Topical Bible: Idolatry: The Jews: Followed the Moabites In

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Idolatry, the worship of idols or false gods, is a recurring theme in the history of the Israelites, often leading them away from the worship of Yahweh, the one true God. One significant instance of this is when the Israelites followed the Moabites into idolatry, an event that had profound consequences for the nation.

The account of the Israelites' idolatry with the Moabites is found in the Book of Numbers. As the Israelites journeyed through the wilderness, they encamped in the plains of Moab, across the Jordan River from Jericho. Here, they encountered the Moabites, who led them into sin. Numbers 25:1-3 states: "While Israel was staying in Shittim, the men began to indulge in sexual immorality with the daughters of Moab, who invited them to the sacrifices for their gods. And the people ate and bowed down to these gods. So Israel joined in worshiping Baal of Peor, and the LORD’s anger burned against them."

This passage highlights the seductive nature of idolatry, as the Israelites were drawn into the worship of Baal of Peor through immoral associations with the Moabite women. The worship of Baal, a Canaanite deity, involved not only idolatrous practices but also immoral rites, which were in direct violation of the covenantal laws given to Israel.

The consequences of this idolatry were severe. God's anger was kindled against Israel, resulting in a devastating plague that claimed the lives of 24,000 Israelites (Numbers 25:9). This event underscores the seriousness with which God views idolatry and the spiritual infidelity it represents. It also serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of compromising with surrounding pagan cultures and the ease with which the Israelites could be led astray.

The incident at Peor is further referenced in Deuteronomy 4:3-4 , where Moses reminds the Israelites of the consequences of their actions: "You saw with your own eyes what the LORD did at Baal of Peor. The LORD your God destroyed from among you everyone who followed Baal of Peor. But you who held fast to the LORD your God are alive to this day, every one of you."

This historical episode is a poignant example of the Israelites' struggle with idolatry throughout their history. It illustrates the constant tension between the call to be a holy people set apart for God and the temptation to conform to the practices of surrounding nations. The narrative serves as a warning to remain faithful to God and to resist the allure of idolatry in all its forms.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Numbers 25:1-3
And Israel stayed in Shittim, and the people began to commit prostitution with the daughters of Moab.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Kingdom Op Judah.
... a slaughter of one another, that the Jews had nothing to ... To strengthen his dominion,
he followed the example of ... and he permitted and encouraged idolatry in the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson vii the kingdom op.htm

The Prophet Joel.
... border; and the crime of the Moabites, rebuked in ... prince's of Judah, and allowed
free scope to idolatry. ... According to Jerome, the Jews followed the latter view ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the prophet joel.htm

Balaam's Prophecy. (Numb. xxiv. 17-19. )
... Luther, and many older expositors who followed him), is ... Jesus should throw back upon
the Jews the charge ... which those who were given to idolatry endeavoured to ...
/.../christology of the old testament/balaams prophecy numb xxiv 17-19.htm

The Nations of the South-East
... of the Philistines by his troops was followed by the ... Edom by the prophet Obadiah
is not that of idolatry or the ... of Edom rather than of the Jews, differing from ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter iii the nations of.htm

Joshua's Conquest.
... would have occurred and Joshua would have followed Exodus and ... of the old world and
the Jews were simply ... Idolatry, vice and superstition were everywhere and the ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter viii joshuas conquest.htm

The Historical Books.
... with its calamitous consequences, and the idolatry of Solomon ... spare the sins of the
pious monarchs that followed. ... written, after the return of the Jews from the ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xx the historical books.htm

Abraham, his Trial in Egypt; his Humility
... also of government, [74]206; must be followed vehemently, [75 ... 282]313; have greater
privileges than Jews had, [283 ... 402; now uses it to defend idolatry, [499]ib. ...
/.../abraham his trial in egypt.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... The prophets, their struggle against Phonician idolatry, the story ... city of Zephath;**
but they followed an independent ... to the period when the Jews, without any ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

CHAP. I. -II. 3 (II. 1).
... even where the folly of gross idolatry has been ... quoted, and, in opposition to the
Jews, the calling ... and prophecies; and if it be consistently followed out, it ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/chap i -ii 3 ii 1.htm

The Prophet Amos.
... not likely that the latter should have followed the former ... any other crime, eg,
fornication, idolatry, etc., is ... exception, viz., that of the Moabites, who are ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the prophet amos.htm