The Sin of Israel At Shittim, and the Judgment of God
W. Jones. Numbers 25:1-9 And Israel stayed in Shittim, and the people began to commit prostitution with the daughters of Moab.… I. THE SIN OF THE ISRAELITES AT SHITTIM. 1. The sin itself. (1) Spiritual fornication, or idolatry (Hosea 2.). (2) Physical fornication. 2. The origin of their sin (Numbers 31:16; Revelation 2:14). 3. The instruments of their sin: Moab and Midian. 4. The occasion of their sin. (1) Their abode at Shittim. They were in the neighbourhood of sinful associations and corrupting influences. "Near a fire, a serpent, and a wicked woman, no man can long be in safety."(2) Their lack of occupation. Idleness leads to vice and mischief. II. THE JUDGMENT OF GOD UPON THE ISRAELITES ON ACCOUNT OF THEIR SIN. 1. The judgment inflicted immediately by God. In some form or other punishment ever follows closely upon the heels of sin. 2. The judgment inflicted by Moses and the judges by the command of God. (1) Its nature : Death. (2) Its publicity. (3) Its executioners.Lessons: 1. The secret of the security of the people of God: faithfulness. 2. The danger of those temptations which appeal to our self-indulgence or love of pleasure. 3. The terribleness of the Divine anger. 4. The solicitude with which we should guard against arousing this anger towards us. Sin calls it forth, therefore shun sin. 5. The earnestness with which we should seek the mercy and the protection of God. (W. Jones.) Parallel Verses KJV: And Israel abode in Shittim, and the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab. WEB: Israel stayed in Shittim; and the people began to play the prostitute with the daughters of Moab: