Numbers 27 - 9.23.21
Scripture - What stood out?
Numbers 27:1-7 ESV
Then drew near the daughters of Zelophehad the son of Hepher, son of Gilead, son of Machir, son of Manasseh, from the clans of Manasseh the son of Joseph. The names of his daughters were: Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. 2 And they stood before Moses and before Eleazar the priest and before the chiefs and all the congregation, at the entrance of the tent of meeting, saying, 3 “Our father died in the wilderness. He was not among the company of those who gathered themselves together against the Lord in the company of Korah, but died for his own sin. And he had no sons. 4 Why should the name of our father be taken away from his clan because he had no son? Give to us a possession among our father's brothers.”
5 Moses brought their case before the Lord. 6 And the Lord said to Moses, 7 “The daughters of Zelophehad are right. You shall give them possession of an inheritance among their father's brothers and transfer the inheritance of their father to them.
Observation - What does it say?
In the previous chapter of the same book it had been decided by the Lord in verse 55, ‘But the land shall be divided by lot. According to the names of the tribes of their fathers they shall inherit.’ The Lord had laid down law. The Lord had. Yet the daughters of Zelophehad appear in front of Moses, Eleazar, and the chiefs of all the congregation, and even this great board of elders appears to be stumped by this request. God hears their case and amends His own law.
Understanding - What does it mean?
They were aligned with God’s heart.
I believe that the daughters of Zelophehad, aptly named, had a deep desire to honor God and to honor their father. Beginning in verse three the daughters begin their argument by trying to clear their father’s good name. (Some scholars believe that Zelophehad is the same sabbath breaking and stick gathering sinner in Numbers 15.)In verse four they once again make it clear that this is about their father’s namesake not their own. And they conclude by asking for - what belonged to their father.
There is some fairly intense scholarly debate over whether Zelophehad was a good or a bad man. But I believe his daughters loved and cared for him deeply. So much so that they were willing and able to stand before the leaders of their nation and plead their case. The daughters are known to me by their wisdom of God’s law and their bravery.
But I wonder...Where did they get their wisdom and their bravery from? There is one particular interpretation of this sabbath breaking stick gathering story that peaks my interest. One in which a man who so loved his nation that he desired to show them what disobedience to God would look like. Who chose to willingly disobey God on a sabbath day so that current and future generations would understand how important it was to obey the Lord. And did this at the risk of his own life. I wonder if such an act would be considered to show wisdom in God’s law and bravery. And that perhaps a man like that would also have a deep desire to pass on his wisdom and courage to his children.
Life Application - How can I apply this to my life today?
Only You have all the answers Lord, but my prayer is that you have opened my eyes to a truer understanding of Your word. There are so many angles to this story that I would love to ask You about, but I land at the same conclusion. The daughters chose to honor You. And they chose to honor their father. It wasn’t about their own name. It was about their father’s. They chose humility over pride. How can I align myself more fully with you today oh Lord! For my life application today I would like to refer to myself as simply a son of God. Help me to make it about Your name’s sake! Holy Spirit give me an opportunity today to give glory to and spread the reputation of God the Father, Jesus His Son, and You Holy Spirit! In the name of Jesus do I pray, amen.
-a son of God (lowercase s was used)
