FAITH CAPSULE: Jesus’ Zealous act in the temple was of a right principle.

Numbers 25

Man should understand and know the need to be in shape as God’s symbol by living on right principles (ethics, value) by not missing out in the center of God’s divine assignment on earth. Zeal will set man right before God and settle man for greatness for God’s glory when zeal is grounded on right principle. Jesus’ Zealous act in the temple was of a right principle. Jesus drove out those who engaged buying and selling in the temple by using whip of cords. (John 2:13-17) As a believer, are you learning from zealousness that is rooted on a right principle through the pages of the bible?
Documentation of Phinehas the son of Eleazar was a demonstration of a faithful act which testifies to man’s zealousness that was rooted on a right principle. (Number 25)
Once on the journey to the Promised Land, the children of Israel provoked the anger of God against them when they joined to Baal of Peor. While they were facing the wrath for joining Baal Peor, “…One of the children of Israel came and presented to his brethren a Midianite woman in the sight of Moses and in the sight of all the congregation of the children of Israel, who were weeping at the door of the tabernacle of meeting.” (Numbers 25:6)
The point here is that, they had not gotten over the consequences of one sin when they began to engage another sin through a fellow in their midst. Phinehas’ zealous response is recorded in Numbers 25:7-8 stating, “…Phinehas the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, saw it, he rose from among the congregation and took a javelin in his hand; and he went after the man of Israel into the tent and thrust both of them through, the man of Israel, and the woman through her body. So the plague was stopped among the children of Israel.” Phinehas action, provoked God and God spoke to Moses, “…Phinehas the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, has turned back My wrath from the children of Israel, because he was zealous with My zeal…” (Numbers 25:11)
Phinehas could not sit back and compromise with wrong doing in the presence of God. Phinehas’s zealousness which was rooted on a right principle made Phinehas to act on behalf of God against evil act of the children of Israel. God responded to Phinehas’ zeal by zipping him in a bundle of blessing which extends to his descendants. God spoke through Moses, “…Behold, I give to him My covenant of peace; and it shall be to him and his descendants after him a covenant of an everlasting priesthood, because he was zealous for his God…’” (Numbers 25:12-13) God is the benevolent rewarder of those that seek Him diligently. If you desire zeal for God, ask for it in prayer and God will deposit desire for His zeal.

Prayer Point: Ask God for the grace that His zeal will eat you up.