Numbers 36 - GNTD & 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 Inheritance of Married Women

1 The heads of the families in the clan of Gilead, the son of Machir and grandson of Manasseh son of Joseph, went to Moses and the other leaders. 2 They said, “The Lord commanded you to distribute the land to the people of Israel by drawing lots. He also commanded you to give the property of our relative Zelophehad to his daughters. 3 But remember, if they marry men of another tribe, their property will then belong to that tribe, and the total allotted to us will be reduced. 4 In the Year of Restoration, when all property that has been sold is restored to its original owners, the property of Zelophehad's daughters will be permanently added to the tribe into which they marry and will be lost to our tribe.”

Daughters Who Dared: The Women Who Changed Biblical Law

5 So Moses gave the people of Israel the following command from the Lord. He said, “What the tribe of Manasseh says is right, 6 and so the Lord says that the daughters of Zelophehad are free to marry anyone they wish but only within their own tribe. 7 The property of every Israelite will remain attached to his tribe. 8 Every woman who inherits property in an Israelite tribe must marry a man belonging to that tribe. In this way all Israelites will inherit the property of their ancestors, 9 and the property will not pass from one tribe to another. Each tribe will continue to possess its own property.”

10-11 So Mahlah, Tirzah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Noah, the daughters of Zelophehad, did as the Lord had commanded Moses, and they married their cousins. 12 They married within the clans of the tribe of Manasseh son of Joseph, and their property remained in their father's tribe.

13 These are the rules and regulations that the Lord gave the Israelites through Moses in the plains of Moab across the Jordan River from Jericho.

Thaka ye bakololokadzi baku misha

1 Misholo ye misha ye ludzi gwa Giliyadi nkololo wa Makiri, Makiri ali nkololo wa Manase ibo bakabe bali be ludzi gwe zwizekugwana zwa Josefa bakazha kuna Mushe ne batungamili ne hadzasha dze bathu be Iziraela. 2 Bakabadwa bakati, “Yahwe bakadwa tetshi wedu kuti bakobele bathu be Iziraela shango kube thaka ngokandila. Bakati kakale mukobele thaka bakololokadzi be gamu lenyu Zelofehadi. 3 Ngono ha balobogwa mu ludzi gwe Iziraela gupoga, thaka yedu inowobe yatapudzika, inowopaphidzila ludzi igogo shango kube thaka, ngono towobe talashikigwa nge shango hwulu kube thaka yedu. 4 Ngono kowoti nge gole le makumi ali mashanu bathu be Iziraela le bgwilizilo shango lizha, thaka ye bakololokadzi ba Zelofehadi inowolingisana ne ludzi gwabakalobogwako, ngono ludzi gwedu gowobe gwalashikigwa nge thaka yago.”

5 Ipapo Mushe kalaula bathu be Iziraela kuyenda nge dama la Yahwe eti, “Ludzi gwe zwizekugwana gwa Josefa golebesa. 6 Yahwe bakadusa ndaulo ngekwe bakololokadzi ba Zelofehadi kuti, balobogwe nge wabanowobe bada, koga kuli mukati kwe nsha we ludzi gwa tate babo. 7 Thaka ye bathu be Iziraela aitowodwa mu ludzi gwe Iziraela ipiwa ludzi gupoga, ngoti gwe mwana mmwe ne mmwe we Iziraela gwakalingisana nge ludzi gwa tate babe. 8 Nkololokadzi mmwe ne mmwe wakapiwa shango ili thaka idwa mu ludzi gwe Iziraela wakafanila lobogwa ne mmwe we ludzi gwa tate babe. Kuti ndizo mmwe ne mmwe mwana we Iziraela awane shango ye thaka ya tate babe. 9 Akuna shango ye thaka inowodwa mu gumwe ludzi ipiwa gumwe ludzi, ngoti ludzi gumwe ne gumwe gwe bathu be Iziraela gowolingisana nge thaka yago.”

10 Ndizo bakololokadzi ba Zelofehadi bakathama Yahwe sekwa bakadwa Mushe. 11 Ngoti Mahila na Tireza na Hogila na Milikha na Nuwa, bakololokadzi ba Zelofehadi bakalobogwa nge bana ba batateninini babo. 12 Bakalobogwa mu nsha we bakololo ba Manase nkololo wa Josefa. Ngono thaka yabo ikagalila tjose mu ludzi gwe nsha wa tate babo.

13 Eyi ndiyo milayo ne ndaulo dzakapiwa bathu be Iziraela, Yahwe pa belebeleka na Mushe mu lubala gwe Moabu seli kwe gwizi gwe Jorodani kulingisana ne Jerikho.