Suppose someone asked you to make a list of biblical heroes.
David would certainly make the list, along with the likes of Moses, Abraham,
and of course Paul. Of the many heroes that could be named, Phinehas would
probably not make the list. I’m sure few Christians have heard of him. It’s
quite likely that fewer still know what he did. Until about a week ago I was
the same. I could not have told you a single thing about the man. Yet, the past
few days God has been using this brief story tucked away in the book of Numbers
to move me in a profound way.
Phinehas’s story begins and ends within the span of about 17 verses in Numbers 25. The scene is set with the Israelites living in Shittim. This particular time in history is certainly not one of their prouder moments. Israelite men began to sleep with foreign women. Israelite families began to worship Baal. And a deadly plague had broken out in the camp. I can only imagine the grief Moses must have felt when he heard the news. He immediately ordered the execution of all of those who had worshipped Baal and yoked themselves to the foreign gods of the women of the land desperately trying to stop the plague. Despite this drastic action the plague was not stayed. Thousands were dying.
While Moses and the leaders were meeting to mourn and discuss the best course of action Phinehas noticed an Israelite man taking a Midianite woman back to his tent. Phinehas rose from the congregation, picked up a spear, and followed the two into their tent. Without hesitation, Phinehas put the spear through the belly of the Israelite man and the Midianite woman killing them both. The plague stopped.
This story has some profound implications for us today. As far as we know Phinehas was not in any position of leadership, yet he refused to sit passively and watch the enemy wreak havoc on his people. Phinehas rose up, took responsibility, and killed the activity of the enemy in the camp. While the other Israelites had decided to let the leaders, Moses and Aaron, take care of the problem, Phinehas recognized that he was a man of significance and was put in a unique opportunity to make a difference. Because of that his name has been recorded in Numbers and briefly in Psalm 106.
It is not hard to see the many ways we have allowed the enemy to wreak havoc in our families, communities, and nation. Stories of death and brokenness are ubiquitous. Fear, hopelessness, and despair have become constant companions for even the people of God. We pray and hope God does something. We sit passively waiting on politicians and leaders to change things. Yet, I sometimes wonder if God isn’t waiting on us. Have we not been commissioned with the same power and authority that Jesus had? Have we not been given everything we need for life and godliness? Have we not been blessed with every blessing in Heavenly places?
As followers of Jesus we are all called to be plague stoppers. What are the areas of your life that you need to take responsibility for? Your family? Workplace? Community? May we no longer allow the enemy to intimidate us. Passivity is not a fruit of the spirit. God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power, love, and a sound mind. The end has already been written and victory is assured. Let the Phinehas’s come forth!
Phinehas’s story begins and ends within the span of about 17 verses in Numbers 25. The scene is set with the Israelites living in Shittim. This particular time in history is certainly not one of their prouder moments. Israelite men began to sleep with foreign women. Israelite families began to worship Baal. And a deadly plague had broken out in the camp. I can only imagine the grief Moses must have felt when he heard the news. He immediately ordered the execution of all of those who had worshipped Baal and yoked themselves to the foreign gods of the women of the land desperately trying to stop the plague. Despite this drastic action the plague was not stayed. Thousands were dying.
While Moses and the leaders were meeting to mourn and discuss the best course of action Phinehas noticed an Israelite man taking a Midianite woman back to his tent. Phinehas rose from the congregation, picked up a spear, and followed the two into their tent. Without hesitation, Phinehas put the spear through the belly of the Israelite man and the Midianite woman killing them both. The plague stopped.
This story has some profound implications for us today. As far as we know Phinehas was not in any position of leadership, yet he refused to sit passively and watch the enemy wreak havoc on his people. Phinehas rose up, took responsibility, and killed the activity of the enemy in the camp. While the other Israelites had decided to let the leaders, Moses and Aaron, take care of the problem, Phinehas recognized that he was a man of significance and was put in a unique opportunity to make a difference. Because of that his name has been recorded in Numbers and briefly in Psalm 106.
It is not hard to see the many ways we have allowed the enemy to wreak havoc in our families, communities, and nation. Stories of death and brokenness are ubiquitous. Fear, hopelessness, and despair have become constant companions for even the people of God. We pray and hope God does something. We sit passively waiting on politicians and leaders to change things. Yet, I sometimes wonder if God isn’t waiting on us. Have we not been commissioned with the same power and authority that Jesus had? Have we not been given everything we need for life and godliness? Have we not been blessed with every blessing in Heavenly places?
As followers of Jesus we are all called to be plague stoppers. What are the areas of your life that you need to take responsibility for? Your family? Workplace? Community? May we no longer allow the enemy to intimidate us. Passivity is not a fruit of the spirit. God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power, love, and a sound mind. The end has already been written and victory is assured. Let the Phinehas’s come forth!
