The Covenant of Peace I

Friday 21 August
READ: Num 25: 6 - 13
MORE LESSON: Psa. 69: 9

There was a time in Israel when the anger of God burnt against them because they were engaged in immorality with the Moabite girls. Twenty four thousand people died and the congregation mourned and cried to God for mercy. Then a man who was even a leader in Israel came before the whole assembly and brought another girl and went in to start committing immorality with her. The man must have looked at Moses and proceeded into the tent with the girl, he must have thought to himself that the people could do nothing to him. He disrespected God, His servant and all the congregation of Israel. You have to be careful how you act in the presence of God and His servants. Some people are rude and disrespectful in the house of God and to ministers of God; even if God’s servants do not say anything, judgment will fall on the rude person.

Moses didn't even say anything but then a young man called Phinehas saw it and rose up, took a javelin in his hands and went after the Israelite in the tent. He thrust both the man and the harlot through with the javelin and the anger of God calmed down and the plague was stayed from the children of Israel, And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, hath turned my wrath away from the children of Israel, while he was zealous for my sake among them, that I consumed not the children of Israel in my jealousy. Wherefore say, Behold, I give unto him my covenant of peace: Num. 25:11.

God rewarded him with a covenant of peace for himself and his generation. God gave him a covenant of an everlasting priesthood. So by his zeal for God, Phinephas secured an exalted position for himself and his seed after him. Ordinarily, a covenant is an agreement between two parties based on conditions. All the people God made covenants with had conditions and requirements to meet. But for Phinehas, God didn't attach a condition, that is why it is a covenant of peace. He would enjoy it eternally without labour or strife. No one can contest with him for it and nothing can disqualify him for it. God gave it to him unconditionally.

How did Phinehas obtain this covenant of peace? He was zealous for God like the Psalmist that says, For the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up; and the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me: Psa. 69: 9. I want you to know that there are things you too can do for God that He would vow to bless you and your generation after you. It could be in any area of life- service, giving, holy living, commitment, evangelism, prayer e.t.c. Choose to excel and move the hand of God for good in an extraordinary way in your life.

Prayer/Action
* Pray for grace to do extra ordinary things for God.
* Ask God to make you an icon of eternal memorial in His Kingdom.
* Pray that you will be an example of holy living.

PROPHETIC PRAYER
Arise God of battle and let the enemies of Your works in my life be scattered, in Jesus’ name.