Galatians 1 - CEVUS06 & KBTP

‘Our father died in the wilderness... Why should our father’s name disappear from his clan because he had no son Give us property among our father’s relatives.’”-8

As we celebrate Women’s Month, we honor the courage, faith, and resilience of women who shaped biblical history. Among these remarkable figures are Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milkah, and Tirzah, the daughters of Zelophehad. Their boldness in claiming their inheritance set a precedent for justice and equality, proving that God values the voices of women.

A Bold Stand for Justice

During the Israelites’ journey to the Promised Land, inheritance was typically passed from father to son. However, Zelophehad had no sons—only daughters. These five women refused to be left without a heritage and took their case to Moses and the leaders.

“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… Why should our father’s name disappear from his clan because he had no son? Give us property among our father’s relatives.’” (Numbers 27:2-4, NIV)

These sisters stepped into a space where women traditionally had no say. Their courage teaches us that when something isn’t right, we shouldn’t be afraid to challenge the status quo.

God’s Approval of Women’s Voices

Moses took their case before God, and God Himself affirmed their request, showing that He values justice and fairness for all.

“So the Lord said to him, ‘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.’”(Numbers 27:6-7, NIV)

God listens when we speak up for what is right. He values justice and is not bound by human traditions that limit women’s roles.

Faith That Changed the Law

Because of these women’s faith and persistence, a new law was established, ensuring that if a man died without a son, his daughters could inherit his land.

“This is what the Lord commands for Zelophehad’s daughters: You must give them property as an inheritance… Say to the Israelites, ‘If a man dies and leaves no son, give his inheritance to his daughter.’”(Numbers 27:8, NIV)

Faith isn’t just about believing; it’s about taking action and trusting God to bring justice. Their courage led to a lasting legal shift, proving that faith and action bring transformation.

A Legacy of Strength and Determination

Even after the law was established, these women continued to follow God’s direction, ensuring that their inheritance remained within their tribe, as per God’s command.

“No inheritance in Israel is to pass from one tribe to another, for every Israelite shall keep the tribal inheritance of their ancestors.” (Numbers 36:7, NIV)

Women are not just bystanders in history, we are active participants in God’s plans. When God opens a door, we must walk through it with confidence.

Women Have a Right to Be Heard

The courage of Zelophehad’s daughters echoes the promise that God is a defender of those who seek justice. Their voices mattered, and their plea changed an entire legal system.

“Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed.” (Psalm 82:3, NIV)

Advocating for justice is not just a worldly pursuit, it is a godly mission. When we stand for what is right, we align ourselves with God’s heart.

Courage Breaks Barriers

These five sisters refused to accept limitations. They believed in a God who grants justice and stepped forward, even when society didn’t favor them.

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9, NIV)

Boldness in faith leads to breakthrough. When we trust in God and take courageous steps, He goes before us and makes a way.

Women Are a Vital Part of God’s Plan

Their story proves that women have a place in God’s grand design. From the beginning, He intended for both men and women to carry out His will.

“There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28, NIV)

Women are equally called to fulfill God’s purposes. The daughters of Zelophehad remind us that in Christ, we all have a divine inheritance.

A Celebration of Women’s Strength

As we celebrate Women’s Month, let us be inspired by Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milkah, and Tirzah, women who dared to believe in justice and changed history. Like them, we can stand boldly, speak up for what is right, and trust God to make a way.

“God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day.” (Psalm 46:5, NIV)

May their story remind us that women are not just part of history, they shape it. Let us rise with courage, faith, and determination, knowing that God values our voices and honors our faith.

1-2 From the apostle Paul and from all the Lord's followers with me.

I was chosen to be an apostle by Jesus Christ and by God the Father, who raised him from death. No mere human chose or appointed me to this work.

To the churches in Galatia:

3 I pray that God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ will be kind to you and will bless you with peace! 4 Christ obeyed God our Father and gave himself as a sacrifice for our sins to rescue us from this evil world. 5 God will be given glory forever and ever. Amen.

The Only True Message

6 I am shocked that you have so quickly turned from God, who chose you with his gift of undeserved grace. You have believed another message, 7 when there is really only one true message. But some people are causing you trouble and want to make you turn away from the good news about Christ. 8 I pray that God will punish anyone who preaches anything different from our message to you! It doesn't matter if that person is one of us or an angel from heaven. 9 I have said it before, and I will say it again. I hope God will punish anyone who preaches anything different from what you have already believed.

10 I am not trying to please people. I want to please God. Do you think I am trying to please people? If I were doing that, I would not be a servant of Christ.

How Paul Became an Apostle

11 My friends, I want you to know that no one made up the message I preach. 12 It wasn't given or taught to me by some mere human. My message came directly from Jesus Christ when he appeared to me.

13 You know how I used to live as a Jew. I was cruel to God's church and even tried to destroy it. 14 I was a much better Jew than anyone else my own age, and I obeyed every law our ancestors had given us. 15 But even before I was born, God had chosen me by his gift of undeserved grace and had decided 16 to show me his Son, so I would announce his message to the Gentiles. I didn't talk this over with anyone. 17 I didn't say a word, not even to the men in Jerusalem who were apostles before I was. Instead, I went at once to Arabia, and afterwards I returned to Damascus.

18 Three years later I went to visit Peter in Jerusalem and stayed with him for 15 days. 19 The only other apostle I saw was James, the Lord's brother. 20 And in the presence of God I swear I am telling the truth.

21 Later, I went to the regions of Syria and Cilicia. 22 But no one who belonged to Christ's churches in Judea had ever seen me in person. 23 They had only heard that the one who had been cruel to them was now preaching the message that he had once tried to destroy. 24 And because of me, they praised God.

1 Ndimi Paulo, ntumwa wa Jesu, imi ndisakadang'wa ne nthu kube ntumwa, koga ndakadang'wa ndi Jesu Kirisiti ne Ndzimu Tate, ibo bakammusa mu bafi, ne 2 zwikamu zose zwingeno todumilisa makubungano e Galatiya titi;

3 Ngoni ne kunyalala kunodwa ku Ndzimu Tate na She Jesu Kirisiti ngakube namwi.

4 Kirisiti iye wakazwipa kube tjibhayilo tje matjinyo edu, kutisunungula mu bubi gwe misi ino, kuli kuda kwe Ndzimu Tate bedu. 5 Ngabakudziwe nge kusingapele kose. Ngakujalo.

Ndebo mbuya ing'ompela

6 Ndotjenamisiwa nge kuti, tjinyolotjo motjisiya iye wakamudana nge ngoni dza Kirisiti, mutobela ndebo mbuya ipoga, 7 kusingadwe kuti kuna imwe ndebo mbuya, koga kuna bamwe banomudziyidza, beshaka kuleyanya ndebo mbuya ya Kirisiti. 8 Kene kuli iswi, kene ntumwa we kudzimu ha angamusumikilila imwe ndebo mbuya ipoga, kusi iyeyi yatakamusumikilila, ngaabe ne bhiso. 9 Sekwa takaleba kutanga, nditjaleba kakale nditi, ha kuli kuti kuna mmwe unomusumikilila ndebo mbuya ipoga inoleyana ne yamakaamutjila, ngaabe ne bhiso.

10 Apa ndoshaka kudiwa nge bathu kene nge Ndzimu? Kene ndogwisa kushathisa bathu? Ha ndabe nditjashathisa bathu, ndobe ndisi nlanda wa Kirisiti.

Paulo sekwa akabe ntumwa

11 Ndoshaka kuti muzibe etji zwikamu, kuti ndebo mbuya yandakasumikila ate ili ndebo mbuya yakazwithamigwa koga nge bathu. 12 Andizo i amutjila idwa mu nthu, kakale akuna wakandidiya iyo, koga ndaka i amutjila ili zumbunulo inodwa kuna Jesu Kirisiti.

13 Ngobe makahwa sekwa ndakabe nditjila mu tjilenje tje Bajuta, sekwa ndakadziyidza kwazo gubungano le Ndzimu ndishaka kulikolomola, 14 ndakabe ndakasima mu tjilenje tje Bajuta kupinda thaka dzangu mu bathu ba kanyi kwangu, ndakalonga meya nge buzhalo mu zwilenje zwa bobatategulu.

15 Koga Ndzimu iwo wakandishalula ndisathu azwagwa, ukandidana nge ngoni dzawo, 16 wakashathila kundizumbunulila Nkololo wawo, kuti ndisumikile nge kukwe kuna Bezwitjaba. Akuna nthu wandakakumbuludzana naye, 17 kakale andizotongoyenda ku Jerusalema, kuna ibabo bakashagwa bali batumwa ba Jesu kunditangila, koga ndakayenda tjinyolotjo ku Arabhiya, adwa abgwilila ku Damasiko. 18 Ngono kwakati shule kwe makole matatu ayenda ku Jerusalema kunokumba Pita. Ndakagala naye mazhuba ali gumi lina mashanu. 19 Akuna mmwe ntumwa wandakabona kakale kuzhe kwa Jakubo, nnung'una wa She.

20 Tjandinokwala malebeswa mbeli kwe Ndzimu. Anditonyepa!

21 Shule kwa ipapo ndakayenda ku mituthu ye Siriya ne Silisiya. 22 Be makubungano a Kirisiti mu Judiya bakabe basathu bakandibona. 23 Bakabe behwa kulebgwa koga kuyi: “Nlume wakatongobe etidziyidza, ngwenu unosumikila bugalimoyo gwaakatongo gwisa kukolomodza!” 24 Ndizo bakakudza Ndzimu nge kwangu.