“So Israel yoked himself to Baal of Peor. And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel” (Numbers 25:3 ESV).
Balaam was unable to curse Israel because they were under God’s blessing. So according to Numbers 31:16 he advised another way to harm them from within by tempting them to worship other gods. The Midianites and the Moabites were distant kin of the Jews. Yet, they had fallen into idolatry. It was their wicked and sexual Baal worship that turned many Jews aside and caused them to stumble. The word “Baal” means “Master, Lord, or Owner.” Here, the name “Baal of Peor” probably meant “Lord of Mt. Peor,” as pagan worship was often identified with a mountain. The Israelites could not be cursed or defeated in battle, but they could be tempted to break the first of the commandments and to put another master before the Lord their God.
This same strategy is at work today. Satan cannot stop the church, but he can tempt believers to put other “masters” before God. The “Baals” of today—sex, money, power, and possessions—compete for our devotion. Just as Israel fell when they compromised their worship, we too are in danger when we give our hearts to anything other than Christ.
We must ask ourselves: What “Baals” are we allowing into our lives? Do we prioritize money over faithfulness? Do we seek influence at the expense of integrity? Do we let pleasure dictate our choices instead of God’s Word? Like Israel, we are tempted to love something more than God, but Jesus calls us to wholehearted devotion (Matthew 22:37). The best way to guard our hearts is to stay rooted in God’s Word and walk in obedience.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, we recognize how easily our hearts can be drawn away from You. Forgive us for the times we have placed other things before You. Help us to love You with all our heart, soul, and strength. Strengthen us to resist temptation and remain faithful to You alone. In Jesus’ name, amen.