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Encamped in Shittim, east of the Jordan and almost directly across the river from Jericho, Israel’s men managed to find time to indulge their sexual passion with the local women of Moab. On the verge of Israel’s entering the land and thus realizing the fulfillment of God’s promises to the fathers, there was excitement and stimulation in the air. But it was excitement engendered by Moabite maidens and not by the mighty workings of God. And the sin was not merely of a sexual nature (v.1). It also included apostasy (vv.2-3).
Interestingly, Nu 31:16 informs the reader that the impetus behind the scheme of the Moabite seductresses was none other than Balaam of chs. 22-24. Balaam was prepared to share his services either for a fee (chs. 22-24) or gratuitously (ch. 25). He was the kind of person who refused to quit. His malice having been stymied in one instance, he soon stumbled upon another opportunity to express it. Where the potency of spell failed, possibly the potency of seduction would succeed.
So brazen was the sin of the people that one of them was bold enough even to engage in sexual intercourse at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting (v.6). Phinehas the priest, grandson of Aaron, was the person most outraged by this over blasphemy. On earlier occasions it had been Moses who made atonement for sinful Israel (Ex 32:30), but here Moses stood in the shadow of his grandnephew (v.13). Moses talked (v.5), but Phinehas acted (vv.7-8). Phinehas was zealous for the honor of his God (v.13).
Again Numbers makes the point that God’s people need not fear the external enemy. Neither hex nor invasion may overcome them. The real threats to their well-being and destiny were within and were of a seductive nature.