In this episode the children of Israel worshipped Baalpeor and the anger of the Lord broke out against them and 24, 000 people died.

They committed whoredom with the daughters of Moab, they ate sacrifices and bowed down to their gods.

In the last chapter, we were told that Balaam spoke the parables God put in his mouth and he went home.

But apparently, before going home, He told Balak, I cannot curse these people, but I can tell you how to get them to curse themselves.

His advice or doctrine worked and speaking to the church in Pergaum, Jesus mentioned Balaam’s doctrine.

Here’s the text:

Revelation 2:14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.

We are told Zimri a Prince from the tribe of Simeon was seduced by a woman named Cozbi, the daughter of Zur a Prince of Midian.

Zimri lead his brethren, to worship the gods of Moab and 24, 000 people died, most of them from his own tribe.

When Moses took the Census in Numbers chapter 1 the tribe of Simeon had 59, 300 fighting men after this incident, in the next chapter, their numbers are down to 22, 200 fighting men.

The tribe of Simeon was one of the three largest tribes and probably the most fierce of the three.
But because of this plague and others, the tribe of Simeon lost over 37,000 fighting men, on their way to the promised land.

But they lost more men this time, as they were lured into a trap set by cunning men who used women as bait. They were tempted and they fell.

They were like oxen led to the slaughter. Solomon gave a warning to men in Proverbs chapter 21. He said, many strong men have been slain by a certain type of woman. He warned men to take his advice because she had wounded and slain many strong men, and they were now hell.

Here’s the text:

Proverbs 7:21 With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced him.

Proverbs 7:22 He goeth after her straightway, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks;

Proverbs 7:23 Till a dart strike through his liver; as a bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it is for his life.

Proverbs 7:24 Hearken unto me now therefore, O ye children, and attend to the words of my mouth.

Proverbs 7:25 Let not thine heart decline to her ways, go not astray in her paths.

Proverbs 7:26 For she hath cast down many wounded: yea, many strong men have been slain by her.

Proverbs 7:27 Her house is the way to hell, going down to the chambers of death.

In the end, God told Moses, to vex the Midianites, because they had vexed them with their wiles and had beguiled them.

Paul used that same word "wiles" in Ephesians chapter 6.

Strongs says, wiles means, trickery, deceit, to defraud, that is, act treacherously, to beguile, to conspire, to deal subtilly.

The Israelites were tricked by the cunning rulers of Moab and Midian, they conspired against them, and many men died and were defrauded of their inheritance. They would not inherit the promised land.

Paul told the church to be on guard against the wiles of the devil. So they wouldn’t be ensnared by the rulers of darkness, the one’s who rule in high places.

The rulers seek to ensnare the children of God, by enticing them, to sin, so they can curse themselves. They want the wrath of God to breakout against them. They want them to end up in the chambers of hell.

So Paul tells us to put on the whole armor of God. It's the same type of armor God wears.

Here's the text:

Ephesians 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.


Ephesians 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.


Ephesians 6:12 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.


Ephesians 6:13 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.


Ephesians 6:14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;


Ephesians 6:15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;


Ephesians 6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.


Ephesians 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:


Ephesians 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;