The parasha for this Shabbat is entitled Pinchas, named after a man some would suggest “took the law into his own hands”. It covers Numbers chapters 25-29. In the previous chapters Balak, the king of Moab, attempted to hire the prophet Bilaam to curse Israel. This is, of course, something God would never allow, since He had already blessed Israel. In fact, over four centuries earlier, in a covenant He made with Abraham, God promised to bless those who bless our people and also promised to curse those who curse us. That short-lived alliance between Balak and Bilaam was doomed to failure. Since nothing would be gained by it, and since this man Bilaam had no integrity, you could say it was a “non-prophet” venture.

But Bilaam had another idea. We find out later in Scripture[1] that he suggested to Balak that the people of Israel could actually bring God’s curse on themselves, if they could somehow be enticed to worship other gods – an act of disloyalty and betrayal. So here in Numbers 25 we read that some beautiful Moabite women were sent to allure the Israeli men to join them in a local sacrifice to the Ba’al at Peor. Canaanite religious ceremonies were highly sexual in nature and, sadly, many Israeli men joined in the ritual, infuriating the God who had just delivered us from four hundred years of Egyptian bondage. God commanded Moses to slay the leaders of the rebellion, and He sent a plague among the people. 24,000 men died that day. It was a horrible, grievous day in Israel.

Yet, as though it meant nothing, one thoughtless, hard-hearted and brazen Israeli man brought a Midianite woman into his tent right in front of the whole assembly who had gathered at the Tent of Meeting to mourn. That was the last straw! Aaron’s grandson, Pinchas (Phineas) picked up a spear, went into that tent and pierced them both through (presumably while they were engaged in the illicit activity). By our laws today, Pinchas would have been imprisoned for murder, having killed the two people, despite their moral filth. What was God’s response? He praised Pinchas for having been as zealous for God’s honor as was God Himself. Pinchas turned away God’s wrath and saved our people. In return, God established a perpetual priesthood for Pinchas’ family line. In fact, he is remembered forever with honor in Psalm 106:28-31.

Chapter 26 tells of the taking of a second census of Israel, and the number is almost the same as at the previous census in Exodus 30: 601,730 men of eligible fighting age (20 years old and upward). Perhaps you’ve always wondered why it was okay to take this census, but centuries later in the days of King David’s decline, the taking of a census brought God’s judgment on Israel. There is a two-fold answer: First, God actually commanded this census be taken. It was for the purpose of establishing the size and scope of Israel’s army. In the days to come, our people would face military conflict with Canaanites and Philistines in the process of taking possession of the Land – also based on the commandment of God. Second, David’s census not only wasn’t done at God’s command (according to 1 Chronicles 21 it was Satan who incited David), but appears to have been ill-advised (based on Joab’s reaction), and was less about security and more about David’s own pride. David’s census represented a presumption. In Exodus 30, when God commanded the census, it demonstrated His ownership of the people, since a ransom was to be brought for each man to the Lord. The point is that Israel belonged to Adonai, not to David.

In chapter 27, we are introduced to the daughters of Zelophehad. An important land inheritance matter was at issue. Since no sons were born to their father, these daughters needed to press their case for land allotment. God answers that their case is just – thus setting the precedent that in the absence of sons, daughters were to receive the inheritance, and in the absence of no children, brothers to receive the inheritance. It’s a shame that Victorian England did not take this aspect of the Torah to heart. Often in such circumstances women were left nearly penniless and vulnerable. This is the unfortunate circumstance of the Dashwood women in Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility. Some argue that the Old Testament laws were dismissive of women, I see here strong evidence to the contrary.

Also in chapter 27 God commands Moses to publicly commission Joshua as his successor, and Moses complies. God and Moses apparently had the same idea as to who it should be. Joshua had already proven himself loyal to Moses, and a true believer in God’s promises. He also demonstrated the willingness to take a righteous but unpopular stand. A good leader must have loyalty, humility and courage. Joshua was the right man to succeed Moses!

Chapters 28 and 29 include a reiteration and exhortation to observe the festivals, and there is special emphasis placed on the Feast of Tabernacles. Considering that Sukkot is the one Feast that all the nations of the world will be required to observe during Messiah’s Thousand-Year Reign on Earth, it shouldn’t surprise us that more is said of it here. It is THE Feast, also known as Z’man Simchateinu – the Season of Our Rejoicing. It anticipates the great day, announced from Heaven to John, when, “the Tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them. And He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.” And He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new!” (Revelation 21:3-5)

But let me conclude our talk this morning with a few thoughts about Israel’s infidelity and the tragedy at Peor, and specifically Pinchas’ actions.

1. The moral failure of Israel in this incident is just one more in a long series of sins and rebellions as recorded in BaMidbar– the Book of Numbers. You have to appreciate the honesty of the Scriptures. We may come off looking very bad at times, but this is the stuff that separates history from mythology. I for one am thankful even for the bad examples God saw fit to include for our warning and instruction. But by all means, let us learn from this painful chapter in our history never to betray God or Messiah Yeshua, no matter how enticing the temptation. No compromise with the world!
2. Pinchas’ zeal was with knowledge. Yet zeal without knowledgeis an all- too-familiar phenomenon among religious people. When tempted to become angry, we need to slow down and ask ourselves honestly this question: Just whose honor is it that we are defending: God’s or our own? On the one hand we have Paul attesting that the Orthodox Jews of his day had “zeal, but not according to knowledge” (Romans 10:2) and we see in the Book of Acts that their zeal without knowledge often resulted in violent outbursts. But it cuts both ways. In Luke 9:51-56, for example, we read about James and John wanting to call fire down from Heaven to destroy Samaria because the Samaritans wouldn’t make accommodations for their Rabbi. Yeshua rebuked His disciples for this vengeful attitude.

I don’t doubt for a moment that there are those among the ultra-orthodox who view Pinchas as the justification for their violence against Messianic Jews. Yes, Pinchas was a hero among our people, but this particular story needs to be told with caution and in context. Pinchas’ action was extreme, but so was the situation. We must not condone sinful men using it to justify unwarranted actions of violence against those with whom they disagree. Good intentions do not justify bad actions.

But we should be zealous for the things of God. Pinchas’ loyalty to God and disgust for sin earned him a covenant of peace with the Almighty. Let us learn to love what God loves, and abhor what He abhors. And may He give us great zeal, but always accompanied by knowledge and wisdom.