A young boy sat amidst a congregation. His fellow men and women, oh how they had sustained such hardship. The young boy began to reminisce concerning the years that had passed.
Slavery, starvation miles upon miles of journeying. There have been so many deaths…so much sorrow and pain. And now a plague fell upon his people. For what reason is this?
His concentration was broken by the silence amongst those around him. Moses now stood before the congregation and spoke in the name of the Lord, “oh this generation of wolves! From Egypt you were led, from slavery you were saved. The Lord had provided you with food blessed by the Heavens. Water sprang forth from the very stones you now tread upon. Why now do you seek this unknown idol? What good has come from this? You have chosen your poison, but now the body has begun to die. Turn from your ways. Repent and spare those who seek truth and offer worship to the one true God.”
A weeping could be heard resounding from behind and beyond the young man. Silence soon took hold as someone began to speak. It was Zimri, head of the tribe of Simeon, accompanied by Cozbi, a Midianite woman. “Yes, indeed, Moses,” he began, “you are at liberty to make use of such laws that you are so fond of. And by making them accustomed to yourself, they have become this firm. But you shall not have me as one of your followers in your tyrannical commands, for you do nothing else but under pretense of law, and of God, wickedly impose on us slavery, and gain power for yourself, while you deprive us of the sweetness of life, which consists in acting according to our own wills, and is the right of free men. Nay, my friends, this man is harder upon the Hebrews than were the Egyptians themselves, as pretending to punish, according to his laws, everyone acting what is most agreeable to himself. You should be the one punished for abolishing what everyone acknowledged to be what’s good for him, and you aim to make your single opinion to have more force than all the rest of us.”
With this said, Zimri stood there amongst the crowd of people and looked all around him. No one dared to say anything, for they were frightened by how and what was said. Zimri smirked and made his way out of the congregation…a victory.
The young man became uncomfortable. His heart began to beat uncontrollably. His mind was racing…all he had ever know was challenged and defeated.
“What is this feeling?” he began to ponder. A fire began to burn within his chest. He knew what needed to be done. Those all around him saw the look in his eyes. He was known for his strength, both in mind and body….never letting up until complete victory was won.
Picking up his spear, Phinehas acted upon his convictions. Zimri’s tent was not far off. He walked steadily as people made way for him. No one dared to interfere for his countenance shone as one being led by the divine messenger. His heart had steadied…his thoughts went mute…there comes a time in every man’s life when he must act upon the truth and what is right. Otherwise, he is not a man at all, but a starved dog seeking whatever he can to fulfill his hunger.
Phinehas tore down the door and saw Zimri and Cozbi intertwined with the sin they committed. With one clean thrust, Phinehas skewered both lovers.
The Lord spoke to Moses, “Phinehas has turned back My wrath from the Israelites by displaying among them his passion for Me, so that I did not wipe out the Israelite people in My passion. Say therefore, ‘I grant him My pact of friendship…because he took impassioned action for his God, thus making expiation for the Israelites.’” And immediately the plague was lifted.
Here is the story of Phinehas, a young man with such a zeal for the Lord. An inspiration to all young men seeking to do what is right.
