⁴ Balaam had the women of Moab and Midian extend their hospitality to the Israelites, evidently inviting them to a banquet of the best food and wine. The Israelites became relaxed as a result of eating the good food and drinking the heady wine, and likely sexy dancing was used to arouse their passions. They let down their guard, so that these women drew the Israelites into having sexual relations with them. They even got the Israelites to bow down to false gods. With what result? Jehovah’s anger blazed against his people, and 24,000 of them were put to death! Think about this: Those 24,000 were poised to enter Canaan​—the Land of Promise—​after many years of wandering in a desolate wilderness. Yet they lost out on the fulfillment of the promise because of being enticed into sexual immorality!​—Num. 25:1-9, 16-18; 31:16.

⁹ Sadly, reports have been received showing that many young Christians have also succumbed to the pressures of a sex-oriented world, just as the 24,000 Israelites of old fell victim to temptations from the immoral Moabites and Midianites.

12. (a) What is a date? (b) Why would dating persons who do not worship Jehovah be very unwise?

¹² What is a date? Webster’s Third New International Dictionary defines it: “An appointment between two persons of the opposite sex for the mutual enjoyment of some form of social activity.” But should true worshipers of God seek “mutual enjoyment . . . of social activity” with persons who do not worship Jehovah? Remember those 24,000 Israelites who did.