Throughout the Bible are stories of individuals who step up and stand out from all others.  Once again, this time at Peor, the people followed unholy people and committed idolatry, worshiping Baal.  In his wrath, the Lord struck down many Israelites.  But Phineas stood up!  “When Phinehas the son of Eleazar, son of Aaron the priest, saw it, he rose and left the congregation and took a spear in his hand and went after the man of Israel into the chamber and pierced both of them, the man of...

So much has happened up to this point.  Elders appointed.  Prophets among the people approved by God.  Quail and sickness.  Opposition to Moses from his own brother and sister.  The spying out of the land and the unfaithful and faithful reports of the spies.  Israel's rebellion and Moses’ intercession for the people.  Israel defeated in battle.  The Sabbath broken.  Korah’s rebellion and the Lord's affirmation of Moses as leader.  Additional instructions.  Miriam’s death.   More complaining...

The story of the budding of Aaron’s staff is interesting to me.  The people had continued to grumble against God and against Moses’ leadership.  So, God had Moses gather twelve wooden staffs with the names of the tribal heads engraved upon them.  On the staff for Levi, Aaron’s name was written.  The Lord then instructed, “You shall deposit them in the tent of meeting before the testimony, where I meet with you.  And the staff of the man whom I choose shall sprout” (17:4-5).  Lo and behold,...