Mbalo 27 - KBTP & CEVUS06

‘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.

Bakololokadzi ba Zelofehadi

1 Ipapo kukazha bakololokadzi ba Zelofehadi nkololo wa Heferi, Heferi ali nkololo wa Giliyadi, Giliyadi ali nkololo wa Makiri, Makiri ali nkololo wa Manase, Manase ali bhalule le ludzi gwe Bamanase iye ali nkololo wa Josefa. Mazina e bakololokadzi babe akabe ali bo Mahila na Nuwa na Hogila na Milikha na Tireza, 2 bakama mbeli kwa Mushe na Eleazari we mpirisiti na mbeli kwe batungamili bose be gubungano pa nkoba we nshasha we bushanganilo beti, 3 “Tate bedu bakafila mu tjilambanyika, bakafa basina nkololo, bakabe basi mmwe we goko la Kora lakapandukila Yahwe, koga bakabulawa nge tjibi tjabo. 4 Apa zina la tate bedu lingafilani mu ludzi gwa kanyi kwabo kene, ngobe bakabe basina nkololo? Mutipebo thaka mu bana ba tate bedu.”

Daughters Who Dared: The Women Who Changed Biblical Law

5 Mushe kayisa tjililo tjabo mbeli kwa Yahwe. 6 Ngono Yahwe bakadwa Mushe bakati, 7 “Bakololokadzi ba Zelofehadi banolebesa. Ubape tjabakafanila wana tje thaka mu makamu atate babo. Uthame kuti thaka ya tate babo ibalingisane. 8 Ubudze bathu be Iziraela kuti, ‘Ha nlume afa asina nkololo, nkololokadzi uwe wakafanila tola lukata gwa tate babe. 9 Ha asina nkololokadzi, thaka iye ipiwe bakulu kene banung'una babe be tjilume, 10 abasipo thaka iye ipiwe bobatatenkulu kene bobatatenini babe, 11 bobatatenini kene bobatatenkulu babe abasipo thaka iye ipiwe gamu lipejo. Ngono kowobe nlayo ne ndaulo mu Iziraela Yahwe sekwa bakadwa Mushe.’ ”

Joshuwa unoshalugwa kutola mamo a Mushe

(Matama 31:1-8)

12 Yahwe bakadwa Mushe bakati, “Tathila pezhugwi kwe Dombo le Abarimu, ngono ubone shango yandinopa bathu be Iziraela. 13 Ngono unoti usinokuibona unowofa, se nkulu uwo Aroni akabatobela, 14 ngobe mose amuzolondolodza nlayo wangu mu tjilambanyika tje Zini. Amuzolakidza gubungano kuyengemala kwe zina langu muli pa vula mbeli kwabo.” (Meriba nsenya uku Kadeshi mu tjilambanyika tje Zini.)

15 Mushe kadwa Yahwe kati, 16 “Dzene Yahwe, Ndzimu unopa bathu bose meya ye butjilo bangashalula nlume ungatungamila gubungano ileli, 17 mukubhuda kwalo ne mukungina kwalo, kuti gubungano la Yahwe lisitongoshaya ntungamili se pkhwizi dzisina nlisi.”

18 Ngono Yahwe bakadwa Mushe bakati, “Tola Joshuwa nkololo wa Nuni, nlume una meya untembezelele nge kumbiga maboko. 19 Ummise mbeli kwa Eleazari we mpirisiti na mbeli kwe gubungano lose, ube uzibisa gubungano kuti ndiye unotola mukuli. 20 Umpe simba lawakabe ushinga nalo, kuti gubungano lose le bathu be Iziraela linhwilile. 21 Unowoma mbeli kwe mpirisiti Eleazari, unowombhuzwila tjaangathama mbeli kwa Yahwe nge Urimu . Nge ndaulo iye, Joshuwa ne gubungano lose le Iziraela banowobhuda bakayenda kakale ne ndaulo iyezwe banowoshanduka.” 22 Ngono Mushe kathama sekwa apiwa ndaulo ndi Yahwe. Katola Joshuwa kammisa mbeli kwa Eleazari mpirisiti ne gubungano lose. 23 Kantembezelela nge kumbiga maboko, ebe ethama Joshuwa n'gali thaka uwe ebe enlaya sekwa apiwa ndaulo ndi Yahwe.

The Daughters of Zelophehad Are Given Land

1 Zelophehad was from the Manasseh tribe, and he had five daughters, whose names were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah.

2 One day his daughters went to the sacred tent, where they met with Moses, Eleazar, and some other leaders of Israel, as well as a large crowd of Israelites. The young women said:

3 You know that our father died in the desert. But it was for something he did wrong, not for joining with Korah in rebelling against the Lord.

Our father left no sons 4 to carry on his family name. But why should his name die out for that reason? Give us some land like the rest of his relatives in our clan, so our father's name can live on.

5 Moses asked the Lord what should be done, 6 and the Lord answered:

7 Zelophehad's daughters are right. They should each be given part of the land their father would have received.

8 Tell the Israelites that when a man dies without a son, his daughter will inherit his land. 9 If he has no daughter, his brothers will inherit the land. 10 But if he has no brothers, his father's brothers will inherit the land. 11 And if his father has no brothers, the land must be given to his nearest relative in the clan. This is my law, and the Israelites must obey it.

Joshua Is Appointed Israel's Leader

(Deuteronomy 31.1-8)

12 The Lord said to Moses, “One day you will go up into the Abarim Mountains, and from there you will see the land I am giving the Israelites. 13 After you have seen it, you will die, just like your brother Aaron, 14 because both of you disobeyed me at Meribah near the town of Kadesh in the Zin Desert. When the Israelites insulted me there, you didn't believe in my holy power.”

15 Moses replied, 16 “You are the Lord God, and you know what is in everyone's heart. So I ask you to appoint a leader for Israel. 17 Your people need someone to lead them into battle, or else they will be like sheep wandering around without a shepherd.”

18 The Lord answered, “Joshua son of Nun can do the job. Place your hands on him to show that he is the one to take your place. 19 Then go with him and tell him to stand in front of Eleazar the priest and the Israelites. Appoint Joshua as their new leader 20 and tell them they must now obey him, just as they obey you. 21 But Joshua must depend on Eleazar to find out from me what I want him to do as he leads Israel into battle.”

22 Moses followed the Lord's instructions and took Joshua to Eleazar and the people, 23 then he placed his hands on Joshua and appointed him Israel's leader.