Tolerance = Worship

While the Israelites were camped at Acacia Grove, some of the men defiled themselves by having sexual relations with local Moabite women.  These women invited them to attend sacrifices to their gods, so the Israelites feasted with them and worshiped the gods of Moab.  In this way, Israel joined in the worship of Baal of Peor, causing the Lord’s anger to blaze against his people. [Numbers 25.1-3]

The digression is simple: certain Israelite men went for the sex and then for the food and then worshiped the gods of Moab.  By doing and allowing this to be done, whichever the case was, all of Israel was guilty of Baal worship.  It sounds all too familiar today...

Sure not everyone had sex with Moabite women.  Even though we are told little detail of the event, we can gather enough facts to ascertain this: Those who 'blazed the trail' in the sexual act, made way for tolerance to attend, if for no other reason but to observe, the pagan sacrifices.  And then, what better way to further demonstrate a spirit of tolerance than to join in the meal following to sacrifices (just to show 'love and acceptance' - everyone's gotta eat, right?)?

Okay then, here's how God views it: Tolerance = Worship.  No apologies - it had to be said.  What Israel allowed, God saw as worship.  What we allow, God sees as worship!

We are told the account of Phinehas who, in his zeal, single-handedly performed a brutal execution of a blatant offender and thereby satisfied the anger of God against all Israel for their trespass.  Herein is Christ seen!  Just as one righteous man brought about deliverance for all Israel, so Jesus brought about salvation for all mankind!

Father, I know You are intolerant.  I furthermore can see that You are broad-reaching in what You call 'worship' (regardless of what we think it is).  Help me first and foremost to see Jesus' work on my behalf to offer salvation even from sins that the world may see not as sin but as tolerance.