Num 25:1-2, 1 Now Israel … began to commit harlotry with the women of Moab. 2 They invited the people to the sacrifices of their gods, and the people ate and bowed down to their gods.
The story of Balaam, Balak, and Israel plays a huge part in this chapter. God would not let Balaam curse Israel at Balak, the king of Moab’s request. Balak, consequently by the advice of Balaam (God’s spokesman), cast a stumbling-block before the children of Israel (Rev 2:14). The Moabites and the Midianites formed a strategy to entice Israel to sin against God. The local Moabite and Midianite women enticed many of the men to join them in sexual rituals in worship of Canaanite god Baal. Not that they abandoned God, they mixed Him in with the other gods. Elijah had similar dealings at a later time.
This is how Satan operates, if he cannot get you in one way, he will come after you with what you are vulnerable to. If Balak had drawn out his armed men against them to fight them, Israel could have bravely resisted victoriously. He sent beautiful women among them to invite them to his idolatrous feasts. We are more endangered (Samson) by the charms of a smiling world (Delilah) than by the terrors of a frowning world. We must “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith…” (1Pe 5:8).