Israel has just finish defeating the two powerful kings of the Amorites, Sihon and Og of Bashan; they were the dreaded enemies of both Moab and Midian. Now that we were able to destroy the Amorites so easily, Moab and Midian both fear that they will be the next to fall to us.
Instead of fighting us directly, they have put together a plan to undermine Israel’s son’s relationship with Yehovah. After a summer campaign on the east side of the Jordan we have gathered at Shittim on the plain of Moab to spend the winter before we start a new campaign on the west side of the Jordan in the spring.
It appears to me that some of Israel (remember they are the ezrach men) have become complacent and perhaps willing to covenant with our enemies instead of destroying them. Some of us began to take their daughters, eat their meat which has not been slaughtered to Yehovah and, worst of all, bowed down and served other elohim (lawmakers and judges) besides Yehovah.
And he, Israel abode in Shittim, and the people became wanton for Moab’s daughters [×‘× ×•×ª, benot], and they [Moab] called to the people to slaughter [לזבחי, zeh-vach] to their elohim (lawmakers and judges), and they did eat; and the people bowed down to their elohim. (Num 25:2-3)
Incidentally, eating meat slaughtered to other elohim is what we do when we buy beef, lamb or goat at the grocery store.
Big, big mistake! Yehovah (40 years before) said, Continue reading Zimri And Cozbi
