“And they said, The Lord commanded my lord to give the land for an inheritance by lot to the children of Israel: and my lord was commanded by the Lord to give the inheritance of Zelophehad our brother unto his daughters.”
Historical Context:Numbers 36 is part of the concluding chapters of the book of Numbers, which details the division and inheritance of the Promised Land among the twelve tribes of Israel. In this particular chapter, the issue addressed relates to the inheritance rights of Zelophehad’s daughters.
The Inheritance of Zelophehad’s Daughters: The story of Zelophehad’s daughters is found in Numbers 27:1-11. Zelophehad, a member of the tribe of Manasseh, had only daughters and no sons. His daughters brought their case before Moses, Eleazar the priest, the tribal leaders, and the entire congregation of Israel, requesting that they be granted the inheritance of their father since he had no sons. God confirmed their request and instructed Moses to grant them their father’s inheritance.
Preservation of Tribal Inheritance: In Numbers 36:2, the leaders of the tribe of Manasseh approach Moses, highlighting the Lord’s command to distribute the land by lot among the Israelites. They express concern that if Zelophehad’s daughters were to marry men from other tribes, their inherited land would pass on to those tribes, thus altering the tribal boundaries and inheritance structure established by God.
The Resolution: To address the concern, God provides a solution in Numbers 36:6-9. He commands that the daughters of Zelophehad should marry men from their own tribe, ensuring that the inherited land remains within the tribe. This provision becomes a permanent statute for Israel, ensuring the preservation of tribal inheritance.
Lessons from Numbers 36:2:
- Respect for God’s Commands: The leaders of the tribe of Manasseh recognized the importance of following the Lord’s commands regarding the distribution of the land. They acknowledged that Moses had been commanded by God to give Zelophehad’s inheritance to his daughters. It reminds us of the significance of honoring and obeying God’s instructions in our lives.
- Protection of God’s Design: God’s concern for the preservation of tribal inheritance reveals His care for the order and structure He established. He desires that His people respect and maintain His intended design. This principle extends beyond land inheritance and teaches us to appreciate and preserve the boundaries and structures God has set in place for various aspects of life.
- God’s Fairness: The story of Zelophehad’s daughters highlights God’s fairness and impartiality. In a patriarchal society, He granted inheritance rights to daughters in the absence of sons, ensuring justice for them. It demonstrates that God values and upholds the rights of individuals, regardless of gender or societal norms.
Overall, Numbers 36:2 emphasizes the importance of respecting God’s commands, preserving His design, and recognizing His fairness in the distribution of inheritance. It serves as a reminder for us to honor God’s instructions and respect the boundaries He has established in our lives.
