Suggested Bible Reading: Numbers 26-27
Devotional Thought:
In this chapter three incidents are recorded. There is the law of inheritance and the question of the daughters of Zelophehad in vs. 1-11. Then, in vs. 12-17, there is the loss that Moses suffered through his transgression. Finally the appointment of Joshua as the new leader of the people is recorded in vs. 18-23. Thus these daughters were to possess the inheritance, Moses because of God’s discipline on him could not enjoy the inheritance, and Joshua was the chosen leader to take them into the inheritance. It is a chapter that starts with a new problem and ends with a new leader. It is an interesting chapter, especially regarding the inheritance and the new law introduced so that these five daughters could possess their inheritance. The faith that prompted the request of these daughters is to be admired and learned from. Zelophehad had died not having any sons. (26:33) His daughters, fearing that they would be left without an inheritance, requested that they and their sons should succeed to their father’s inheritance and thus perpetuate his name. This was a new situation in Israel and there was no law at that time regarding this. So Moses “brought their cause before the Lord.” (vs. 5) Moses sets a great example for us when we are faced with a new problem or opportunity. Go before the Lord! Here, then, is a new problem that faced the new generation, as they were about to enter into the land. Secular humanism with a socialistic emphasis is a new problem for our new generation to solve. In Israel’s problem, God had regard to the concern of these women. It shows even in the early days of Israel that the woman was not to be despised. At that time, within nations other than Israel, women were just not counted and the laws left them out. The law that was brought in to accommodate these women was quite remarkable for its time. It would be commonplace today, and the accepted thing to listen to and act upon women’s rights. The Word of God gives women a special place and unique role in society, and were it not for its teaching as to the place and role of women, they would have continued to be downtrodden and treated as a piece of property in some countries. This was the case in many areas of the world until the arrival of the gospel; where the gospel has triumphed some very bad customs regarding attitudes toward women. In the institution of the family, the woman is the weaker vessel and her position in the church of God is one of subjection, yet this should not mean that her enjoyment of the spiritual inheritance should in any way be lessened. Like her brothers in Christ the Christian woman has the same blessings and the same great prospect of heavenly things.
Prayer Requests:
• Lord, please help me always remember the importance of each individual role you have designed. Please help me to find complete confidence and contentment in the roles you have designed for me.
• Lord, thank you for your grace. It is evident in so many details as I study the Bible. Thank you for paying attention to the details of my life.
• Lord, please help me to remember to show this kind of grace as new problems are presented to me to solve with a new generation.