Yes—Israel itself is the repeated example: the Canaanites drew Israel into idolatry, and Moabite women seduced Jewish young men into immorality.
Les Feldick points to several times in Israel's history when surrounding nations caused God's people to abandon their separated character. The Canaanites took Israel straight into idolatry, Balaam used Moabite women to seduce Jewish young men, and later the women of Israel led the way in burning incense to a foreign goddess. In each case, foreign influence turned Israel away from the Lord.
Jeremiah 44:17 — This verse records the people's determination to burn incense to the 'queen of heaven,' a foreign goddess, showing how foreign religious influence led Israel astray.
Joshua 1:7 — This command to not turn aside from God's law sets the standard that Israel broke whenever foreign influences pulled them into idolatry.
In Joshua 1:7, God commanded Joshua to observe and do all the law Moses commanded and not turn from it to the right or left. Israel's history shows that when they obeyed, they were blessed, but when they turned to the gods of the surrounding nations, judgment followed. Jeremiah 44:17 records a specific example of foreign religious influence: the people declared they would burn incense to the queen of heaven, a female goddess, and pour out drink offerings to her. This is the kind of syncretistic worship into which the nations repeatedly drew Israel.
Les teaches that the Canaanite people's effect upon Israel was to take them right into idolatry. He describes Israel's history through the Judges as a roller coaster—reaching spiritual heights under good judges who ruled under God, then falling away because of surrounding pagan influence. Les also explains how Balaam, unable to curse Israel militarily, advised the Moabites to use their prettiest girls to seduce Jewish young men. It worked, and God allowed judgment to fall—23,000 Jews were put to death for losing their separated character. He further points out that the women of Israel led the way in worshiping the queen of heaven, a female goddess. At Samuel's time, Israel told Samuel they wanted to be like the nations around them and demanded a king. Les notes that Israel today is no different, frantically seeking acceptance by the Gentile world. As for Solomon, Les only mentions in these clips that he took Israel to its greatest height; he does not discuss Solomon's personal fall in this material.
Les says the Canaanite people's effect upon Israel was that they took them right into idolatry. He calls the history of Israel through the Judges a roller coaster: they reached spiritual heights under good judges who ruled under God, but then fell away. The Canaanite presence was the continuing foreign influence that caused that downward slide.
Balak, king of Moab, could not defeat Israel militarily and could not curse them, so Balaam suggested using the Moabite women. Les says the prettiest girls were put before the Jewish young men, the seduction worked, and God let judgment fall—23,000 Jews were put to death because they had lost their separated character.
Les teaches that Israel went deeper and deeper into the sins described in Romans 1. He quotes the people's words: 'we will certainly do whatsoever thing goeth forth out of our own mouth, to burn incense unto the queen of heaven.' He explains that the queen of heaven was a female goddess and that the women of Israel led the way in this idolatry.
At the time of Samuel the last judge, Israel told Samuel they wanted to be like the nations around them and have a king. Samuel warned of taxation, drafting of children, and oppression, but Israel insisted. Les says Israel today is no different, frantically seeking to be accepted by the Gentile world.
Les only mentions Solomon in these clips as the king who took Israel to its greatest height, receiving more territory than anyone before or after him. He does not teach, in this material, about Solomon being led astray by foreign influences.
Why God Commanded Israel to Destroy Entire Nations — Deuteronomy 7
And so God, in His wrath, turned them back into the wilderness for that 40 years of wandering. So now as they're about ready to go in, almost 40 years later, now we'll point it out, when they cross the River Jordan and they get on the other side, they're going to stop for Passover.
Israel Wants to Be Like the Nations
Les compares Israel at Samuel's time with modern Israel: they rejected their separate identity because they wanted to be like the Gentile nations around them.
Obedience Brings Blessing
Les teaches that Israel's prosperity was always based on spiritual obedience; when they turned from God's Word, they declined.
Moabite Women and Balaam's Strategy
Les explains that Balaam's satanic advice—using Moabite women to seduce Jewish young men—led to God's judgment and 23,000 deaths.
Israel Rejects God as King
Les shows that Israel's request for a king was a rejection of God and their desire to be like the surrounding nations.
Solomon's Kingdom at Its Height
Les describes Solomon only as taking Israel to its greatest height; he does not discuss Solomon's fall in these clips.
Women Lead in Queen-of-Heaven Worship
Les points to the worship of the queen of heaven as an example of foreign, female-goddess idolatry led by the women of Israel.
Canaanite Influence Brings Idolatry
Les says the Canaanite people's effect on Israel was to take them right into idolatry, making Israel's history a roller coaster.
Joshua 1:7: Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.
This verse commands Israel not to turn from God's law, the standard they abandoned when foreign influences led them astray.
Jeremiah 44:17: But we will certainly do whatsoever thing goeth forth out of our own mouth, to burn incense unto the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto her, as we have done, we, and our fathers, our kings, and our princes, in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem: for then had we plenty of victuals, and were well, and saw no evil.
This verse records Israel's defiant choice to worship a foreign goddess, showing how foreign religious influence had taken hold.
In these clips, Les only describes Solomon taking Israel to its greatest height. He does not discuss Solomon's personal fall into idolatry in this material.
Les gives several: the Canaanites drew Israel into idolatry, Balaam used Moabite women to seduce Jewish men, and the women of Israel led in worshiping the queen of heaven.
Les says when Israel lost their separated character, God's judgment fell—for example, 23,000 Jews were put to death after the Moabite women episode.
At Samuel's time they did not want to be different anymore; they wanted to be like the surrounding nations, even after Samuel warned them about taxation and conscription.
Watch the Teaching: Why God Commanded Israel to Destroy Entire Nations — Deuteronomy 7