The story of the five daughters of Zelophehad, told in the book of Numbers chapter 27, holds many lessons for us today. Allow me to share some reflections inspired by this story. First, let’s briefly recall the context.
In Moses’ time, when the Israelites were in the desert after leaving Egypt, God had given laws regarding the distribution of the lands of Canaan among the tribes. The land was to be divided according to the number of men in each tribe. Now Zelophehad, of the tribe of Manasseh, had died in the desert without leaving any sons, only five daughters.
It was the fortieth year since the exodus from Egypt, shortly before the people of Israel were to enter the promised land. Moses was informed by Yahweh that the allocation of territory for each tribe would be determined in part by a lottery system. Each man of the tribe would receive a piece of land within their tribal territory.
Upon his death, his son would inherit his property. This ensured that each plot of land would remain in the family it was originally allocated to. Numbers 26:2 “Take a census of the whole Israelite community by families—all those twenty years old or more who are able to serve in the army of Israel.
” In the list of the various clans, we read that Zelophehad, son of Hepher, had no sons but only daughters. Numbers 26:33 “Zelophehad son of Hepher had no sons; he had only daughters, whose names were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milkah and Tirzah. ” Zelophehad was among the men who had left Egypt for the promised land under the leadership of Moses.
Many of these men had died in the desert. After Zelophehad’s death in the desert, his daughters worried they may not have the right to any land. They asked Moses for assistance.
Women did not have the freedom to take possession of their father’s goods, so these ladies found themselves in a difficult position. Numbers 27, verses 1 to 5. “The daughters of Zelophehad son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Makir, the son of Manasseh, belonged to the clans of Manasseh son of Joseph.
The names of the daughters were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milkah and Tirzah. They came forward 2 and stood before Moses, Eleazar the priest, the leaders and the whole assembly at the entrance to the tent of meeting and said, 3 “Our father died in the wilderness. He was not among Korah’s followers, who banded together against the Lord, but he died for his own sin and left no sons.
4 Why should our father’s name disappear from his clan because he had no son? Give us property among our father’s relatives. ” 5 So Moses brought their case before the Lord.
” Charles Spurgeon, famous 19th century Baptist preacher, also meditated on the story of Zelophehad’s daughters in one of his sermons. In his sermon entitled “The Irresistible Pleas of Women of Faith”, Spurgeon praises the courage and determination of these women who dared approach Moses to demand justice. He notes that far from lamenting or pitying themselves, they had the wisdom to go directly to the source of power to argue their case with humility yet firmly.
According to Spurgeon, their humble but resolute plea touched Moses’ heart, who consulted God on the matter. And their legitimate request led to a positive change in the law for generations to come. Spurgeon argues that the example of these women illustrates that divine Providence often uses those the world despises - in this case, women without social standing - to accomplish great things and advance God’s plan of justice and mercy.
Their story is a powerful source of inspiration for all those who struggle peacefully yet determinedly for justice. Thus, Spurgeon encourages his audience to emulate the courageous and wise faith of these women, by daring to approach the throne of grace with confidence to plead their cause. And he assures them that their humble and respectful perseverance will eventually bear fruit for the glory of God.
He used the daughters of Zelophehad as examples of courageous people who came to claim an inheritance through faith. They came to Moses and said: “Why should our father’s name disappear from his clan because he had no son? Give us property among our father’s relatives.
” (Numbers 27:4). Their request was fair, because without inheritance, they would be left destitute and vulnerable. They had raised a concern about their inheritance.
Since their father had no sons to inherit his land and continue his name, denying inheritance to his only living relatives would erase his name. Traditionally, when sons were born into a family, the father’s property was divided among his sons after his death. The oldest son received twice as much as his brothers, Deuteronomy 21:15-17 “If a man has two wives, and he loves one but not the other, and both bear him sons but the firstborn is the son of the wife he does not love, 16 when he wills his property to his sons, he must not give the rights of the firstborn to the son of the wife he loves in preference to his actual firstborn, the son of the wife he does not love.
17 He must acknowledge the son of his unloved wife as the firstborn by giving him a double share of all he has. That son is the first sign of his father’s strength. The right of the firstborn belongs to him.
” Numbers 27 verse 5 tells us: “Moses brought their case before the Lord. ” When facing a major challenge, Moses reacted as he should. Moses sought God.
We also see the wisdom of Moses here. A leader who had not sought God’s voice could have easily dismissed the daughters of Zelophehad. This was not the only time Moses brought the people’s cases before God.
This is truly the heart of a righteous leader. A famous Bible commentator noted: “It was a difficult matter, and though their plea seemed reasonable, Moses did not presume to decide so important a case without divine direction. ” These verses also give an indication of how case law operated in Israel.
General laws were laid down. Then legitimate exceptions or special considerations were brought before the elders and perhaps Moses himself. He then waited for the Lord’s decision.
Numbers 27, verses 6-8: “The Lord said to Moses, “What Zelophehad’s daughters are saying is right. You must certainly give them property as an inheritance among their father’s relatives and give their father’s inheritance to them. “Say to the Israelites, ‘If a man dies and leaves no son, give his inheritance to his daughter.
” It seems God was pleased when Zelophehad’s daughters presented their concerns to Moses. As a result, God announced that if a father had no sons, his inheritance would pass to his daughters. This was a huge change in the inheritance laws at that time, demonstrating God’s fairness and care for all His children.
We even read the phrase “you must give”, which in Hebrew is masculine to indicate that women in this situation should enjoy a man’s privilege, and the heavenly Canaan, which this foreshadowed, belonged no less to women than men. These laws were made with the expectation and belief that the land of Canaan would be inherited. It was only a problem for Zelophehad’s daughters because they were women of faith who truly believed Israel would possess the land of Canaan.
The case of Zelophehad’s daughters helped clarify the inheritance law for the people of Israel. Following the decision regarding Zelophehad’s daughters, females were included in the list of eligible heirs. Thus, thanks to the courage and wisdom of these women, the law was amended to allow daughters to inherit in the absence of sons.
The order of inheritance was: son, daughter, brother, paternal uncle, and nearest relative within the clan. It was not permitted to transfer possessions outside of one’s tribe. In Numbers 36, we hear about Zelophehad’s children again, this time in relation to whom they could marry.
A potential issue loomed: if the daughters who now owned lands married men from other tribes, they would join their husband’s tribe and take their father’s land with them. God provided a simple remedy to what could have been a major problem. He ordered that Zelophehad’s daughters could marry anyone they wanted within their father’s tribal clan.
Numbers 36:7 “No inheritance in Israel is to pass from one tribe to another, for every Israelite shall keep the tribal inheritance of their ancestors. ” The 5 sisters complied with this decision and married their paternal cousins. This allowed the allotment of lands to remain intact.
Numbers 36:10-11 “So Zelophehad’s daughters did as the Lord commanded Moses. Zelophehad’s daughters —Mahlah, Tirzah, Hoglah, Milkah and Noah—married their cousins on their father’s side. ” The importance of the action of Zelophehad’s daughters cannot be overstated.
They approach the entrance of the tabernacle, which served as the meeting place for the leaders of the assembly and, more particularly, as the place where the judge of all the earth resided. They seek the protection of God who is known to uphold the rights of the most vulnerable, securing their legitimate place in the land. Isaiah 5:8 “Woe to you who add house to house and join field to field till no space is left and you live alone in the land.
” The request of Zelophehad’s daughters allowed them to obtain justice, and a permanent law was given to Israel to protect those who would find themselves in similar situations. As Martin Luther King said, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. ” Let us work together with courage and determination for a world of peace, dignity and justice for all.
Little streams make great rivers. Each of us has the power to be an agent of positive change. This story teaches us several important lessons.
First, it shows us the necessity to courageously defend justice, especially when it comes to the most vulnerable in society. Indeed, throughout the Bible, God shows special attention to the widow and the orphan. We read over and over how God makes special provisions for them, as He did for Zelophehad’s daughters.
God is the loving Father to all children left as orphans. Psalm 68:5 “A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. ” His purpose is to show mercy, care and protection to the orphans.
And because these vulnerable children are precious in His eyes, they should be precious to us as His Church as well. Justice is a fundamental part of God’s character, as the Bible shows us. For even one child not to know a family’s love is a great injustice, yet millions of children live this reality.
Deuteronomy 10:18 He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the foreigner residing among you, giving them food and clothing. Psalm 10:14 But you, God, see the trouble of the afflicted; you consider their grief and take it in hand. The victims commit themselves to you; you are the helper of the fatherless.
God promises safety and help to those who cannot protect themselves. He also asks us to act. God invites each one to play their role in advancing justice.
Zelophehad’s daughters could have resigned themselves to their fate, but they dared to wisely raise their voices to claim their rights. We too must not be afraid to denounce injustices, while demonstrating wisdom in our advocacy. Secondly, this story highlights the importance of listening to the voices of women and minorities.
Too often in history, and even still today, their voices are ignored or marginalized. Yet here, Moses pays attention to their legitimate request and presents it to God, leading to positive change. Let us be attentive to the voices of those society neglects!
Thirdly, the attitude of Zelophehad’s daughters shows great trust in God’s justice and goodness. They do not revolt bitterly, but address Moses respectfully and submit to the divine decision. We too should demonstrate such trust in the pursuit of justice.
. . .
Fourthly, this episode shows that God’s law is not rigid and immutable, but evolves to adapt to new situations, to better reflect divine justice. Fifthly, let us emphasize the value placed here on equality between men and women. By granting daughters the right to inherit just like sons, the law recognizes their full dignity and equality.
This was revolutionary at the time! Let us be advocates of this same equality in today’s society. .
. . Finally, this striking story reminds us that it is by joining forces that we can move society towards greater justice.
The courageous initiative of a few women had positive repercussions for all generations to come. Each of us has the power to be an agent of change and justice if we dare to rise up wisely as Zelophehad’s daughters did. Yes, my friends, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled” (Matthew 5:6).
May we learn from the boldness and wisdom of these women to work towards the coming of God’s Kingdom, where justice, peace, and dignity reign for all. God’s Word is full of many other stories of courageous and wise women, who contributed to the Lord’s work, often in the shadows . I think of Deborah, a prophetess and wise leader who freed her people from oppression, with the help of Barak (Judges 4-5).
She acted according to her faith in God to save her people. Ruth the Moabite also demonstrated great determination and loyalty. After her husband’s death, she chose to follow her mother-in-law Naomi, to settle in Bethlehem, in a foreign land.
She worked courageously and with dignity to provide for them. Her faith and loyalty were rewarded (Ruth 1-4). I think of Esther, a young Jewish woman who saved her people from slaughter by wisely taking risks (Esther 2-7).
Guided by her faith and trust in God, this young woman rose up to defend her people in the face of Haman the enemy’s decree. Or the prophetess Anna who was waiting for the deliverance of Israel in the Temple (Luke 2:36-38). Of course, there is Mary, the humble servant chosen by God to give birth to the Savior of the world.
In saying “yes” to the angel, she showed immense courage, accepting to overturn all her plans to surrender to God’s will. Mary reminds us that the smallest are great in the Lord’s eyes. Her song testifies to her trust in God (Luke 1:46-55).
Phoebe, a servant of the church in Cenchreae, supported and helped the apostle, Paul. He describes her as a “sister” and a “helper of many” (Romans 16:1-2). Her courageous service allowed the Gospel to move forward.
Priscilla, with her husband Aquila, also worked alongside Paul to advance the Good News, sometimes at the peril of their lives (Acts 18). They demonstrated great devotion. All these women showed faith, determination, and courage to serve God and His people.
Their example remains an inspiration for us today. They remind us that everyone can contribute to the coming of the Kingdom with their gifts. These women inspire us with their unshakable faith, courage, and determination.
They remind us that God can use those the world despises to accomplish great things. These biblical heroines did not act out of pride or thirst for power, but out of love for God and His people. Their example should spur us to use our talents in service of the Kingdom, with humility and wisdom.
Even today, women of faith are courageously engaging in Gospel service, in all spheres of society. They are tremendous witnesses to Christ’s love, very often in the shadows. Let us give thanks for these brave-hearted Christian women!
Their example should inspire us to use our gifts in service of the Kingdom, wherever God has placed us. The story of Zelophehad’s daughters and biblical examples of women of faith encourage us to work for justice with wisdom and perseverance. Although few details are given about the sisters themselves, a close reading of the sources depicts intelligent and pious women.
The names of two of the sisters, Noa and Tirza, have become popular Israeli girl names. Bold, faithful, and courageous are words that perfectly describe these unforgettable daughters of Zelophehad. We too, dare to step out of our comfort zone when the Spirit prompts us to speak up or act.
God can use our weaknesses to accomplish great things. Let us move forward together with courage and confidence, under the loving gaze of the Father. And may we say with the Apostle Paul: “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
” (Philippians 4:13) Let’s pray. Our Father, we know your heart rejoices when we triumph because our victory over the challenges before us shows the world your reality, and we can stand firm without crumbling at the sight of obstacles. Just like Zelophehad’s daughters, we will realize God can give us the strength to live as conquerors as we emerge victorious.
In Jesus’ name, courage will never fail us. Amen.
