Numbers
chapter 27 discusses the final steps of preparation for the new
generation of Israel to take possession of the Promised Land. The
chapter begins with four daughters of Zelophehad boldly coming before
Moses demanding their share of their fathers’ inheritance in the
land. They claim since he was a descendant of Joseph, but had no
sons THEY are entitled to his portion. “Why
should our father’s name disappear from his clan because he had not
sons? Give us property among our relatives.”
At a time when women were not afforded the same rights as men, and
in other societies even treated as property; it is amazing how God
answers. “What
the daughters of Zelophehad are saying is right. You must certainly
give them their property as an inheritance among their father’s
relatives.”
Realize that the nation HAS NOT TAKEN POSSESSION OF THE LAND YET!
These daughters show great faith and apparently God rewards their
faith with a full inheritance. The laws of inheritance are
established so near relatives can receive full rights of ownership if
the owner dies.
Next,
God reminds Moses the time to “be
gathered to your people as your brother Aaron was”
is nearing. God reminds Moses of his disobedience “to
honor Me as holy”
before the eyes of the nation when Moses struck the rock in the
desert of Zin. God graciously will allow Moses to “go
up this mountain in the Abarim range and see the land I have given
the Israelites”
before he dies. The most amazing thing to note is Moses’ reaction.
He does not argue with God, or whine; he simply expresses concern
for the nation. “May
the Lord … appoint a man over this community… who will lead them…
so the Lord’s people will not be as sheep without a shepherd.”
Through his humility, Moses expressed concern for God’s people and
a warning to those that might be wandering without a shepherd.
God
commands, “Take
Joshua, son of Nun, a man in whom is the Spirit and lay your hand on
him. Have him stand before Eleazar the priest and the entire
assembly and commission him in their presence. Give him some of your
authority so the whole Israelite community will obey him.”
And the reaction of Moses demonstrates the man he has become; “Moses
did what the Lord commanded him“.
After Moses there will not be another man with the same authority
and access to God, until the Messiah comes. Jesus is called the
Deliverer, the Great High Priest, the Good Shepherd, the Son of God,
but He is also called our near kinsman. Almighty God became man so
we might become joint heirs by faith in Him. We receive our full
eternal inheritance by the Holy Spirit of God. Romans 8:16 tells us
when we accept Christ as our Lord, “The
Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of
God.”
May you experience the presence of God’s Holy Spirit in a new way
today.