Scripture: “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. 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.” Numbers 27:3-4 ESV
Observation: Having resolved the crises at Peor, part one of the book of Numbers concludes. Appropriately, part two (Chapter 26) commences with the census of the new generation plus their leaders, Caleb and Joshua (denoting a fresh start). Instructed by God, Moses and Eleazer, the priest, record the clan leaders and the numbers from each tribe, including the Levites. Finally, the Lord instructs Moses to divide each tribe’s inheritance of the Promised Land based on population size once they take possession.
Chapter 27 continues the theme of land rights when Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah, the daughters of Zelophehad, approach Moses and Eleazar before their fellow Israelites at the entrance to the tent of meeting (vv.1-2). Here, the five daughters of the deceased Zelophehad explain he had no sons and contend they deserve a share of their father’s brothers’ land allocation. Bringing their case before the Lord, Yahweh tells Moses Zelophehad’s daughters are within their rights, instructs Moses to make this a statute for future generations, and further details the distribution of inheritances when there are no children.
Takeaway: As theologian Ronald Allen notes, these five daughters of Zelophehad took a significant risk in marching to the tent of meeting to contend for their rights. Except for Miriam, the sister of Moses, we do not read of women coming to this holy ground reserved for the priests, Levites, and tribal chiefs. But Zelophehad’s daughters convincingly argue their position based on two key points. First, their father died for his trespasses (but not as one of those who participated in Korah’s rebellion). Allen notes that these remarkable women demonstrate their understanding of the condition and nature of sin by not excusing their father. Moreover, “they show their understanding of the reality of God’s judgment combined with a sense of his mercy” (The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Numbers).
Secondly, they rightfully contend that the passing of their father’s land inheritance would ensure his name would not disappear from among the clans of the nation. As Allen explains, “One’s meaning in the community is dependent on the survival of his name in the distribution of land in the time of conquest” (The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Numbers). Showing such piety and knowledge of the law, Yahweh grants these daughters their request for land rights and exceeds it with the provision that it would pass to their next generation as it would for any male (v.7).
So what’s our takeaway. While Christ emancipated women and children in a male-dominated world, his Heavenly Father planted the seeds of change twelve hundred years earlier—showing the intent and direction of the New Covenant of Grace. As members of our community of believers, those who are still fighting for equal rights will do well to exhibit piety and knowledge, dignity and competency, and humility and courage. These attributes will move mountains of recalcitrant biases. And the church, in general, needs to uphold the continuity of our biblical narrative and not fall into the trap of referring to two Gods of the Old and New Testament. Our treasure of Scripture tells the story of one good, gracious, and loving God who became flesh and died for sinners, regardless of their gender, ethnicity, or station in life. Consequently, he has given us an enduring name in the family line and an inheritance in his glorious kingdom. Hallelujah!
Prayer: Father God, we thank that you are the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow: good, gracious, merciful, holy, and loving to all who call you by name. So would you please help us to exercise elements of your godly attributes in pressing forward the boundaries of your Son’s Gospel of Grace into areas of our world where the rights of women, children, and minorities need reform? Amen.
Rev. Gordon Green, M.Div., M.A. Counseling
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