- [Narrator] Hidden
teachings of the Bible: The daughters of Zelophehad. We are told a story in the book of Exodus about five women who
created significant change. It was the 40th year since
the Exodus from Egypt, shortly before the Jewish people were to enter the promised land. Moses was informed by
Yahweh that the allotment of each tribe's territory
would be determined among other factors
through a lottery system. Every man in the tribe would
be given a piece of land within their tribe's territory. When the man passes away, his
son will inherit his property. This ensures that each plot
will stay within the family it was initially assigned to. Numbers 26:2, "Take a
census of all the males in the congregation of the sons of Israel from 20 years old and upward
by their father's households, all in Israel who are able to go to war." As part of the list of the various clans we read that Zelophehad had
no sons, only daughters. Numbers 26:33, "Zelophehad,
the son of Hepher, had no sons, but only daughters, and the names of Zelophehad's daughters were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah,
Milcah and Tirzah." Zelophehad was one of
the men that left Egypt and headed for the promised land under the leadership of Moses. Many of those men died in the wilderness. After Zelophehad passed
away in the desert, his daughters were concerned that they might not be entitled
to a portion of the land. As a result, they sought
assistance from Moses. When the daughters of
Zelophehad were growing up, women did not have the freedom to take over their father's possessions. So these ladies were in a tough position. "Then the five daughters of
Zelophehad, the son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, from
the tribes of Manasseh, who was the son of Joseph,
approached with a request. These are the names of his daughters, Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah and Tirzah. They stood before Moses,
Eleazar the priest, the leaders and all the congregation of the doorway of the tent
of meeting tabernacle saying, 'Our father died in the wilderness. He was not among those
who assembled together against the Lord in the company of Korah, but he died for his own sin as did all those who rebelled
at Kadesh and he had no sons. Why should the name of our father be removed from his family
because he had no son? Give us a possession. Land among our father's brothers.' So, Moses brought their
case before the Lord." Numbers 27:1-5. Spurgeon used the daughters of Zelophehad as examples of brave
people who came forward to accept an inheritance by faith. They said, "Why should
the name of our father be removed from among his family?" The daughters of
Zelophehad raised a concern about their inheritance. Since Zelophehad didn't have any kids to take over his land
and carry on his name, denying inheritance to the only people who were related to him
would get rid of his name. Traditionally, when there
were sons born to a family a father's property was divided between his sons after his death. The oldest son receiving
twice as much as his brothers. Deuteronomy 21:15-17, Amplified Bible, "If a man has two wives, one
loved and the other unloved, and both the loved and the
unloved have born him sons, and the firstborn son
belongs to the unloved wife, then on the day when he wills
his possessions to his sons, he cannot treat the son of
his loved wife as firstborn in place of the son of the unloved wife, the actual firstborn. Instead, he shall acknowledge
the son of the unloved as the first born by
giving him a double portion of all that he has for he was
the beginning of his strength. Generative power, to him belongs the rights of the firstborn." We read, "So, Moses brought
their case before the Lord." When confronted with a great challenge Moses responded as he should
have, Moses sought God. We also see the wisdom of Moses here. If this was a leader that did
not seek the voice of God, he could easily have dismissed
Zelophehad's daughters. This could not be the only time Moses brought people's cases to God. This is definitely the
heart of a righteous leader. A popular Bible commenter noted, "For it was a hard case, and though their plea seemed reasonable, yet Moses showed his humility and modesty that he would not determine it himself without God's particular direction." These verses also give an indication how case law might have
operated in Israel. The general laws would've been promulgated then legitimate exceptions
or special considerations would come to the elders and perhaps be brought to Moses himself. He then would await a
decision from the Lord. Numbers 27:6-8, "Then
the Lord said to Moses, 'The request of the daughters
of Zelophehad is justified. You shall certainly give them a possession of an inheritance among
their father's brothers and you shall transfer their
father's inheritance to them. Further, you shall say to the Israelites, if a man dies and has no son you shall transfer his
inheritance to his daughter.'" It seems that God was pleased when the daughters of Zelophehad presented their concerns to Moses. As a result, God announced
that if a father had no sons his inheritance would be
passed down to his daughters. This was a significant change in inheritance law at the time and demonstrated God's fairness and consideration for all his children. We even read the phrase, "...give them..." In Hebrew the word is
masculine to indicate that women in this situation should enjoy the man's privilege and that the heavenly Canaan
whereof this was a type did not belong no less
to women than to men. These laws were created with
the expectation and belief that land of Canaan would be inherited. This was only an issue for
the daughters of Zelophehad, because they were women of faith who really believed Israel would
possess the land of Canaan. The daughters of Zelophehad's case helped to clarify the law of inheritance
for the people of Israel. Due to the ruling regarding
the daughters of Zelophehad women were included in the list of eligible heirs of property. The inheritance order was as follows, son, daughter, brother, paternal uncle and nearest kin within the clan. It was not permissible
to transfer property outside of one's tribe. In Numbers 36, we hear about
Zelophehad's children again. This time it was in relation
to whom they could marry. A potential problem loomed. If the daughters who now owned land married men from other tribes, they would join their husband's tribe and take their father's land with them. God gave a simple remedy to what could have been a big problem. God instructed that the
daughters of Zelophehad could marry anyone they wanted within their father's tribal clan. Numbers 36:7, Amplified Bible, "So no inheritance of the Israelites shall be transferred from tribe to tribe. For every one of the Israelites shall hold the inheritance of the tribe
of his father, tribal ancestry. No inheritance was to
pass from tribe to tribe. The five sisters complied with this ruling and married their cousins
on their father's side. This kept the land allotment intact." Numbers 36:10-11, Amplified Bible, "The daughters of Zelophehad did as the Lord commanded Moses. For Mahlah, Tirzah, Hoglah,
and Milcah, and Noah. the daughters of Zelophehad were married to sons of their father's brothers." Throughout the Bible,
God shows special concern for the widow and the orphan. We read over and over how God makes special provisions for them as He did for the daughters of Zelophehad. God is the loving father of all children who have been orphaned. Psalms 68:5 tells us, "A father of the fatherless and a judge and protector of the widows is God in His holy habitation." His aim is to show orphans
mercy, care and protection. And because these waiting
children are essential to Him they should be essential
to us as His church. Justice is a fundamental
part of God's character as we are shown in the Bible. 'Cause even one child does not know the love of a family is a great injustice and there are millions of
children living in this reality. Deuteronomy 10:18 says, "He executes justice for
the orphan and the widow and shows His love for the stranger, resident alien, foreigner, by
giving him food and clothing." Also, Psalms 10:14 says, "But you do see, for you
note mischief and vexation that you may take it into your hands to you the helpless commits himself. You have been the helper
of the fatherless." God promises security and aid to those who cannot guard themselves. He also asks us to do something about it. God invites everyone
to play his or her part in working toward justice. Genealogies rarely mention a woman, the principle of male
headship within the churches was retained by the apostles. 1 Peter 3:1-2, Amplified Bible, "In the same way, you wives be submissive to your own husbands,
subordinate, not as inferior, but out of respect for
the responsibilities entrusted to husbands and
their accountability to God, and so partnering with them. So that even if some do
not obey the Word of God, they may be won over to Christ without discussion by the
godly lives of their wives. When they see your modest
and respectful behavior, together with your
devotion and appreciation, love your husband, encourage him, and enjoy him as a blessing from God." The significance of their
action cannot be overstated. They approach the entrance
of the tabernacle, which served as the location
for the assemblies leaders to convene, and more notably, the place where the judge
of all the Earth resided. They sought to the protection of God who was known to defend the
rights of the vulnerable ensuring that they had a
rightful place in the land. Isaiah 5:8, Amplified Bible, "Woe judgment is coming to
those who join house to house and join field to field
to increase their holdings by depriving others until there
is no more room for others so that you have to live alone
in the midst of the land." The appeal made by Zelophehad's daughters gained them justice and a permanent law was given
to Israel to defend others who would be in similar situations. This was not an incidental
detail in Israel's life. The spiritual significance
of this issue is immense. Canaan was the homeland where God would establish fellowship
with His people. If anyone were excluded, they would be kept out
of God's fellowship. Canaan was not just a
place in which to live nor was it a mere token of the
new Earth and new Jerusalem. Through the instruction
which was to be gained here, men and women would
enter the kingdom of God. Therefore, this was no trivial matter. These ladies were informed, but more importantly,
they were courageous. They boldly brought their case to Moses. Moses who was a humble
and meek servant of God did not drive them away
or belittle their claims, but also took their case
to the Lord in prayer. This is why we really need courage. In fact, it should be
one of our greatest need, if we truly hope to
face hindrance and win. In the Bible, courage is
also called good cheer, as in Mark 6:50. The Greek word translated
courage and good cheer means literally boldness and confidence. In the Bible, courage
is the opposite of fear. When God commands us to fear not, to be of good cheer and to have courage, He's always commanding against fear, which is the opposite of courage. Luke 12:32, Amplified Bible, "Do not be afraid and
anxious, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." In this great promise lies
the basis of our confidence, our courage, and our good cheer. Although few details are given
about the sisters themselves carefully reading the sources portrays intelligent and pious women. The name of two of the
sisters, Noah and Tirzah, have been popular Israeli names. Bold, faith-filled, and courageous
words perfectly describe these unforgettable
daughters of Zelophehad. Let us pray. Our Father, we know that Your heart is glad when we overcome, because our triumph over the
challenges that confront us show the world Your reality, and we can hold on with tenacity and not crumble at the
sight of hindrances. Just like the daughters of
Zelophehad, Hezekiah and Jacob, we will realize that God
is able to empower us to live as overcomers as
we emerge victoriously. Please empower us to remain
resolute when we are challenged and help us to always look up to Jesus, the one who triumphed over
horrible trials and wickedness. We thank You for Your grace that is always sufficient for us. In the name of Jesus, courage will never elude us. Amen.
