Balaam, having sworn to pronounce whatever God gives him to say, can only bless the nation of Israel - much to the chagrin of Balak, who wants to see Israel cursed. After repeated attempts to bring a curse upon the nation, Balak finally departs with the advice from Balaam to have the nation of Israel intermarry with the surrounding pagan nations.
The Israelites DO begin to intermarry - a practice forbidden by God. A plague begins to circulate among the nation until Phineas - Aaron's son - stops the course of the plague by driving a spear through the offensive couple. What devastation was caused among the nation by the sin of one couple. Sin IS serious and DOES have long-reaching repercussions.
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