Apostasy at Shittim: The next episode in Numbers is part of something of a pattern in these early biblical books. The Balaam episode has witnessed God’s firm resolve to bless Israel as the people are poised to enter Canaan. The camp is large and experiencing military success; God is with them. In some ways Israel’s position here is analogous to that in the first part of the spy narrative in Numbers 13–14. Israelites are ready to take the land, but again they are faithless. They appear to be ready to squander the divine blessing so firmly defended in the Balaam story. We have noted the theme of “seeing” in chapters 22–24. In chapter 25 the people see their own apostasy (vv. 6–7). Phinehas, Aaron’s grandson, remedies the situation. The apostasy is the worshipping of Peor’s god and engaging i…