Daily Devotional

You might not remember the daughters of Zelophehad. But we all should. What did they do of note? They stood and appealed for their place before God. They did not stage a “sit in.” Nor arrange a demonstration. There was no contention, and no riot followed.

This was a case of the right of daughters to inherit the land that belonged to their deceased father. But God had already spoken about this to Moses. The law was set. It had to be a man, a son who would inherit.

But they felt that what they were experiencing was not right. They planned together, and then made their appeal, publicly and properly . . . before Moses, before Eleazar the priest, before all the chiefs and before the entire congregation. It took place at the entrance of the tent of meeting.

There, fearlessly, before all God’s appointed leaders and with all the cards seemingly against them, even the Lord Himself, they made their thoughtful and logical request. Not a demand.

“Our father died in the wilderness.
He was not among the company of those who gathered themselves
together against the LORD in the company of Korah,
but died for his own sin. And he had no sons.
Why should the name of our father be taken away
from his clan because he had no son?
Give to us a possession among our father's brothers.”
Numbers 27:3–4, ESV

Then comes the greatly unexpected decision, by the Lord to Moses who sought him: “The daughters of Zelophehad are right.” (verse 7). I think this sent shock waves through Israel! Who are these women, so bold to make such an appeal, such an argument, and have it granted? Then wave number two-- the Lord changed the laws of inheritance, for all cases like theirs, when there was no male heir (verses 8–11). They changed the lives of many, for centuries to come!

There are times the Lord waits for us to stand up and take our kingdom place. Jacob wrestled with the angel, and then said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me. (Genesis 32:26). Then his name was changed to Israel, and he took his place of calling, and made kingdom history!

We all have reasons to discount ourselves. I have many, with more developing all the time. But God had a purpose for me, and I finally stood up and inquired after it. God has a purpose for you, too, holy and ordained by Him. Peter declares that we (all of us) are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God own possession (1 Peter 2:9). For this we must arise and take our place in kingdom history, to “proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

I write this as much more than a women’s rights issue. But on that note, since it is near Mother’s Day, there are many women, from both common and exalted lines, who stood up and took their places, and accomplished the kingdom: Jael (Lynn’s favorite, Judges 4:21), The Queen of Sheba, Esther, Ruth, Deborah, Hannah, Mary who washed Jesus’ feet, Anna in the temple, Rahab the prostitute of Jericho, and many more, like Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah and Tirzah from today’s story.

What is you calling in Christ? Don’t leave earth without it! Without finishing the tasks ordained for you, some spiritual sounding, some seemingly ordinary . . . or even special work with a tent peg and hammer!

Read: Numbers 27:1–11, 1 Peter 2
Sing: Once to Every Man and Nation, James R. Lowell (Thomas J. Williams)

English Standard Version (ESV)
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.