Phinehas

Preparing for the Promised Land

  1. Lineage – Exodus 6:16-27, Levi had Kohath, who had Amram, had Aaron, hadEleazar. Eleazar married a daughter of Putiel and had Phinehas. Thus Phinehas was of the houses of the Levites.
  • Uncles NadabAbihu would have been proud, but they weren’t there after while.
  • Uncles NadabAbihu marked the family by doing what they had no authority to do.
  • Grandma Elisheba could remind Phinehas of his great uncle Korah’s rebellion.
  • God destroyed two of his uncles & one great uncle because of their rebellion.
  1. When Phinehas Saw it…Numbers 25:1 Now Israel remained in Acacia Grove, and the people began to commit harlotry with the women of Moab. 2 They invited the people to the sacrifices of their gods, and the people ate and bowed down to their gods. 3 So Israel was joined to Baal of Peor, and the anger of the Lord was aroused against Israel. 4 Then the Lord said to Moses, "Take all the leaders of the people and hang the offenders before the Lord, out in the sun, that the fierce anger of the Lord may turn away from Israel." 5 So Moses said to the judges of Israel, "Every one of you kill his men who were joined to Baal of Peor." 6 And indeed, one of the children of Israel came and presented to his brethren a Midianite woman in the sight of Moses and in the sight of all the congregation of the children of Israel, who were weeping at the door of the tabernacle of meeting. 7 Now when Phinehas the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, saw it, he rose from among the congregation and took a javelin in his hand; 8 and he went after the man of Israel into the tent and thrust both of them through, the man of Israel, and the woman through her body. So the plague was stopped among the children of Israel… 13 and it shall be to him and his descendants after him a covenant of an everlasting priesthood, because he was zealous for his God, and made atonement for the children of Israel.'"

  • The people rebelled against God
  • God said to kill the offenders
  • Moses gave the command
  • Moses & people at door of Tabernacle crying
  • A leader flaunted his sin
  • Phinehas obeyed the Lord
  • 24,000 died in the plague
  • Was there shock & anger?

  • Were people in terror and grief?

  1. The Scourge of Baal of Peor- Ps 106:28 They joined themselves also to Baal of Peor, and ate sacrifices made to the dead. 29 Thus they provoked Him to anger with their deeds, and the plague broke out among them. 30 Then Phinehas stood up and intervened, and the plague was stopped. 31 And that was accounted to him for righteousness to all generations forevermore.

  • Horrible deeds of rebellion
  • Wonderful deeds of obedience
  • God notes this and is pleased
  • God remembers forever
  • “Phinehas stood up and intervened”
  • Would you?

  1. Warring with the Midianites- Numbers 31:5 … 6 Then Moses sent them to the war, one thousand from each tribe; he sent them to the war with Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest, with the holy articles and the signal trumpets in his hand. 7 And they warred against the Midianites, just as the Lord commanded Moses, and they killed all the males…

  • Who brought the sin to Israel?
  • The Midianites
  • Balaam, son of Beor
  • Who stopped the plague?
  • Who better to lead the cleanup?

  1. Altar by the Jordan - Joshua 22:10 And when they came to the region of the Jordan which is in the land of Canaan, the children of Reuben, the children of Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh built an altar there by the Jordan — a great, impressive altar…12 And when the children of Israel heard of it, the whole congregation of the children of Israel gathered together at Shiloh to go to war against them. 13 Then the children of Israel sent Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest…

  • They sought answers, but dressed for war.
  • It turned out that all’s well.
  • Who was sent to see to this?
  • Specifically, by name, Phinehas.
  • He was not afraid of doing what needed to be done.

  1. Perversion in Benjamin - Judges 19:22..."Bring out the man who came to your house…"No, my brethren! I beg you, do not act so wickedly! …27 So the children of Israel inquired of the Lord(the Ark of the Covenant of God was there in those days, 28 and Phinehas the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, stood before it in those days), saying, "Shall I yet again go out to battle against the children of my brother Benjamin, or shall I cease?“ And the Lord said, "Go up, for tomorrow I will deliver them into your hand."

Israel lost over 10%.

Benjamin was destroyed and their cities burned.

  • While Israel went to God, it was through Phinehas.
  • Phinehas didn’t give opinions, but spoke the Word of God.

  1. Naming of the Tabernacle Gatekeepers- 1 Chronicles 9:17 And the gatekeepers were …20 And Phinehas the son of Eleazar had been the officer over them in time past; the Lord was with him.
  • Phinehas passed many years before.

  • Do the people remember his deeds?
  • God makes sure they remember!

  1. The Golden Nuggets from the Life of Phinehas:

Do what needs to be done

It’s difficult, but it needs to be done!

God said to do this

Plenty of other people COULD

You’re going to attract negative attention by doing what’s right, but…

WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED?

Hear The Gospel (John 5:24; Romans 10:17)Believe the Word of God (John 3:16-18; John 8:24)

Repent Of Your Sins (Luke 13:1-5; Acts 2:38)Confess Jesus as Christ (Matthew 10:32; Romans 10:10)

Be Baptized (Acts 22:16; Galatians 3:27)Remain Faithful for Life (John 8:31; Rev. 2:10)

FOR THE ERRING CHILD OF GOD:

Repent (Acts 8:22), Confess (I John 1:9), Pray (Acts 8:22)

Greg Madden PO Box 1914 Soldotna, AK 99669-1914 Funny River Rd church of Christ