Mbalo 3 - KBTP & GNTD

‘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.

Bakololo ba Aroni

1 Edzi ithawu ngekwe nsha wa Aroni na Mushe mu zhuba Yahwe labakalebeleka na Mushe pezhugwi kwe Dombo le Sinai. 2 Aroni wakabe ana bakololo bali banna: Mbano ali Nadabu, etobegwa ndi Abihu, Abihu etobegwa ndi Eleazari, Eleazari etobegwa ndi Ithamari. 3 Bakazhodziwa bebigigwa nshingo we bupirisiti. 4 Koga Nadabu na Abihu bakafila mbeli kwa Yahwe pabakayisa moto wakatemapala mbeli kwa Yahwe mu tjilambanyika tje Sinai, befa basina bana. Ndizo Eleazari na Ithamari bakashinga bali bapirisiti butjilo gose gwa Aroni tate babo.

Balevi banobigigwa kushingila bapirisiti

5 Yahwe bakadwa Mushe bakati, 6 “Sedzedza ludzi gwa Levi mbeli kwe mpirisiti Aroni kuti babe babhatshi babe. 7 Bakafanila kuti babhatshe Aroni kose ne gubungano lose mu mishingo ye nshasha we bushanganilo abe shinga mu bugalo gwe Ndzimu. 8 Batjengete zwija zose zwe nshasha we bushanganilo, kakale bebhatsha bathu be Iziraela kushinga mu bugalo gwe Ndzimu. 9 Upe Aroni ne bakololo babe Balevi, wakabapiwa nge buzhalo, be shalugwa mu bathu be Iziraela. 10 Unowobiga Aroni ne bakololo babe kushinga bali bapirisiti, koga ha kuna mmwe upoga ungagwisa kukuthama abulawe.” 11 Yahwe bakadwa Mushe bakati, 12 “Bona, ndazwitolegwa Balevi mu bathu be Iziraela kube bangu mu bumo gwe mbano imwe ne imwe inozwagwa mu bathu be Iziraela. Balevi banowobe bangu, 13 ngobe mbano dzose nde dzangu, ngoti mu zhuba landakabulaya mbano dzose dze Baegipiti, ndaka zwishaluligwa mbano dzose mu Iziraela, mbano ye nthu kene ye ithuwo, dzowobe dzangu, ndimi Yahwe.” 14 Yahwe bakadwa Mushe kakale bali mu tjilambanyika tje Sinai bakati, 15 “Bala Balevi nge ng'umba dza botate babo nenge misha yabo, ubale kudwa mu nlume mmwe ne mmwe ana mwedzi ng'ompela akazwagwa kuyenda pezhugwi.” 16 Ndizo Mushe kababala kuyendidzana ne dama la Yahwe sekwa bandwa. 17 Awa ndiwo mazina e bakololo ba Levi: Geshoni na Kohati na Merari. 18 Awa mazina e bakololo ba Geshoni nge misha yabo: Libeni na Shimeyi 19 Bakololo ba Kohati nge misha yabo ndi Amuramu na Izha na Heburoni na Uziele. 20 Bakololo ba Merari nge misha yabo ndi Mahili na Mushi. Eyi ndiyo misha ye Balevi nge ng'umba dza botate babo.

21 Bakololo ba Geshoni nge misha yabo ndi Libini na Shimeyi. Eyi ndiyo misha ye Bageshoni nge ng'umba dza botate babo. 22 Bakabagwa kudwa mu bana betjilume bana mwedzi ng'ompela bakazwagwa kuyenda pezhugwi bakabe zwiwulu zwili kutendeka zwina mazana ali mashanu (7 500). 23 Be misha ye Bageshoni bakabe bakafanila baka mishasha ku bhezuba shule kwe bugalo gwe Ndzimu, 24 na Eliyasafu nkololo wa Laeli ali nsholo we ludzi gwe Bageshoni. 25 Bageshoni bakabe bakalingisana ngotjengeta bugalo gwe Ndzimu ne mukati kwago ne tjinogufukidza ne tjisitilo tji pa nkoba we nshasha we bushanganilo 26 ne zwisitilo zwakatendenyedza bugalo gwe Ndzimu ne tjibeso tjinopisigwa zwibhayilo ne tjisitilo tje nkoba we nsha wakatendenyedza nshasha we bushanganilo ne misungo yawo, nshingo wose wakalingisana ngoshingwa ipapo.

27 Ng'umba ya Kohati yakabe ili ye nsha we Baamuramu ne nsha we Baizhari ne nsha we Baheburoni ne nsha we Bauzieli, misha iyeyi ndiyo ye Bakohati. 28 Balume bose bakabagwa kudwa muna una mwedzi ng'ompela akazwagwa kuyenda pezhugwi, bakabe bali zwiwulu zwili zhanakadzi ne mazana ali tathatu (8 600), betjengeta mishingo ye bugalo gwakayengemala. 29 Misha ye bakololo ba Kohati yakabe yakafanila gala ku burwa gwe bugalo gwe Ndzimu, 30 bana Elizafani nkololo wa Uziele ali ntungamili we ng'umba dza botate be misha ye Bakohati. 31 Nshingo wabo wakabe uli kutjengeta Bhokisi le Tjidumano tje Ndzimu ne tafuli ne tjigadziko tje mavone ne zwibeso ne zwija zwe bugalo gwakayengemala gunoshingisiwa nge bapirisiti ne tjisitilo, nshingo wose wakalingisana ngoshingwa ipapo.

32 Eleazari nkololo wa Aroni mpirisiti, wakabe ali ntungamili we batungamili be Balevi, kakale akalingilila banoshinga mu bugalo gwakayengemala. 33 Bakololo ba Merari yakabe ili Maheli na Mushi. Eyi ndiyo misha ye Bamerari nge ng'umba dza botate babo. 34 Balume bose bakabagwa kudwa muna ana mwedzi ng'ompela akazwagwa kuyenda pezhugwi bakabe zwiwulu zwili tathatu ne mazana ali mabili (6 200). 35 Ntungamili we ng'umba ya botate be misha ya Merari wakabe ali Zuriele nkololo wa Abihaile, bakabe bakafanila gala ku bunandzwa gwe bugalo gwe Ndzimu. 36 Bakololo ba Merari bakabigwa kutjengeta makwasayili e bugalo gwe Ndzimu ne makoko ne phanda ne misemo ne zwithu zwazo zose ne nshingo wose wakalingisana ne zwithu izwezwi, 37 nenge phanda dzakapoteleka nsha ne misemo yadzo ne mbambo ne misungo yawo.

38 Mushe na Aroni ne bakololo babe bakabe bakafanila gala mbeli kwe bugalo gwe Ndzimu ku bhezhuba, mbeli kwe nshasha we bushanganilo, bakalingisana ne kunobhuda zhuba, bakalingisana ngoshinga mishingo ye bugalo gwakayengemala ne tjimwe ne tjimwe tjakafanila yitigwa bathu be Iziraela, koga kwakabe kuti ntaya esedzela ebulawa. 39 Balevi bose be tjilume kudwa mu mwana we mwedzi azwagwa kuyenda pezhugwi bakabagwa ndi Mushe na Aroni nge misha yabo nge ndaulo ya Yahwe, bakabe bali zwiwulu zwili makumi mabili ana mabili (22 000).

Balevi banotola bumo gwe bakololo be mbano

40 Yahwe bakadwa Mushe bakati, “Bala bana bose be bathu be Iziraela be mbano be tjilume, kutangisa ne una mwedzi akazwagwa kuyenda pezhugwi, ubabale nge mazina. 41 Ngono unditolele Balevi, mu bumo gwe mbano dzose dze bathu be Iziraela, ne bana be kutanga be zwithuwo zwe Balevi mu bumo gwe bana be kutanga be zwithuwo zwe bathu be Iziraela, ndimi Yahwe.” 42 Ndizo Mushe kabala mbano dzose dze bathu be Iziraela sekwa akadwiwa ndi Yahwe. 43 Ngono be tjilume bose be mbano bakabagwa nge mazina, kudwa muna una mwedzi ng'ompela kuyenda pezhugwi, bakabe bali zwiwulu zwili makumi mabili ana bubili ne mazana ali mabili ana makumi ali kutendeka ana butatu (22 273).

44 Yahwe bakadwa Mushe bakati, 45 “Tjitola Balevi mu bumo gwe mbano dzose dze bathu be Iziraela ne zwithuwo zwe Balevi mu bumo gwabo, ngono Balevi banowobe bangu, ndimi Yahwe. 46 Se bana be tjilume be mbano be bathu be Iziraela bekulila be Balevi nge bali mazana mabili ana makumi ali kutendeka ne butatu, (273) bakafanila dzutunula mbalo ipezhugwi kwe mbalo ye Balevi. 47 Ng'ompela unlipile nge maloso e siliva ali mashanu, kuyendidzana nge shekele dze bugalo gwakayengemala, shekele kuli gira dzili makumi mabili (20), 48 mari akadzutunula be mbalo yakapinda uape Aroni ne bakololo babe.” 49 Mushe katola mari ye kudzutunugwa muna ibaba bakabe bepinda nge mbalo yakadzutunugwa nge Balevi 50 Wakatola maloso e shekele dzili tjiwulu tjing'ompela tjina mazana matatu ana makumi ali tathatu ana mashanu (1 365) kuyendizana ne shekele dze bugalo gwakayengemala mu mbano dze bathu be Iziraela. 51 Mari e kudzutunugwa Mushe kaapa Aroni ne bakololo babe kuyendidzana ne dama la Yahwe sekwa Yahwe bakabe bandwa.

Aaron's Sons

1 This is the family of Aaron and Moses at the time the Lord spoke to Moses on Mount Sinai. 2 Aaron had four sons: Nadab, the oldest, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. 3 They were anointed and ordained as priests, 4 but Nadab and Abihu were killed when they offered unholy fire to the Lord in the Sinai Desert. They had no children, so Eleazar and Ithamar served as priests during Aaron's lifetime.

The Levites Are Appointed to Serve the Priests

5 The Lord said to Moses, 6 “Bring forward the tribe of Levi and appoint them as servants of Aaron the priest. 7 They shall do the work required for the Tent of my presence and perform duties for the priests and for the whole community. 8 They shall take charge of all the equipment of the Tent and perform the duties for the rest of the Israelites. 9 The only responsibility the Levites have is to serve Aaron and his sons. 10 You shall appoint Aaron and his sons to carry out the duties of the priesthood; anyone else who tries to do so shall be put to death.”

11 The Lord said to Moses, 12-13 “The Levites are now to be mine. When I killed all the first-born of the Egyptians, I consecrated as my own the oldest son of each Israelite family and the first-born of every animal. Now, instead of having the first-born sons of Israel as my own, I have the Levites; they will belong to me. I am the Lord.”

The Census of the Levites

14 In the Sinai Desert the Lord commanded Moses 15 to register the Levites by clans and families, enrolling every male a month old or older, 16 and Moses did so. 17-20 Levi had three sons: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari, who were the ancestors of the clans that bear their names. Gershon had two sons: Libni and Shimei; Kohath had four sons: Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel; and Merari had two sons: Mahli and Mushi. They were the ancestors of the families that bear their names.

21 The clan of Gershon was composed of the families of Libni and Shimei. 22 The total number of males one month old or older that were enrolled was 7,500. 23 This clan was to camp on the west behind the Tent, 24 with Eliasaph son of Lael as chief of the clan. 25 They were responsible for the Tent, its inner cover, its outer cover, the curtain for the entrance, 26 the curtains for the court which is around the Tent and the altar, and the curtain for the entrance of the court. They were responsible for all the service connected with these items.

27 The clan of Kohath was composed of the families of Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel. 28 The total number of males one month old or older that were enrolled was 8,600. 29 This clan was to camp on the south side of the Tent, 30 with Elizaphan son of Uzziel as chief of the clan. 31 They were responsible for the Covenant Box, the table, the lampstand, the altars, the utensils the priests use in the Holy Place, and the curtain at the entrance to the Most Holy Place. They were responsible for all the service connected with these items.

32 The chief of the Levites was Eleazar son of Aaron the priest. He was in charge of those who carried out the duties in the Holy Place.

33 The clan of Merari was composed of the families of Mahli and Mushi. 34 The total number of males one month old or older that were enrolled was 6,200. 35 This clan was to camp on the north side of the Tent, with Zuriel son of Abihail as chief of the clan. 36 They were assigned responsibility for the frames for the Tent, its bars, posts, bases, and all its fittings. They were responsible for all the service connected with these items. 37 They were also responsible for the posts, bases, pegs, and ropes for the outer court.

38 Moses and Aaron and his sons were to camp in front of the Tent on the east. They were responsible for carrying out the services performed in the Holy Place for the people of Israel. Anyone else who tried to do so was to be put to death. 39 The total number of all the Levite males one month old or older that Moses enrolled by clans at the command of the Lord, was 22,000.

The Levites Take the Place of the First-Born Sons

40-41 The Lord said to Moses, “All of Israel's first-born sons belong to me. So register by name every first-born male Israelite, one month old or older. But in place of them I claim all the Levites as mine! I am the Lord! I also claim the livestock of the Levites in place of all the first-born of the livestock.” 42 Moses obeyed, and registered all the first-born males 43 one month old or older; the total was 22,273.

44 The Lord said to Moses, 45 “Now dedicate the Levites as mine in place of all the first-born Israelite sons, and dedicate the livestock of the Levites in place of the first-born of the Israelites' livestock. 46 Since the first-born Israelite sons outnumber the Levites by 273, you must buy back the extra sons. 47 For each one pay five pieces of silver, according to the official standard, 48 and give this money to Aaron and his sons.” 49 Moses obeyed and took 50 the 1,365 pieces of silver 51 and gave them to Aaron and his sons.