Baal Worship at Peor The men of Israel

Baal Worship at Peor • The men of Israel become a WHORE with the daughters of Moab. • This ugly word is more than a figure of speech when it refers to the worship of a fertility God such as Baal of Peor. (v. 3) • In order to gain a favorable response from Baal, devotees engaged in sexual orgies. (v. 6) • Who is Baal?

• The CHIEF Canaanite god, often associated with a particular place. • Baal was a “fertility” god • He had the horns of a bull on his helmet • Held a club in one hand a spear in another. • He was believed to exercise his power each year in the autumn and winter rains.

Today’s Idol Worship

God’s Response to IDOLATRY • The fierce anger of the LORD turned on ISRAEL (v. 4) • Kill every man who has yoked themselves to Baal of Peor. (v. 5) • Moses describes this a PLAGUE (v. 8) • The total death count is 24, 000 (v. 9)

• • • Reuben 46, 500 – 43, 730 Simeon 59, 300 – 22, 200 Gad 40, 500 – 45, 650 Judah 76, 500 – 74, 600 Issachar 64, 300 – 54, 400 Zebulun 60, 500 – 57, 400 Ephraim 32, 500 – 40, 500 Benjaimn 45, 600 – 35, 400 Manasseh 52, 700 – 32, 200 Dan 64, 400 – 62, 700 Naphtali 45, 400 – 53, 400 Asher 53, 400 – 41, 500 Census of the New Generation Numbers 26 Total Change: - 0. 3%

The Daughters of Zelophehad • What happens when a father dies and there are no MALE heirs? • What happens to the Land? Inheritance? • The daughters of Zelophehad approach Moses not with complaint or grumbling but rather a humble demeanor to seek his counsel. • The LORD hears their request and answers with grace and mercy • He has our good at heart in all his teaching

Joshua to Succeed Moses Let the LORD, the God of the spirits of all the flesh, appoint a man over the congregation who shall go out before them and come in before them, who shall lead them out and bring them in, that the congregation of the LORD may not be as sheep that have no shepherd”…take Joshua, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay your hand on him. (27: 15 – 16, 18)

• • Israel’s Various Offerings (ch. 28 – 29) Daily Offerings (28: 1 -8) Sabbath Offerings (28: 9 -10) Monthly Offerings (28: 11 -15) Passover Offerings (28: 16 – 25) Feast of Weeks Offerings (28: 26 – 31) Feast of Trumpets Offerings (29: 1 -6) Day of Atonement (29: 7 – 11) Feast of Booths Offerings (29: 12 – 40)

Men and Women Vows (ch. 30) • Vows made to God-made in His name-are to be carried out faithfully • When these vows are not fulfilled, they reflect poorly on God’s name and shame His people. • These verses highlight the relationships between fathers/daughters and husbands and wives. • Decisions are often not simply our own; they certainly affect other people-especially in a family