6This is what the Lord commands for Zelophehad’s daughters: They may marry anyone they please as long as they marry within their father’s tribal clan.
7No inheritance in Israel is to pass from one tribe to another, for every Israelite shall keep the tribal inheritance of their ancestors.
8Every daughter who inherits land in any Israelite tribe must marry someone in her father’s tribal clan, so that every Israelite will possess the inheritance of their ancestors.
9No inheritance may pass from one tribe to another, for each Israelite tribe is to keep the land it inherits."
- P67
10So Zelophehad’s daughters did as the Lord commanded Moses.
11Zelophehad’s daughters—Mahlah, Tirzah, Hoglah, Milkah and Noah—married their cousins on their father’s side.
12They married within the clans of the descendants of Manasseh son of Joseph, and their inheritance remained in their father’s tribe and clan.
13These are the commands and regulations the Lord gave through Moses to the Israelites on the plains of Moab by the Jordan across from Jericho.
- P67
The leaders of Manasseh worry that if the daughters of Zelophehad marryoutside the tribe, their land will transfer to another tribe. God commands thedaughters of Zelophehad to marry within their tribe to keep land inheritancestable. - P67
The daughters obey, preserving their family‘s portion. - P67
The leaders of the clan of Gilead come to Moses with a concern about the inheritance of Zelophehad’s daughters. They fear that if the daughters marry men from other tribes, their land would eventually belong to the tribes they marry into. - P68
The Lord affirms that the leaders present a legitimate concern; they rightfully want to protect their clan’s inheritance. His instruction is that the daughters of Zelophehad can marry whoever they please within their father’s tribal clan, ensuring the land stays within the tribe. - P68
While granting them the right to inherit, God sets boundaries to preserve the inheritance of each tribe. God cares about maintaining fairness within His community. - P68
He turns our thoughtful questions into perfect solutions that align with His divine order.
- P68
The daughters of Zelophehad respond to God‘s instructions in obedience,
placing God‘s will above their own. This is important because God‘s instructions provide the blueprint for how God‘s people are to build theirlives as they enter the promised land. - P68
Now, as the Israelites camp on theplains of Moab, about to crossoss the JordanJordan River to take possession of theirinheritance, God presents them with a manual for life. - P68
They are to carefullyprotect their inheritance, whichnot only their land but also theirfaith. Though granted freedoms, they must be guided by thecommands given by God. - P68
Ultimately, they must place God‘s commandsabove their own desires. For God‘s people, obedience is the key to life. - P68
Heavenly Father, thank you for revealing the blueprint for my life and guiding me to live in a way that honors You. - P69
Help me align every area of my life with Your will so that I may glorify You. In Jesus’ name, amen. - P69
As we complete one phase of our journey and prepare for the next, we oftereflect on our mistakes and make plans to avoid repeating them. In a similway, the book of Numbers recounts the Israelites‘ long journey toward thepromised land. It recounts the census, the giving of the Law, and the distrbution of the land. It concludes with additions to the Law that will guithe Israelites‘ new way of life in the promised land. - P69
God has already provided everything they need, now it is up to the Israelites to commit to theway of life He has set before them. When they possess the land, they muremember the God who spoke to Zelophehad‘s daughters. - P69
He is a Gowho upholds His commands, grants privileges within the good boundariesof His will, and expects obedience from His people. - P69
Remembering God‘sprovision and instructions is key at every stage of our lives, whether we areat the end of one chapter or at the beginning of another. - P69
|