What actions in Psalm 106:29 provoked God's anger, and why were they sinful? Setting the Scene: Psalm 106:29 “So they provoked the LORD to anger with their deeds, and a plague broke out among them.” Psalm 106 retells Israel’s history, stopping at the episode recorded in Numbers 25. That background explains both the deeds and the anger. The Provoking Actions Identified Numbers 25:1-3 supplies the details: • “The people began to commit sexual immorality with the daughters of Moab.” • “These women invited them to the sacrifices for their gods, and the people ate and bowed down to their gods.” • “So Israel yoked himself to Baal of Peor, and the anger of the LORD burned against them.” Summarized, the deeds were: 1. Sexual immorality with pagan women. 2. Participation in idolatrous feasts (“ate”). 3. Bowing in worship to Baal of Peor. Why Those Actions Were Sinful • Direct violation of the first two commandments (Exodus 20:3-5). Idolatry dethrones the true God in the heart. • Sexual immorality defiles God’s covenant people (Leviticus 18:24-30). • Unequally yoking with pagan worshipers blurred Israel’s distinct calling (Deuteronomy 7:3-6). • Eating sacrificial meals signified fellowship with demons, not just idols (Deuteronomy 32:16-17; 1 Corinthians 10:20-21). • The actions were willful; Israel “yoked” himself—an act of covenant betrayal, not a momentary lapse. Divine Response and Its Lesson • A plague erupted (Numbers 25:8-9), ending only after Phinehas zealously upheld God’s honor. • God’s anger underscores His holiness and covenant faithfulness; He cannot overlook sin without compromising His character (Habakkuk 1:13). • The episode warns believers today to flee idolatry and immorality (1 Corinthians 10:6-11). |
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