Topical Bible: Fear of God: Phinehas, in Turning Away the Anger of God at the Time of the Plague

◄ Fear of God: Phinehas, in Turning Away the Anger of God at the Time of the Plague ►

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The account of Phinehas, the grandson of Aaron, is a profound illustration of the fear of God manifesting in zealous action to uphold His holiness. This narrative is found in the Book of Numbers, specifically in Numbers 25, where Phinehas plays a pivotal role in halting a devastating plague that had befallen the Israelites due to their sin.

Context and Background

The Israelites, during their wilderness journey, encamped in the plains of Moab. Here, they began to engage in idolatry and immorality with the Moabite women, leading to the worship of Baal of Peor. This apostasy provoked the LORD's anger, resulting in a severe plague that struck the people. The LORD commanded Moses to take decisive action against the leaders of this rebellion to turn away His fierce anger.

Phinehas' Zeal for God's Honor

Amidst this crisis, Phinehas, the son of Eleazar and grandson of Aaron the priest, distinguished himself by his zealous response. When an Israelite man blatantly brought a Midianite woman into the camp, Phinehas rose in righteous indignation. Numbers 25:7-8 recounts, "On seeing this, Phinehas son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, rose from the assembly, took a spear in his hand, followed the Israelite into the tent, and drove the spear through both of them—the Israelite and the woman—through her belly. So the plague against the Israelites was halted."

Phinehas' act was not one of personal vengeance but a demonstration of his profound fear of God and commitment to His covenant. His actions were motivated by a desire to restore the sanctity of Israel's relationship with God, which had been defiled by idolatry and immorality.

Divine Approval and Covenant of Peace

The LORD's response to Phinehas' zeal is recorded in Numbers 25:10-13 : "The LORD said to Moses, 'Phinehas son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, has turned My wrath away from the Israelites, for he was zealous for My zeal among them, so that I did not consume the Israelites in My zeal. Therefore declare that I hereby grant him My covenant of peace. It will be a covenant of perpetual priesthood for him and his descendants, because he was zealous for his God and made atonement for the Israelites.'"

This divine commendation underscores the importance of the fear of God as a catalyst for righteous action. Phinehas' zeal is portrayed as aligning with God's own zeal, thus averting further divine judgment. The covenant of peace granted to Phinehas and his descendants signifies God's approval and the enduring legacy of his priestly line.

Theological Implications

Phinehas' account highlights the fear of God as a reverent awe that compels believers to uphold His holiness and justice. It serves as a reminder that God's covenant people are called to live distinctively, resisting the allure of idolatry and immorality. The narrative also illustrates the principle that God's wrath can be turned away through acts of atonement and intercession, prefiguring the ultimate atonement accomplished through Jesus Christ.

In summary, Phinehas exemplifies the fear of God through his zealous defense of divine holiness, resulting in the cessation of a deadly plague and the establishment of a covenant of peace. His actions underscore the critical role of the fear of God in maintaining the purity and integrity of the covenant community.

Nave's Topical Index

Numbers 25:11
Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, has turned my wrath away from the children of Israel, while he was zealous for my sake among them, that I consumed not the children of Israel in my jealousy.
Nave's Topical Index

Numbers 25:6-15
And, behold, one of the children of Israel came and brought to his brothers a Midianitish woman in the sight of Moses, and in the sight of all the congregation of the children of Israel, who were weeping before the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Moab is My Washpot
... devoured them, had not the holy zeal of Phinehas turned away ... diadem, a crown of glory
in the hand of our God. ... you have a heritage among those who fear the Lord ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/moab is my washpot.htm

Homiletical.
... The wrath of Phinehas was justifiable. ... of this, certain wanton women, forgetful of
the fear of God ... flung their coverings from their heads, despising God, and in ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/basil/basil letters and select works/iv homiletical.htm

The Doctrine
... no other security of Abraham against the fear of mischief ... is, without any variableness
or shadow of turning, but perfectly ... cannot as well cease to be God as to ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the doctrine.htm