Then came the daughters of Zelophehad, the son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, of the families of Manasseh the son of Joseph: and these are the names of his daughters; Mahlah, Noah, and Hoglah, and Milcah, and Tirzah. And they stood before Moses, and before Eleazar the priest, and before the princes and all the congregation, by the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, saying, Our father died in the wilderness, and he was not in the company of them that gathered themselves together against the Lord in the company of Korah; but died in his own sin, and had no sons. Why should the name of our father be done away from among his family, because he hath no son? Give unto us therefore a possession among the brethren of our father(Num. 27:1-4).
The five daughters of Zelophehad came before Moses with an unprecedented request. Their father had died in the wilderness, as appointed by God. Your carcases shall fall in this wilderness; and all that were numbered of you, according to your whole number, from twenty years old and upward, which have murmured against me (Num. 14:29). At the time of his death, Zelophehad was still a legitimate heir to the promise, but he died without a male heir or any prospect of a male heir. In accordance with tradition and tribal inheritance laws, this meant that his line was ended, and his portion of inheritance under the promise was forfeit. His five unmarried daughters were left with nothing. While tradition dictated they be charitably provided for by tribal relatives, they had no inheritance or personal standing amongst the children of Israel. Now, as the people were being numbered in preparation for entering the land of Canaan, the sisters challenged their status under the law. Why should the name of our father be done away from among his family, because he hath no son? Give unto us therefore a possession among the brethren of our father.
Coming together as one, they stood before Moses, claiming their right to inheritance under the promise of God. They were not challenging tribal law (although their claim ran contrary to it); instead, they were stating that their existence as descendants of Abraham and children of God under the promise was not erased by the death of their father or the absence of a male heir to continue the line. Full of faith and confident in the grace of God, they made their petition. And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask any thing according to His will, He heareth us: And if we know that He hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him (I John 5:14-15).
Had the sisters meekly turned away, bowed to the traditions of their people, and never stated a claim, their inheritance would never have been realized. Had they quietly grumbled amongst themselves or complained to friends instead of bringing the matter to God, they would have been left bitter and unsatisfied. Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not (James 4:2). Yet by faithfully presenting their need to God and trusting in Him to fill it, they were greatly blessed.
Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened(Matt. 7:7-8).
Thought for Today: Take care not to mistake earthly tradition for Biblical truth.
Christ Portrayed:By the man (Joshua) who would lead the people like a shepherd (Num. 27:17). Jesus said: I am the Good Shepherd: the Good Shepherd giveth His life for the sheep. My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me (John 10:11,27).
Word Studies:26:2 the sum = a census; 26:9 strove against = rebelled against; 26:61 strange = unauthorized; 27:13 shall be gathered to = brought to former loved ones; 27:14 sanctify Me = loving obedience and submission; 27:18 lay thine hand = transfer authority; 27:19 give him a charge = commission him as your successor.
Pray For StaffSolomon Islands (609,883) South Pacific Ocean • Major Languages: Melanesian Pidgin, 120 Indigenous Languages • Religious Freedom • 73.4% Protestant; 19.6% Roman Catholic; 2.9% Other Christian; 4% Other; 0.1% None/Unspecified • Prayer Suggestion: Seek the Lord when in despair; He is your deliverer (Jon. 2:5-6).
Optional Reading:Luke 11