Relative-ity...

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 and stood before Moses, Eleazar the priest, the leaders and the whole assembly at the entrance to the tent of meeting and said, "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 sins and left no sons. Why should our father's name disappear from his clan because he had no son? Give us property among our father's relatives." (Numbers 27:1-4)

In Sunday's sermon, Pastor Joy pointed out that Zelophehad was not part of the rebellion initiated by Korah. Zelophehad's daughters made this confession to Moses in the presence of the assembly: Our father sinned. But, he was not among those men who made a group effort to resist the authority and order that God had set into place... he was not a transgressor like Korah.

It was an important testimony for these women to give, because their appeal might have been interpreted as a group effort to resist the established protocol. As our pastor noted, they were asking for something that had never been permitted before. The women gave their rationale for their request: Moses, our father honored the system and order that the LORD had determined; our father was faithful to God and to your leadership; but he had no sons. Please make a way for our father's name to be remembered.

The reference to Korah is significant. Korah, a Levite, along with Reubenites Dathan and Abiram, had amassed a group of 250 well-respected community leaders to oppose Moses and Aaron's leadership. When the judgement of God fell upon Korah, all of Korah's family and property were swallowed up by the earth. There was nothing left of Korah's legacy. (Read Numbers 16 for the entire account of Korah's rebellion.)

The daughters of Zelophehad made their case in hopes of maintaining their family's legacy. They asked God to distinguish their fate from the fate of Korah's family, on the basis of two things:

• The thing within their father's control (his obedience to leadership and his refusal to align himself with Korah); and
• The thing outside of their father's control (the gender of his children).

We serve a God who hears petitions. Let us bring our cases to Him.

God, there are some things that are within our control, and there are some things that are outside of our control. Lord God, please give us Your grace so that the acts we can control will be acts that please You. And, please give us Your grace so that the things outside of our control will also be taken into account by You. Redeem us. Keep us. Teach us. Hear our prayers. We love You and we seek Your aid today.

Appealing.

So Moses brought their case before the LORD. (Numbers 27:5)

In this past Sunday's sermon, Pastor Joy shared with us from Numbers 27:1-11. In the narrative, we find that Zelophehad's daughters appealed to the Israelite leadership in the presence of the whole community. In response to their appeal, Moses made an appeal to God.

As our pastor noted on Sunday, the actions of these women were unprecedented. In the midst of a patriarchal society, the women were bold enough to ask for two things: preservation of their father's name in the clan, and allocation of the land that would have been given to a male in their family. Their ultimate concern was for the legacy of their father to be honored, and that concern overrode the cultural norm of women not being included in property ownership.

Moses, in turn, also engaged in an unusual act. Even though he had already received laws and clear instructions from God about the division of land, Moses took the time to ask God for specific direction concerning the appeal of the five sisters.

We serve a God who allows appeals! The Scriptures have an astounding roster of men and women who have asked, and received, answers to their appeals for God's compassion and intervention. Here are a few examples:

• Cain requested and received a mark so that he would not be killed by another man (Genesis 4:13-15);
• Rahab requested and received a promise of deliverance for herself and her family (Joshua 2:12-14);
• King Hezekiah requested and received an extension of life (Second Kings 20:1-6).

Is there something you are facing that seems inevitable, based on the laws and circumstances that surround you? Appeal to God. He may say yes, or He may say no, but He has blessed us with the ability to ask... and so we ask. Who knows what our Lord might change?

He answered, "While the child was still alive I fasted and wept. I thought, 'Who knows? The LORD may be gracious to me and let the child live.'" (Second Samuel 12:22)

Take A Number!

After the plague the Lord said to Moses and Eleazar son of Aaron, the priest, “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.” So on the plains of Moab by the Jordan across from Jericho, Moses and Eleazar the priest spoke with them and said, “Take a census of the men twenty years old or more, as the Lord commanded Moses.” These were the Israelites who came out of Egypt. (Numbers 26:1-4)

The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children. (Matthew 14:21)

The number of those who ate was four thousand men, besides women and children. (Matthew 15:38)

In yesterday’s sermon, Pastor Joy spoke primarily from Numbers chapter 27. For today, let us consider some background information.

Our pastor shared that the faith-stance of the five daughters of Zelophehad was expressed in a context where women were not even counted as part of the population. From ancient Israel through the time of Christ, women were not included in census reporting. Even the accounts of the feeding of the 5000 and the 4000 show adherence to the age-old protocol: the narratives in Matthew 14 and 15 and John 6 indicate a count of only the men.

In the New Testament narrative, though, we have encouragement: not everyone was counted, but everyone was fed. This is the face and nature of the Christian walk! Our Lord invites all people to come to Him for sustenance.

In his sermon on May 4th Pastor Sam referenced Joel 2 and Acts 2 (“your sons and your daughters shall prophesy”), and God has echoed the theme again through Pastor Joy’s reflections on Numbers 27. Let us take heed. God provides His inheritance to men and women. Will you, by faith, joyfully receive what He has made available for you?

God has taken a head-count… and you are on His roster. Be encouraged.