Focus Chapters:
- Numbers 27-29
Standout Verse(s):
THE ACTION
Numbers 27:1-4 NLT
One day a petition was presented by the daughters of Zelophehad—Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. Their father, Zelophehad, was a descendant of Hepher son of Gilead, son of Makir, son of Manasseh, son of Joseph. These women stood before Moses, Eleazar the priest, the tribal leaders, and the entire community at the entrance of the Tabernacle.“Our father died in the wilderness,” they said. “He was not among Korah’s followers, who rebelled against the Lord; he died because of his own sin. But he had no sons. Why should the name of our father disappear from his clan just because he had no sons? Give us property along with the rest of our relatives.”
THE REACTION
Numbers 27:5-11 NLT
So Moses brought their case before the Lord. And the Lord replied to Moses, “The claim of the daughters of Zelophehad is legitimate. You must give them a grant of land along with their father’s relatives. Assign them the property that would have been given to their father.
“And give the following instructions to the people of Israel: If a man dies and has no son, then give his inheritance to his daughters. And if he has no daughter either, transfer his inheritance to his brothers. If he has no brothers, give his inheritance to his father’s brothers. But if his father has no brothers, give his inheritance to the nearest relative in his clan. This is a legal requirement for the people of Israel, just as the Lord commanded Moses.”
Observation (s):
- The women stood up and spoke about what they strongly believed in. They stood for their rights and the rights of their family.
One day a petition was presented by the daughters of Zelophehad—Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. Their father, Zelophehad, was a descendant of Hepher son of Gilead, son of Makir, son of Manasseh, son of Joseph. These women stood before Moses, Eleazar the priest, the tribal leaders, and the entire community at the entrance of the Tabernacle.“Our father died in the wilderness,” they said. “He was not among Korah’s followers, who rebelled against the Lord; he died because of his own sin. But he had no sons. Why should the name of our father disappear from his clan just because he had no sons? Give us property along with the rest of our relatives.”
- Moses took the women’s case seriously. As he does for all cases that has an exception, he presented the matter before God.
So Moses brought their case before the Lord.
- God’s response instructed Moses on how to handle the issue at hand and how to deal with matters such as this in the future. His directions cover the present and future.
And the Lord replied to Moses, “The claim of the daughters of Zelophehad is legitimate. You must give them a grant of land along with their father’s relatives. Assign them the property that would have been given to their father.
“And give the following instructions to the people of Israel: If a man dies and has no son, then give his inheritance to his daughters. And if he has no daughter either, transfer his inheritance to his brothers. If he has no brothers, give his inheritance to his father’s brothers. But if his father has no brothers, give his inheritance to the nearest relative in his clan. This is a legal requirement for the people of Israel, just as the Lord commanded Moses.”
Application:
Sometimes, in trying to fit into the status quo, we get quiet. Our quietness or tameness cause us to be overlooked. We can certainly learn something from Zelophehad’s daughters who had the courage to rationally speak up about something that they considered an injustice! If these women had not come forward, their inheritance would have been allotted to their father’s brothers or their nearest male relative. Their courage to speak up ensured that fair discussions took place and through this, they were not overlooked when their inheritance was allotted.
Today also reminds us that a position of leadership comes with great responsibility. Like Moses, it is our solemn duty to treat all we govern fairly. Moses’s approach did not waver when he dealt with the women. He still choose to approach God about matters that were not clear-cut. Through this, he was not only given a solution for the present situation but also given an approach as to how to deal with similar situations in the future.
Are you focused on fitting the status quo? Don’t allow your silence to be the root cause of you being overlooked when your inheritance is being allotted. Are you a leader? Be fair and compassionate to all.
