Today's reading from the Chronological OT/NT Reading Plan is Numbers 26-27, Luke 1:1-20
I am posting today for Tammy as she jumped in for me on Tuesday as my world was off it's axis! Thanks Tammy!
What struck me in today's reading was the story of Zelophehad's daughters in Numbers 27. Their father died without having any sons to leave his property to. His daughters approached Moses, Eleazar, the leaders and the whole assembly to petition that their father's name not be lost from his clan as he was a faithful follower.
A couple of things in particular struck me here:
1. The daughters came together and approached all of these MEN in power to petition a cause that essentially went against regular protocol. My NIV study Bible says in the notes that "Their action in approaching Moses, Eleazar and the leaders of the nation was unprecedented, an act of courage and conviction". What a great testament of women coming together in a controlled, wise way to make a request. I love to imagine these strong, humble women, grieving the loss of their father coming to the Tent of Meeting with the purpose of ensuring their father's name is not forgotten.
2. I love how Moses takes what these women request seriously. He doesn't shush them and send them out of the way and say "That's not the way we do it". He hears them and takes their petition before The Lord.
Numbers 27:5-7
5 So Moses brought their case before the LORD, 6 and the LORD said to him, 7 “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.
3. The law is changed because of their courage! Numbers 27:8-11
8 “Say to the Israelites, ‘If a man dies and leaves no son, give his inheritance to his daughter. 9 If he has no daughter, give his inheritance to his brothers. 10 If he has no brothers, give his inheritance to his father’s brothers. 11 If his father had no brothers, give his inheritance to the nearest relative in his clan, that he may possess it. This is to have the force of law for the Israelites, as the LORD commanded Moses.’”
We've had some ongoing discussions this year about the value of women in Bible time, in God's eyes, in the Old vs New Testament etc. Looking at this story I see a God who is just, a God who wants to hear our requests and a God who delights in fulfilling them when they align with his values - regardless of gender!!! It was this way back in the Old Testament and New Testament AND TODAY! I want to encourage all of us to approach the throne of our God with humility, courage, and conviction, making our requests known to him so he can delight in fulfilling them in our lives.
Happy Sunday to you all!!
Tomorrow's passage: Numbers 28-30, Luke 1:21-38
4 comments:
Hmmm, true. The word does say that we can approach His throne boldly to speak with Him, or something like that. God LOVES us. He delights in us. He doesn't like our sin, but He LOVES us. Thank you for that reminder.
The same things stood out for me, but especially the courage that it must have taken to go to Moses to make the request.
Did anyone else notice that one of the daughters' name was Noah? Interesting.
Pam, I noticed that, too ~ guess our current society isn't the only one turning boys' names into girls' names!
(Funny how it never seems to work the OTHER way though, eh...?)
I love this passage too for the same reason. And this would have been VERY extraordinary in that day and age that's for sure!
(I noticed the Noah name too!)
I also love the mention of the Holy Spirit in the part about God selecting Joshua to succeed Moses. The whole concept of the trinity is so amazing to me.
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