Pinchas was immensely rewarded for his act. But he didn't take over as leader after Moshe Rabbeinu. That was Yehoshua. Perhaps that could be because when someone does such a cruel act he's viewed differently. He can't be seen as cruel and be a leader at the same time..

What's the most important pasuk in the Torah??

Lots of choices to choose from.

One opinion is that the most important one is the one that breeds greatness.

The parsha has a common denominator. Everything is connected to Eretz Yisrael, the Beis Hamikdash, & of course the final geula.

‏במהירה בימינו אמן

Every time Balak tried to curse Klal Yisrael it turned into a blessing. The worst turned into the best. The same can be said by us. It seems like the worst has taken place, but in reality, its the best.

You'd think that after failing once, Bilam would stop to get rid of Klal Yisrael. But he didn't stop. He refused to get the message. His advise to Pharaoh failed, and now this also did. Not only that, but his curses turned into brachas.

The difference between Avraham Avinu & Bilam is very stark in a number of ways. But Bilam took it to a new low. He ended up like an animal.

In the parsha we have the death of both Aharon & Miriam. When they passed away, something disappeared from within Klal Yisrael. The power that a tzaddik has is enormous. If you know one, don't let him get away.

The Torah refers to Parah Adumah as a "chok". But it calls it Chukas Hatorah. Why is that?

The Torah is teaches us from here that everything is really a chok.