Numbers 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.

The People of Israel Are Counted

1 The people of Israel had left Egypt and were living in the Sinai Desert. Then on the first day of the second month of the second year, when Moses was in the sacred tent the Lord said:

2-3 I want you and Aaron to find out how many people are in each of Israel's clans and families. And make a list of all the men 20 years and older who are able to fight in battle. 4-15 The following twelve family leaders, one from each tribe, will help you:

Elizur son of Shedeur

from Reuben,

Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai

from Simeon,

Nahshon son of Amminadab

from Judah,

Nethanel son of Zuar

from Issachar,

Eliab son of Helon

from Zebulun,

Elishama son of Ammihud

from Ephraim,

Gamaliel son of Pedahzur

from Manasseh,

Abidan son of Gideoni

from Benjamin,

Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai

from Dan,

Pagiel son of Ochran

from Asher,

Eliasaph son of Deuel

from Gad,

and Ahira son of Enan

from Naphtali.

16-17 Moses and Aaron, together with these twelve tribal leaders, 18 called together the people that same day. They were counted according to their clans and families. Then Moses and the others listed the names of the men twenty years and older, 19 just as the Lord had commanded. 20-46 The number of men from each tribe who were at least 20 years old and strong enough to fight in Israel's army was as follows:

46,500 from Reuben,

the oldest son of Jacob,

59,300 from Simeon,45,650 from Gad,74,600 from Judah,54,400 from Issachar,57,400 from Zebulun,40,500 from Ephraim,32,200 from Manasseh,35,400 from Benjamin,62,700 from Dan,41,500 from Asher,53,400 from Naphtali.

The total number of men registered by Moses, Aaron, and the twelve leaders was 603,550.

47 But those from the Levi tribe were not included 48 because the Lord had said to Moses:

49 When you count the Israelites, do not include those from the Levi tribe. 50-51 Instead, give them the job of caring for the sacred tent, its furnishings, and the objects used for worship. They will camp around the tent, and whenever you move, they will take it down, carry it to the new camp, and set it up again. Anyone else who tries to go near it must be put to death.

52 The rest of the Israelites will camp in their own groups and under their own banners. 53 But the Levites will camp around the sacred tent to make sure that no one goes near it and makes me furious with the Israelites.

54 The people of Israel did everything the Lord had commanded.

Mbalo ye bathu ye kutanga

1 Kwakati Yahwe bakalebeleka na Mushe bali mu tjilambanyika tje Sinai bali mu nshasha we bushanganilo, mu zhuba le kutanga le mwedzi we bubili mu gole le bubili shule kwe basinobhuda mu shango ye Egipiti beti, 2 “Balani gubungano le bathu be Iziraela, nge njudzi dzabo nenge misha yabo, mubale nlume mmwe ne mmwe nsha nge nsha. 3 Balume bose be Iziraela bana makole ali makumi mabili kuyenda pezhugwi bakalizana kuyenda ku ngwa, mubabige nge makupo abo iwe na Aroni. 4 Mutole nlume ng'ompela kudwa mu ludzi gumwe ne gumwe kumubhatsha ali nsholo we ng'umba ya katate babe.” 5 Awa ndiwo mazina e balume banowomubhatsha: Kudwa mu ludzi gwa Rubheni, Elizuri nkololo wa Shedeuri, 6 mu ludzi gwa Simiyoni, Shelumieli nkololo wa Zurishadayi 7 mu ludzi gwa Juda, Nashoni nkololo wa Aminadabu, 8 mu ludzi gwa Isakari, Nethanele nkololo wa Zuari, 9 mu ludzi gwa Zebuluni Eliabu nkololo wa Heloni, 10 kudwa mu bakololo ba Josefa ne kudwa mu bakololo ba Ifureimi, Elishama nkololo wa Amihudi ne kudwa mu Manase, Gamaliyele nkololo wa Phedahizu, 11 mu Bhenjamini, Abidani nkololo wa Gideoni, 12 mu Dani, Ahieza nkololo wa Amishadai, 13 mu Asheri, Pagiele nkololo wa Okirani, 14 mu Gadi, Eliyasafu nkololo wa Deuele, 15 mu Nafutali, Ahira nkololo wa Enani. 16 Ibaba ndibo bakashalugwa mu gubungano bali batungamili be njudzi dzabo ne misholo ye ng'umba dze Iziraela.

17 Mushe na Aroni bakatola balume be mazina iyawa akalongolosiwa, 18 ngono bakati mu zhuba le kutanga le mwedzi we bubili bakakubunganya gubungano lose bakazwikwalisa nge misha, nge ng'umba dza botate babo, bakabagwa nge mazina kudwa muna be makole ali makumi mabili kuyenda pezhugwi, mmwe ne mmwe wabo, 19 koga sekwa kadwiwa Mushe ndi Yahwe, ndizo wakakwalisa bathu bali mu tjilambanyika tje Sinai.

20-46 Balume bose bakabe bana makole ali makumi mabili kuyenda pezhugwi, bose bakabe bakalizana kuyenda ku ngwa, bakakwagwa nge mazina abo mmwe ne mmwe nge ludzi gugwe, kutangisa nge ludzi gwa Rubheni nkololo wa Jakubo wola. Mbalo yabo yakabe ili sahwoku:

Ludzi MbaloRubheni 46 500Simiyoni59 300Gadi 45 650Juda 74 600Isakari 54 400Zebuluni 57 400Ifureimi 40 500Manase32 200Bhenjamini 35 400Dani 62 700Asheri 41 500Nafutali 53 400Bose bakabe bali603 550

47 Koga ludzi gwe Balevi gwakabe gusabaligwa mu bali, 48 ngobe Yahwe bakabe badwa Mushe beti, 49 “Usitongo kwalisa ludzi gwe Balevi, kene kuli kubabalilanya mu bathu be Iziraela. 50 Koga ubige Balevi kutjengeta nshasha we butendeki ne zwija zose zwago na zose zwimu guli, basenge bugalo gwe Ndzimu ne zwija zwago, kakale bagutjengete bagale bakagupoteleka. 51 Ha bugalo gwe Ndzimu gufulusiwa, Balevi banowoguliga ngono ha bugalo gwakafanila teyiwa butshwa, Balevi banowoguteya. Ngono ha mmwe upoga angasedzela paguli abulawe. 52 Baiziraela banowobambula mishasha yabo nge makupo abo, mmwe ne mmwe ebe pa nshasha uwe, mmwe ne mmwe nge gupo lile. 53 Koga Balevi banowogala bakapoteleka nshasha we butendeki, kuti gubungano le bathu be Iziraela lisiwigwe nge bushongola gwangu, ngono Balevi banowotjengeta nshasha we butendeki.” 54 Ndizo bathu be Iziraela bakathama kose Yahwe sekwa bakadwa Mushe.