It's really important to understand this chapter in light of other references to Balaam, even though his name is not mentioned in the chapter. When we look at Numbers 31, we understand that the enticement to sin both sexually and spiritually by participating in the pagan worship practices of the Moabites was instigated by Balaam when he was unsuccessful in cursing the Israelites.
God's command for Moses to put to death the leaders illustrates a concept that is seen again with the prophet Eli and his sons. We see the value and responsibility of leadership again in the New Testament in Luke and James “From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, even more will be asked” (Luke 12:48b).
"Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, because you know that we will be judged more strictly."(James 3:1).
Leaders are held to a higher standard and are held responsible for the sin they tolerate, especially because their tolerance encourages those who follow them to engage in sin.
But what if you aren't really in a position of spiritual leadership?
We all have a leadership role in one way or another. As a parent, as an older sibling, in our career, or in our marriage, we all have someone who may be looking to us as an example. Are we an example of godliness? An example of the fruit-filled Spirit?
What sin are we tolerating in our home? What sin are we condoning because we view it as entertainment on our TV or our computer?
God's command for Moses to put to death the leaders illustrates a concept that is seen again with the prophet Eli and his sons. We see the value and responsibility of leadership again in the New Testament in Luke and James “From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, even more will be asked” (Luke 12:48b).
"Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, because you know that we will be judged more strictly."(James 3:1).
Leaders are held to a higher standard and are held responsible for the sin they tolerate, especially because their tolerance encourages those who follow them to engage in sin.
But what if you aren't really in a position of spiritual leadership?
We all have a leadership role in one way or another. As a parent, as an older sibling, in our career, or in our marriage, we all have someone who may be looking to us as an example. Are we an example of godliness? An example of the fruit-filled Spirit?
What sin are we tolerating in our home? What sin are we condoning because we view it as entertainment on our TV or our computer?
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