Sex Sells

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]

Although we do not have record of a conversation between the King of Moab (Balak) and the prophet of God (Balaam) to this end, we are made aware, in the context of the Bible, that this event (as a whole) was the result of the two having been together - with the blame directed at Balaam in particular.

It is possible that an unrecorded conversation between Balak and Balaam took place where Balaam advised Balak to cause sin in Israel thus destroying them. It is just as possible the Balak learned something from Balaam just by watching him, that led Balak to have this idea how to destroy Israel. Regardless whether is was direct or indirect, Balaam went down in history as the cause of this sexual offensive against Israel.

Although sex outside of Biblical marriage is indeed a topic of Biblical scrutiny, sex itself was not the problem with this event. Sex only served as the pathway to the problem. Sex paved the way for the men of Israel to worship the gods of Moab - to commit spiritual adultery.

Surprising? Not so much.

Because sex is powerful, it is employed far too often to sway men's decisions. Sex was never intended to be a "ring in a man's nose" by which he could be blindly controlled to the leader's bidding. But, unfortunately that is what it was and is to a great degree.

Perhaps we would do well, when confronted with the allure of sex, to consider carefully what potential danger is attached to it! Is it being employed to mislead us? Is it being used to cause us to make bad choices? This is a consideration today for both sexes.

Sex sells. We should be very cautious what it sells us!

Father, help us to be keenly aware of the power of sex to persuade men and women to make bad choices. Your instructions about sexual conduct come into focus when considering sex's power to influence.