A Zealous Stand for Purity: From Phinehas’s Javelin to God’s Covenant of Peace

Listen to today’s passage – Numbers 25 – 26

Follow along on Blue Letter Bible – Numbers 25  

Second Milers also read – Romans 5 – 8; Proverbs 24; Psalms 121 – 125

Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – Proverbs 27:15

Read the “0224 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by Charles Spurgeon.

 “And, behold, one of the children of Israel came and brought unto his brethren a Midianitish woman in the sight of Moses, and in the sight of all the congregation of the children of Israel, who were weeping before the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. And when Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, saw it, he rose up 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 belly. So the plague was stayed from the children of Israel.” – (Num 25:6-8)

In Numbers 25, Israel—poised at the edge of the Promised Land—fell into deadly compromise. Seduced by Moabite and Midianite women (influenced by Balaam’s wicked counsel), they joined in idolatry and immorality, provoking God’s fierce anger. A plague broke out, claiming thousands. Then, in brazen defiance, one Israelite man paraded a Midianite woman into his tent right in front of Moses and the weeping assembly.

Phinehas, grandson of Aaron, couldn’t stand by. Filled with holy zeal, he took a spear and ended the offense decisively. God commended him: this act turned away wrath, stopped the plague, and secured a covenant of an everlasting priesthood for Phinehas (Numbers 25:10-13). It was a strong message: God demands separation from sin and idolatry—no excuses, no half-measures.

We face similar pressures today. Cultural influences flood in through media, relationships, and even some church circles—pushing compromise on morality, truth, and biblical fidelity. Too many believers (and leaders) look the other way or accommodate the “Midianite women” of our age. Yet Scripture is clear:

“And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.” – (Eph 5:11)

“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” – (2 Cor 6:14-18)

We are, or soon will be, who we hang around. Unequal yoking leads to spiritual downfall—just as it did for Israel.

But here’s the beautiful hope we must cling to: Phinehas’s act brought temporary relief from judgment, yet God points forward to something greater—a covenant of peace:

“10 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 11 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. 12 Wherefore say, Behold, I give unto him my covenant of peace: 13 And he shall have it, and his seed after him, even the covenant of an everlasting priesthood; because he was zealous for his God, and made an atonement for the children of Israel.” (Num 25:10–13)

In Ezekiel, God promises His restored people:

“26 Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them: and I will place them, and multiply them, and will set my sanctuary in the midst of them for evermore.” (Ezek 37:26)

And in Isaiah:

“For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee.” (Isaiah 54:10)

This covenant of peace isn’t earned by our zeal alone—it’s fulfilled in Jesus Christ, the ultimate High Priest. Through His sacrifice, wrath is fully turned away, not just stayed temporarily. We receive peace with God (Romans 5:1), inner peace that guards our hearts (Philippians 4:7), and the security of an everlasting relationship. Zeal for purity—like Phinehas’s—flows from gratitude for this peace, not fear of judgment. It motivates us to stand boldly, lovingly confront compromise, and separate from darkness so we can walk in the light of God’s unchanging mercy.

In a world that celebrates compromise, may God raise up modern Phinehases—zealous yet gracious—who proclaim both the call to holiness and the assurance of His covenant of peace. Stand firm, believer. The God who rewarded Phinehas is the same who seals us in everlasting peace through Christ.

What are your thoughts? How has God called you to stand against compromise while resting in His peace? I’d love to hear in the comments.

Note – today’s blogpost is a refreshed version of the previous post – “A Strong Message”