Covenant of peace. Numbers 25:12. “Wherefore say, ‘Behold, I give unto him my covenant of peace:” God’s righteous anger—after all this, you will stoop to this. The doctrine of Balaam raises its ugly head, and people fall for it. Because of it, they go further than ever, and they even eat the sacrifices made to false gods. They bow low to images. They succumb to the wiles of women. No wonder the Lord’s anger is fierce.
A young man, a third-generation pilgrim, steps up and takes action. He hesitated not, knowing there was no other way to stop the disaster caused by the people's willful sin. Righteous anger surged through him, as he understood this had to be halted right here. The sin had been blatant, happening openly. Right before the weeping people was the sin, and right before them was the solution.
A well-placed javelin halts the dying. Twenty-four thousand paid for their sins. One young man stepped forward from the crowd and did what was necessary to save the people. One young man turned away the wrath of a just and holy God, who used him to take the action needed to confront open sin. In faith, he took God seriously and acted zealously. God made an everlasting agreement of peace. A covenant was formed, and peace was established.
For peace to exist, it must be actively sought. Peace isn’t something that just happens; it is created and established. There is a bond of peace, an agreement, an understanding between the God of peace and those who follow His way. We must pursue peace and chase after it when it seems to escape us. We can preserve and maintain peace when we walk with God. Peace with God has been achieved at the highest cost—the blood of His cross. We enjoy great peace when we love what God loves, and the covenant is established.