Today’s devotion comes from Numbers chapter 25. Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Numbers%2025&version=NASB1995
I quote only the following verses.
“While Israel remained at Shittim, the people began to play the harlot with the daughters of Moab. For they invited the people to the sacrifices of their gods, and the people ate and bowed down to their gods. So Israel joined themselves to Baal of Peor, and the LORD was angry against Israel. The LORD said to Moses, “Take all the leaders of the people and execute them in broad daylight before the LORD, so that the fierce anger of the LORD may turn away from Israel.” So Moses said to the judges of Israel, “Each of you slay his men who have joined themselves to Baal of Peor.”
Then behold, one of the sons of Israel came and brought to his relatives a Midianite woman, in the sight of Moses and in the sight of all the congregation of the sons of Israel, while they were weeping at the doorway of the tent of meeting. When Phinehas the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, saw it, he arose from the midst of the congregation and took a spear in his hand, and he went after the man of Israel into the tent and pierced both of them through, the man of Israel and the woman, through the body. So the plague on the sons of Israel was checked. Those who died by the plague were 24,000.
Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “Phinehas the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, has turned away My wrath from the sons of Israel in that he was jealous with My jealousy among them, so that I did not destroy the sons of Israel in My jealousy. Therefore say, ‘Behold, I give him My covenant of peace; and it shall be for him and his descendants after him, a covenant of a perpetual priesthood, because he was jealous for his God and made atonement for the sons of Israel.’” Numbers 25:1-13.
————
Today’s Scripture led me to think about how we are salt and light to the world around us.
“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men.
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:13-16.
Like salt, we are a preservative to those around us. (As a quick side note, we can not act like Phinehas in today’s Scripture. We are definitely and clearly forbidden by Scripture and the laws of United States to kill others.) But, our presence, actions, and words act like salt and somehow prevent or at least “check” (limit) corruption and punishment.
Like light, we expose wickedness hidden in darkness. “Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret. But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light.” Ephesians 5:11-13.
Moreover, like light, we show the path to righteousness.
“Your word is a lamp to my feet
And a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105.
“But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn,
That shines brighter and brighter until the full day.” Proverbs 4:18.
In addition, some may recognize God’s blessing on us and be jealous, “if somehow I might move to jealousy my fellow countrymen and save some of them.” Romans 11:14.
“My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.” James 5:19-20.
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 