Mbalo 36 - 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.

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.”

Daughters Who Dared: The Women Who Changed Biblical Law

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.

The Laws about Married Women and Land

1 One day the family leaders from the Gilead clan of the Manasseh tribe went to Moses and the other family leaders of Israel 2 and said, “Sir, the Lord has said that he will show what land each tribe will receive as their own. And the Lord has commanded you to give the daughters of our relative Zelophehad the land that he would have received. 3 But if they marry men from other tribes of Israel, the land they receive will become part of that tribe's inheritance and will no longer belong to us. 4 Even when land is returned to its original owner in the Year of Celebration, we will not get back Zelophehad's land—it will belong to the tribe into which his daughters married.”

5 So Moses told the people that the Lord had said:

These men from the Manasseh tribe are right. 6 I will allow Zelophehad's daughters to marry anyone, as long as those men belong to one of the clans of the Manasseh tribe.

7 Tribal land must not be given to another tribe—it will remain the property of the tribe that received it. 8-9 In the future, any daughter who inherits land must marry someone from her own tribe. Israel's tribal land is never to be passed from one tribe to another.

10-11 Mahlah, Tirzah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Noah the daughters of Zelophehad obeyed the Lord and married their uncles' sons 12 and remained part of the Manasseh tribe. So their land stayed in their father's clan.

13 These are the laws that the Lord gave to Moses and the Israelites while they were camped in the lowlands of Moab across the Jordan River from Jericho.