Phinehas - pt1

I began to name this the ‘Bible Person Study’, but chose to go with the ‘Bible Character Study’. I hesitated to name it that, as I don’t want to diminish the fact that these are real people we’ll be examining. But the reason that it’s named the Bible Character Study is because we’ll be focusing on the person’s character throughout. But don’t forget that these were real people, with real lives that made real choices that had real consequences.

I. Phinehas’ Nature

((What is their History / Background?)

Son of Eleazar, Grandson of Aaron (Ex. 6:23-25)

Eleazar was one of four sons that Aaron had.

Aaron of course being the 1st High priest in the Levitical Priesthood, who was the mouthpiece for Moses.

Aaron’s son Eleazar was installed as the High Priest upon the death of his father Aaron (Num. 20:25-28)

Eleazar would serve under Moses, then Joshua and was Joshua’s counselor to inquire of the LORD (Num. 27:21)

Phinehas had a Godly Grandfather & father - it’s certainly part of the reason that he turned out the way he did.

Son of Eleazar, Grandson of Aaron

Nephew to Nadab & Abihu

Then on the other hand, he had a couple uncles who were ungodly.

Which leads me to say that, you can be a Godly example to your children, but ultimately, it’s their choice whether or not to follow the example or walk their own way.

But here’s the wisdom in Phinehas:

He saw the fruits of his father

He saw the fruits of his uncles

And he chose to follow his father.

This is what amazes me with so many people.

It’s really easy to see where drinking & drugs gets you. Just look at mugshots, broken homes, illegitimate children, etc… yet, so many people choose that route for their lives!

He was the nephew to Nadab & Abihu

Ancestor of Ezra (Ez. 7:1-5)

Fast forward several hundred years, and we come to the life of Ezra.

Listen to what is said about Ezra: Ezra 7:10 “For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.”

Many years later, Phinehas heritage is honoring the LORD.

If I could have anything in this world - it would be a Godly heritage. Not one that lasts a generation or two - but perpetually until the LORD returns!

Ancestor of Ezra

Served as the High Priest

After the death of his father, he would then serve as the High Priest of God in the Levitical priesthood. Which means, if you’ve been here for Sunday night study - he was allowed to enter into the Holiest Place with the blood atonement for himself and the people. He could go into the presence of God - when no one else could!

He Served as the High Priest

II. Phinehas’ Notoriety

(What they are known for?)

Held Charge of the Gatekeepers (1Ch. 9:19-20)

His first position mentioned that he’d held was the same one his daddy before him did - he was in charge of the ‘gatekeepers’.

These were the priests that made sure that no unauthorized people entered into the Tabernacle.

Remember there were strict rules governing the administration of the Tabernacle.

You were only allowed limited access.

In order to get through the gate, it had to be with a Sacrifice

The Brazen Altar was the furthest you were allowed to go - unless you were a priest

He held charge of the Gatekeepers - it wasn’t an elegant job, nor was it a position of authority, but it was important - because it was service to God!

Understand this: There are no lesser positions in serving the LORD. If you’re doing what God called you to do, it doesn’t matter if you’re watching the children or sweeping the floors - you’re JUST AS IMPORTANT as the preacher in the pulpit!

He held charge of the Gatekeepers

Staying the Plague of God (Num. 25:1-15; Psa. 106:28-31)

The most famous act was the brutal and bloody vengeance he took on behalf of God in Num. 25.

This is directly after the incident concerning Balaam, and as we learned last week it was Balaam who encouraged Balak & the Midianites to intermingle with the COI - to the displeasure and Judgment of God.

Phinehas, when presented with this wickedness flaunted in the sight of God and the presence of others, charged forth and run through a man and woman with a javelin.

Some will think that such an act was too brutal or no called for - but understand this: It pleased the LORD!

Sometimes our perception of what is right / wrong, acceptable / unacceptable is different than Gods

Staying the Plague of God

Received the Priestly Covenant (Num. 25:11-13)

BECAUSE of this act, God rewarded Phinehas with a perpetual covenant, which would endure throughout the record of the Levitical priesthood.

Received the Priestly Covenant

Overseer of God’s Vengeance against the Midianites (Num. 31:1-7)

Once you skip over a few pages, you see God’s attention turn back to the Midianites and the havock that they caused and now is ready to bring Judgment against them.

And who else but Phinehas to oversee the Vengeance of God in that manner.

Some say that Phinehas wasn’t the leader of the battle, to which I can’t agree nor disagree - but he certainly was the Spiritual leader, which would be in essence the same thing, as this was a physical battle with a Spiritual basis.

Overseer of God’s Vengeance against the Midianites

Served as Mediator between the Tribes concerning the Altar Ed (Jos. 22:10-34)

Years later, after the COI took possession of the land, there was a dispute that was bound to cause a civil war:

The 2-1/2 tribes on the east of Jordan built an altar

The other tribes saw this as an abomination, and were ready to go to war against them

They sent a group to ascertain what’s going on, to which Phinehas was the leader

They realized the cause for the altar and they had peace.

Served as Mediator between the Tribes concerning the Alter Ed

III. What Makes him Noteworthy

(What Lessons we can Learn from them?)

Present Faithfulness leads to Future Blessings (1Ch. 9; Num. 25)

As I mentioned, Phinehas ended up as High Priest - but it’s not where he started.

He started (from the Biblical record) as head of the gatekeepers. He probably had other positions prior to that, but that’s what we know, before moving up to:

Avenger

Mediator

High Priest

Counselor

Because Phinehas was faithful in the little things, God entrusted him with greater things, and with it, more blessings. Remember the Words of the LORD: Matthew 25:19–21 “After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.”

Two things I want to say about that:

It’s not where you start, it’s where you finish.

(Ill.) Today we have a twisted mentality when it comes to the job market. Gen Zers have been conditioned to think that because they got the education, they didn’t need the experience, and simply EXPECT the same wages as someone who’s been at it 20y. They want to get out of college and have income as if they were about to retire… but it doesn’t work that way.

For most people you will always have to start somewhere closer to the bottom. But it’s not where you start, it’s where you finish. You work your way up.

Secondly, it’s applicable to your Christian walk and service in the church as well.

(Ill.) I am pastor of this church. But I’m pastor for two reasons:

God deemed me faulty, but faithful

You recognized God’s call

But I didn’t begin my Christian walk this way. It was a progression:

I was faithful to church, studying my Bible, then tithing

Then God gave opportunity to lead singing, choir

Then God gave opportunity to drive the van

Then God gave opportunity to teach

Then God called me to preach

Then God laid on my heart to Pastor

Then God put me in that ministry

Through it all I can say - I’ve been blessed. Has it been easy? No. But would I trade it? Absolutely not.

Some Christians never really start in many areas of their Christian walk. They don’t pass out 1,000 tracts. They don’t lead hundreds to Christ. They feel it’s almost an impossible road - but might I remind you - it’s not where you START it’s WHERE YOU FINISH! Just START!

Don’t worry about passing out 1,000 tracts, focus on passing out 1. Then after that 2. If you’re faithful with the little, God will bless you with more!

Present Faithfulness Leads to Future Blessings

Zealousness for God Prompts Action (Num. 25:7-9)

Now I want to speak about Zealousness for a bit. This is how God described Phinehas (2x)

Zealous (def) Warmly engaged or ardent in the pursuit of an object; with passionate ardor; with eagerness

Phinehas had a passion for God, His Law, His Commands, His People.

God brought Judgment upon the sin of the people.

At this time, 24,000 had already died by the Judgment of God for their sin

There was a congregation grieving at the door of the Tabernacle

And when Phinehas saw Zimri & Cozbi, he’d had enough! Because THAT sin was THE sin that CAUSED IT ALL!

Do you know what our country needs right now? We don’t need a prayer cloth from a TV preacher. We don’t need a politician who promises but doesn’t deliver. WE NEED SOME ZEALOUS CHRISTIANS!

ZEALOUS ABOUT GOD

ZEALOUS ABOUT TRUTH

ZEALOUS FOR SOULS

WHO’VE HAD ENOUGH!

That’s what this country needs. If you’re Zealous, it will lead to things that we see in these verses:

You’ll Prepare

We see that the first thing that Phinehas did was he got ready to accomplish what he was setting out to do.

It’s kind of hard to run someone through with a javelin if you don’t have one…

A Zealous Christian will prepare themselves for whatever God would have them do.

(Ill.) God would have never called me to pastor had I not been prepared. When I was first saved, I had not inclination or idea that God would ever do that for me, but for all the things I lacked, I had a zeal for God - and set out to learn more of Him. I began to study and attended church, etc.

Church, if you’re going to be used of God, you must set your mind to prepare. Prepare for what? Whatever God wants of you!

I can’t much think of any who’ve prepared themselves and not been used of God, but I can think of a ton who’ve not prepared themselves - and are NOT being used of God!

You’ll Prepare

You’ll Pursue

We see that Phinehas ‘went after’ the man of Israel.

Zealousness will cause you to pursue God’s Will for your life.

No Christian has ever made a true impact by sitting back waiting for opportunity. We must pursue the opportunities before us - because they are EVERYWHERE!

Noah built the Ark

Abraham went to Canaan’s Land

Moses confronted Pharaoh

David ran to Goliath

Jesus walked up Calvary’s Hill

A Zealous Christian will Pursue Opportunity to Serve

You’ll Prevail

Notice to that Phinehas Prevailed! He got the victory!

A Zealous Christian will not only Prepare and Pursue, BUT THEY WILL PREVAIL! You WILL be Victorious!

Do you know how I know that?

Because a Zealous Christian seeks to do God’s Will, and God is able to bring His Will to fruition!

Church, God is able to bring the Victory! You will prevail!

You’ll Stay the Plague

Just as in Phinehas’ day, there are people that are under the Judgment of God. Today, many more are dying and going to Hell than they are going to Heaven.

There’s a plague of sin in our country and it needs to be stayed! But the plague was only stayed once God’s man had had enough & was zealous about God and man.

You’ll Stay the Plague

God Honors Zealousness (Num. 25:11-13)

Notice as well that God honored the Zealousness of Phinehas. His actions & attitude didn’t go unnoticed.

The Bible tells us: Matthew 16:24–27 “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.”

Luke 18:28–30 “Then Peter said, Lo, we have left all, and followed thee. And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God’s sake, Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting.”

There are crowns to be won - yet, they will be won by those who are Zealous of God - for Zealousness breeds ACTION! ACTIONS brings RESULTS!

God honors Zealousness

Zealousness Breeds Trust (Josh. 22)

Later on, there was a serious problem going on in the land, yet we see who they looked to for help & guidance - Phinehas!

Phinehas had proven himself by his zealous actions in regards to the LORD. He’d demonstrated that he cared about God and man. Therefore, the people trusted him to lead the ambassage to make sure and get this thing right!

When you demonstrate yourself in the sight of man that you are zealous about God, His Word and man, then you begin to earn the trust of God’s people - and will put you in a position to lead and help in times of need.

Zealousness breeds Trust

Pleasing God Requires Taking a Stand (Num. 25:7)

What Phinehas did literally, is what Paul has called us Christians to do Spiritually:

Ephesians 6:10–14a “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore…”

If we’re going to please God

If we’re going to stay the plague

Then we’re going to have to take a stand.

We can’t afford to be wishy-washy

We can’t afford to sit on the sidelines

We can’t ‘go-along to get-along’

We must take a stand!

Pleasing God Requires Taking a Stand

Status Doesn’t Excuse Sin (Num. 25:14-15)

We see that Zimri was a prince of the Simeonites and Cozbi was the daughter over a prince of Midian - but that didn’t matter to God, because Status doesn’t excuse sin.

Just because you’re saved, doesn’t give you a license to sin

Just because we’re baptist and believe in Eternal Security doesn’t give you a license to sin

Just because the situation calls for it, doesn’t give you license to sin

It didn’t matter than Zimri was one of God’s people nor that Cozbi wasn’t. They were both sinners and suffered for their sin by the Judgment of God.

Status doesn’t excuse sin

Conclusion

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