WHAT ARE THE “BAAL”s OF TODAY?
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.
The evil one cannot stop the church, but he can tempt its members to commit adultery by loving another god more than the LORD. What are the modern “baals” of today? Sex, money, possessions, and power, these are the false idols of today. Wait a minute. They were the same for the Israelites too!
PRAYER: Lord, we love you, but we so quickly give our first love to another. Today, we rededicate ourselves to loving you with priority. Lord Jesus, you said that if we loved you we would keep your commandments. Help us to abide in you, so that we are able to please you first above all. In Jesus’ name, amen.