Douglas Jacoby Podcast

OT Characters: Phinehas

Episode Summary

In today's episode Douglas continues his series on Old Testament Characters, focusing in on the life of Phinehas. This episode includes teaching on the story of Phinehas as well as what we can learn about the character of God through this story. Douglas also includes ideas for how to share this material in devotionals with your children. We hope you enjoy.

Episode Notes

For additional notes and resources check out Douglas' website.

Hebrew words:

• Phinechas – "mouth of brass" or possibly "negro" (in old Egyptian). Appears first in Exodus 6:25, and also in 17 other OT location. Not to be confused with a later Phinehas (son of Eli, 1 Samuel 1:3) and yet another Phinehas in Ezra 8:33. Although his name was imitable, apparently his character was less imitable!
• Tsamad – join, yoke (Numbers 25:3); tsemed = couple, pair
• Qubbah – large vaulted tent. There exists a similar word in Arabic meaning "camp sanctuary." Appears only here in Bible.
• Qin’ah – ardor, zeal, jealousy (Hebrew). From qana’ = be jealous.
• Zelos – jealousy, zeal (Greek NT and LXX). Whereas in English the Greek root evolved into two adjectives (zealous and jealous), it did not evolve to two nouns (zeal and "jeal"). But it could have!

Further study:

• Passages the podcast covered or referred to:
  • Number 25
  • Exodus 32; Leviticus 10; 2 Samuel 6
  • James 4:7-10
  • Romans 12:11 (see also Revelation 3:16); Colossians 1:28-2:1; 3:1ff; 3:16; 4:2-6.
  • Matthew 5:30; 1 Corinthians 5:5,7,13; 6:17; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15; Hebrews 13:4; Revelation 21:8.
  • In the NT: 2 Peter 2:15, Jude 11, Revelation 2:14
  • Psalm 106:28-31
  • (2 Cor 11:2 -- here Paul is jealous [zēlô] with a zeal [zēlō].)
• Advanced
  • Phinehas was chief of the Korahite Levites (1 Chronicles 9:20). Learn more about him in Joshua 22:13ff, 30-32 and Judges 20:28ff.
  • He is lauded in the Apocrypha in 1 Maccabees 2:26, 54 and Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) 45:23-24.
  • He's even mentioned three times in the Dead Sea Scrolls.

Some things we learn about God:

• God's jealousy, which is sinless, is white-hot, holy, and cannot be compromised.
• He punishes sin.
• God detests illicit yoking (with unbelievers).
• He commends those who stand up for his righteousness.

For kids:

• Due to the mature subject matter and shocking nature of the principal text, Numbers 25, this lesson is more appropriate for children who are exposed to significant sexual temptation. (In the United States, this is normally from age of 12.) Be sensitive.
• For more mature kids, read Numbers 25 and have a discussion. Begin by asking, What character strengths Phinehas has:
  • Strong conviction.
    • Does not follow the flow; understands that there are absolutes.
    • Is unapologetic.
  • Takes the initiative.
  • Demonstrates leadership in a time of moral crisis.
  • His anger is not for his own sake, but because he understands and believes deeply in God's law.
  • True zeal...
• Ask, in what sorts of situations should a godly person take a stand (e.g. in school, in sports, at church)?
• In regard to leaving home /going to university, ask, What are you going to do/say when you see people engaged in gross sin?
• Ask, How does the world oppose and even ridicule such a man?
• Conclude by reading Joshua 24:15 (begin in v.14 and read as far as you need in order to paint the picture).

Key verses:

• Numbers 25:11
• Psalm 106:31