and to few thou shalt give the less inheritance: to every one shall his inheritance be given according to those that were numbered of him.
55 Notwithstanding the land shall be divided by lot: according to the names of the tribes of their (Gemini) fathers they shall inherit.
56 According to the lot shall the possession thereof be divided between many and few.
57 And these are they that were numbered of the (Gemini) Levites after their families: of Gershon, the family of the Gershonites: of Kohath, the family of the Kohathites: of Merari, the family of the Merarites.
58 These are the families of the Levites: the family of the Libnites, the family of the Hebronites, the family of the Mahlites, the family of the Mushites, the family of the Korathites. And Kohath begat Amram.
59 And the name of Amram's wife was Jochebed, the daughter of Levi, whom her mother bare to Levi in Egypt: and she bare unto Amram Aaron and (Ophiuchus) Moses, and Miriam their sister.
60 And unto Aaron was born Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.
61 And Nadab and Abihu died, when they offered strange (solar) fire before the (Shekinah) Lord.
62 And those that were numbered of them were twenty and three thousand, all males from a month old and upward: for they were not numbered among the (Gemini) children of Israel, because there was no inheritance given them among the (Gemini) children of Israel.
63 These are they that were numbered by (Ophiuchus) Moses and (Hercules) Eleazar the priest, who numbered the (Gemini) children of Israel in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho.
64 But among these there was not a man of them whom (Ophiuchus) Moses and (Hercules) Aaron the priest numbered, when they numbered the (Gemini) children of Israel in the wilderness of Sinai.
65 For the (Shekinah) Lord had said of them, They shall surely die in the wilderness. And there was not left a man of them, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun.
The Census Figures and Astronomy
In Genesis 5:23, we read that Enoch lived to be 365 years old. Since "a day is a year" (Num. 14:34; Ez. 4:6), we have 365 days (in a year). Jared lived to be 962 years old (Gen. 5:20). That is equal to the 584-day Venus synodic period + the 378-day Saturn's synodic period. Lamech's 777 years (Gen. 5:31) = Jupiter's 399 + Saturn's 378 synodic periods. In Exodus 38:24 we were given the cost of the Tabernacle -- "twenty nine talents" of gold -- the value of a lunar month -- 29 days -- and twice the value of the solar year -- "730 shekels" (365 x 2). By a happy "coincidence", the number 29 is also a quarter of the period of Mercury which is 116 days; while 73 is 1/5 of the synodical period of Earth (365) and 1/8 the synodical period of Venus (584).
But in Numbers 1 & 2, we come to Israel's census figures. Are there any other "coincidences" to be found? Benjamin's 35,400 happens to be the weak lunar year of 354 days. Issachar's 54,400 + Manasseh's 32,200 + Naphtali's 53,400 = 1400 = (2 x 584 Venus synodic period) + (2 x 116 Mercury synodic period). Zebulun's 57,400 + Simeon's 59,300 = 1167 which is 399 (Jupiter synodic period) + 378 (Saturn synodic period) + 390 (1/2 Mars synodic period). Issachar's 54,400 + Ephraim's 40,500 = 94,900. Naphtali's 53,400 + Asher's 41,500 = 94,900. Manasseh's 32,200 + Dan's 62,700 = 94,900. What's so special about 949? It happens to be Earth's synodical period (365) + Venus synodical period (584). Or it could also be equated to two Mercury synodic periods (2 x 116) + a Venus period (584) + 133 (1/3 Jupiter's period). Asher's 41,500 + Judah's 74,600 = 116,100 (Mercury). Naphtali's 53,400 + Dan's 62,700 = 116,100 (Mercury).
When we come to the census figures in Numbers 26, what do we find? Ephraim's 32,500 or 325 is 5/12 (5 x 65 = 325) the synodic period of Mars (12 x 65 = 780). Simeon's 22,200 + Asher's 53,400 is 756 -- twice Saturn's synodical period of 378. Also Issachar's 64,300 - Manasseh's 52,700 = 11600 which is the synodical period of Mercury (116). Notice also Ephraim's 32,500 + Gad's 40,500 = 73,000. This is twice the value of earth's solar year -- 730 (365 x 2). "You are this day as the stars of heaven for multitude" (Deut. 1:10; 1 Chr. 27:23; Jer. 33:22). Finally, Naphtali's 45,400 + Benjamin's 45,600 + Dan's 64,400 + Ephraim's 32,500 = 187,900. This sum happens to also be the sum of Mercury's synodical period (116) + Venus' synodical period (584) + Mars' synodical period (780) + Jupiter's synodical period (399). Furthermore, Kenan's age: 910 (Gen. 5:14) + Methuselah's age: 969 (Gen. 5:27) add up to 1879. Zebulun's 60,500 + Ephraim's 32,500 = Adam's 930 years (Gen. 5:5). Dan's 64,400 + Ephraim's 32,500 = Methuselah's 969 (Gen. 5:27).
27:1 Then came the (Gemini) daughters of Zelophehad, the son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, of the families of Manasseh the son of Joseph: and these are the names of his daughters; Mahlah, Noah, and Hoglah, and Milcah, and Tirzah.
2 And they stood before (Ophiuchus) Moses, and before (Hercules) Eleazar the priest, and before the (Cepheus & Perseus) princes and all the (Gemini) congregation, by the door of the (red radius) tabernacle of the congregation, saying,
3 Our father died in the wilderness, and he was not in the company of them that gathered themselves together against the Lord in the company of Korah; but died in his own sin, and had no (Gemini) sons.
4 Why should the name of our father be done away from among his family, because he hath no son? Give unto us therefore a possession among the (Gemini) brethren of our father.
5 And (Ophiuchus) Moses brought their cause before the (Shekinah) Lord.
6 And the (Shekinah) Lord spake unto (Ophiuchus) Moses, saying,
7 The (Gemini) daughters of Zelophehad speak right: thou shalt surely give them a possession of an inheritance among their father's (Gemini) brethren; and thou shalt cause the inheritance of their father to pass unto them.
8 And thou shalt (red radius) speak unto the (Gemini) children of Israel, saying, If a man die, and have no son, then ye shall cause his inheritance to pass unto his daughter.
9 And if he have no daughter, then ye shall give his inheritance unto his (Gemini) brethren.
10 And if he have no brethren, then ye shall give his inheritance unto his father's (Gemini) brethren.
11 And if his father have no (Gemini) brethren, then ye shall give his inheritance unto his kinsman that is next to him of his family, and he shall possess it: and it shall be unto the (Gemini) children of Israel a statute of judgment, as the (Shekinah) Lord commanded (Ophiuchus) Moses.
12 And the (Shekinah) Lord said unto (Ophiuchus) Moses, Get thee up into this mount Abarim, and (lunar eyeballs) see the land which I have given unto the (Gemini) children of Israel.
13 And when thou hast (lunar eyeballs) seen it, thou also shalt be gathered unto thy (Gemini) people, as Aaron thy brother was gathered.
14 For ye rebelled against my commandment in the desert of Zin, in the strife of the congregation, to sanctify me at the water before their (lunar) eyes: that is the water of Meribah in Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin.
15 And (Ophiuchus) Moses spake unto the (Shekinah) Lord, saying,
16 Let the (Shekinah) Lord, the God of the spirits of all flesh, set a man over the congregation,
17 Which may go out before them, and which may go in before them, and which may lead them out, and which may bring them in; that the congregation of the (Shekinah) Lord be not as (Aries) sheep which have no shepherd.
Going in and out before them is taken from the practice of the shepherds in eastern countries, who walk before their flocks, when they lead them, either to their pasture, or from their pasture towards their sheepfolds. The expression is frequently used metaphorically to the government of princes over the people, leading them to war, or otherwise (Deut. 27:6; 31:2; Judges 2:15; 11:3; 2 Sam. 3:25; 2 Chr. 1:10; Ps. 60:10, etc.
18 And the (Shekinah) Lord said unto (Ophiuchus) Moses, Take thee (Perseus) Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the (Milky Way) spirit, and lay thine (Castor) hand upon him;
19 And set him before (Hercules) Eleazar the priest, and before all the (Gemini) congregation; and give him a charge in their (lunar eyeballs) sight.
20 And thou shalt put some of thine honour (glory or illumination -- Ex. 34:29; Deut. 34:9) upon him, that all the congregation of the (Gemini) children of Israel may be obedient.
21 And he shall stand before (Hercules) Eleazar the priest, who shall ask counsel for him after the judgment of Urim before the (Shekinah) Lord: at his word shall they go out, and at his word they shall come in, both he, and all the (Gemini) children of Israel with him, even all the congregation.
22 And (Ophiuchus) Moses did as the (Shekinah) Lord commanded him: and he took (Perseus) Joshua, and set him before (Hercules) Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation:
23 And he laid his (lunar) hands upon him, and gave him a charge, as the (Shekinah) Lord commanded by the hand of (Ophiuchus) Moses.
"Till very recent times, the country people in some parts of Ireland and Scotland, and even of England, had the custom of celebrating the return of midsummernight on the 24th of June, by dancing together round a large fire lighted on some high hill, or running three times through the fire to secure the fulfilment of a wish. These midsummer-night dances, Which were known in Britain as Bel-tanes, are nothing but the remains of an earlier form of Baal-worship" (Scandinavian History by Professor Otte, p. 5).
What Was BALAAM'S Sin?
After several wonderful prophecies concerning Israel's future, we read: “Balaam arose, and went back to his place; and Balak also went his way” (Numbers 24:25). One would think that Balaam was worthy of praise -- if this were the only Scripture on the topic. But this is not the end of the story. All scripture is given by inspiration of God and any particular scripture cannot be “privately” understood (2 Peter 1:20). The Bible is written “here a little and there a little” (Isaiah 28:10, 13).
New Testament Key
In the message of Jesus Christ to the seven eras of God’s Church, we find a special warning to the church at Pergamos. This church was not perfect before God.
“But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaarn, who taught Balak to cast a stumbling block before the children of Israel” (Rev. 2:14). God told this church to repent (verse 16) or he would come and fight against the rebellious who held such doctrines. What was this doctrine of Balaam? Notice, Balaam taught Balak to cast a stumbling block before the children of Israel. In other words Balaam taught Balak how to cause the children of Israel to CURSE THEMSELVES. Balaam knew that Israel was blessed if they continued to obey God. He also knew that if they would sin, they would come under a curse of sin. So Balaam cleverly told Balak how to cause Israel to BRING CURSES UPON THEMSELVES by sins!
What sin did Balaam teach Balak? “To eat things sacrificed to IDOLS, and to commit FORNICATION ” (same verse).
This same account is also recorded in the book of Peter. Peter records that in apostolic days there were going to be false prophets just as in ancient times. These false prophets were sensual, lustful and beguiled unstable souls. They “have forsaken the right way, and have gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness” (2 Peter 2:15).
This verse gives more information about the sin of Balaam. Balaam forsook the right way and loved the wages of unrighteousness. Unrighteousness is breaking God’s commandments (Ps. 119:172, Deut. 6:25). Balaam showed Balak how to cause the people of Israel to disobey God’s commandments. The specific commandments that they disobeyed concerned IDOLATRY and FORNICATION. Let’s go back to Jude 11. “Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward and perished in the gainsaying of Core.” Balaam was greedy for money, for a reward, and because of that he committed great sin and led others to sin also.
This is what Balaam probably told Balak: “I cannot curse the Children of Israel, since God has commanded me not to curse them. But, there is a way that they can bring curses upon themselves. There is a way that will bring retribution, punishment, and the absolute displeasure of God upon them. Seduce them to disobey their God and His commands. If they desert the true God, and follow your religious practices they will bring this curse upon themselves. You must be subtle in causing them to follow your religion. They have been warned beforehand that they are not to learn the ways of the heathen about them -- that they are not to learn how the other nations serve their gods and then do likewise.
“Here is the way that you can cause them to sin. Take your most beautiful women and cause them to seduce the young Israelite men. After these Israelites are ‘hooked,’ have your women lead these men into following your religious practices. These young women can then subtly influence their new husbands into following their religion. Get them to believing each one is entitled to his own religion -- that God understands if they disobey Him so long as they keep peace and harmony in the home. By doing this they will think they are ‘free’ and can really enjoy life! After all, Balak, doesn’t the whole nation of Moab enjoy these religious practices? This is something that is acceptable and right! Everyone does it! It is popular and thc accepted thing.”
This is exactly what the Bible says Balaam did -- read it again in Revelation, Peter and Jude! It is the old story of PERMISSIVENESS to deceive people into believing that they can have permission to disobey God, and get away with it. That it is not necessary to obey God. God does not see or know, and anyway Jesus Christ lived a good life for us. Therefore we can live as we think best. We need not obey God since Jesus Christ lived that perfect life for us. It is the same siren song of destruction that is being preached in most of the pulpits of our own land today!
The Account of Josephus
There is even an historical account beside the Bible of just what did happen. It is found in the works of the Flavius Josephus who lived during the time of the Apostles.
“But Balak being very angry that the Israelites were not cursed, sent away Balaam without thinking him worthy of any honor. Whereupon, when he (Balaam) was just upon his journey, in order to pass the Euphrates, he sent for Balak, and for the princes of the Midianites, and spake thus to them: “O Balak, and you Midianites that are here present (for I am obliged even without the will of God to gratify you), it is true no entire destruction can seize upon the nation of the Hebrews, neither by war, nor by plague, nor by scarcity of the fruits of the earth, nor can any other unexpected accident be their entire ruin; for the providence of God is concerned to preserve them from such a misfortune; nor will it permit any such calamity to come upon them whereby they may all perish; but some small misfortunes, and those for a short time, whereby they may appear to be brought low, may still befall them: but after that they will flourish again, to the terror of those that brought those mischiefs upon them. So that if you have a mind to gain a victory over them for a short space of time, you will obtain it by following my directions; Do you therefore set out the handsomest of such of your DAUGHTERS AS ARE MOST EMINENT FOR BEAUTY, and proper to force and conquer the modesty of those that behold them, and these decked and trimmed to the highest degree you are able. Then do you send them to be near the Israelites’ camp, and give them in charge, that when the young men of the Hebrews desire their company, they allow it them; and when they see that they are enamoured of them, let them take their leaves; and if they entreat them to stay, let them not give their consent till they have persuaded them to Leave off their obedience to their own laws and the worship of that God who established them, and to worship the gods of the Midianites and Moabites; FOR BY THIS MEANS GOD WILL BE ANGRY AT THEM.’ Accordingly, when Balaam had suggested this counsel to them, he went his way” (Antiquities of the Jews, Book IV, Chapter 6).
Josephus continued in the same chapter to show what followed. “So the women, as soon as they perceived they had made them their slaves and had caught them with their conversation began to speak thus to them...” (Section 7 ) . Then continues the suggestion by these young women to cause them to commit fornication and to take part in the pagan idolatrous rites of the Moabites. Many other details of this same event are also recorded in this same chapter of Josephus.
Bible Account of Israel’s Sin
In the Bible account of Numbers, the story appears to close at the end of Chapter 24. W e have now seen that the story did not end there. Notice, now, Numbers, chapter 25, where the story is continued: “While Israel dwelt in Shittim the people began to play the harlot with the daughters of Moab. These invited the people to the sacrifices of their gods and the people ate, and bowed down to their gods. So Israel yoked themselves to Baal of Peor. AND THE ANGER OF THE LORD WAS KINDLED AGAINST ISRAEL” (Numbers 25.1-3).
As a result of this terrible sin, those who had yoked themselves to these pagan idolatrous rites were killed. God also brought plagues against the Israelites and twenty-four thousand of them died altogether (verse 9).This great sin had become so common in Israel that a man of Israel brazenly brought a Midianite woman to his tent in the sight of Moses. One of the Levitical priests followed the two into an inner room and pierced through both of them with a spear. These two were slain in the very act of defying the Living God by disobeying His commands against fornication. The story continues in chapter 31. The children of Israel warred against Midian. The five kings of the Midianites were slain; however, some of the women were permitted to live. “Moses said to them, ‘Have you let all the women live?’ Behold, these caused the people, by the counsel of Balaam, to act treacherously against the Lord in the matter of Peor, and so the plague came among the congregation of the Lord”
(Numbers 31:15-16).
Balaam’s Lack of Character
Notice the retrogression of character in Balaam. At first he listened to suggestions that he knew were wrong, then he weakened, and asked God a second time if he might go with the princes of Moab. He knew he sinned, but went along anyway. He was still afraid of God enough that he said God's words, yet he tried to get around God. He obeyed in the letter but did not obey in the spirit! Finally, he rebelled completely and deliberately told them how they could ensnare Israel.
This man, who knew God’s will, ended up by being destroyed by the very people he one time blessed. “And they also slew Balaam the son of Peor with a sword” (Numbers 31:8). “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall” (I Cor.10:12).
Beware of Modern “Balaams”
There is another important lesson from this account which we should understand. Balaam taught Balak how to cause Israel to sin and disobey God. He showed Balak how to deceive them into thinking that they had FREEDOM or LICENSE to disobey God, that it was PERMISSIBLE to disobey God. That is the same sin that most of the ministers of our land are following today. The ministers are telling the people that it is all right to sin. They have PERMISSION to sin, to disobey God and His commands. They may not say so in these exact terms, possibly, but that is what it amounts to. They tell people that they may have freedom in disobeying God. The ministers, for hire (just like Balaam), are telling the people to break God’s commands and no harm will
come. They condone and permit adultery and fornication in their congregations. They even try to join in marriage people who are already married to others.
Some ministers are even suggesting that it is all right to commit fornication before marriage. They teach the people that it is all right to commit idolatry, though they do not call the false pictures of their Jesus that. They teach the people that it is all right to commit spiritual fornication. Spiritual fornication is an illicit affair with the pagan practices of the heathen. These pagan practices of the heathen have come down to us under different names. Today the pagan Brumalia is called Christmas. The pagan rites of fertility of the ancient goddess Astarte now masquerades under the name of Easter. The devilish and satanic teachings concerning unclean spirits and witchcraft are carried down today in our Hallowe’en. Lent is weeping for Tammuz.