“Say to the Israelites, ‘If a man dies and leaves no son, turn his inheritance over to his daughter.’” Numbers 27:8 (Chapters 25-30)
A generation has come and gone. Of the thousands of original men and women who left Egypt’s bondage, only two will enter into the land of Canaan. In the forty years of travel there were two censuses, giving this book its name, Numbers. It’s time to claim the inheritance and settle down, but the land must be fairly shared, and so, there is a counting of each member of tribe and clan.
Israel’s law said land must pass from father to eldest son. This was a protection of the tribe, but Zelophehad had only daughters and he was dead. In the surrounding Eastern countries, women were not allowed to inherit, but our God made a concession. In Israel, women could inherit but must marry within their tribe.
Over and over again, God’s care for human dignity is what sets His law apart. It is not His order to harm, but to protect and provide. How much more should we share these attitudes among each other.
You Are Loved,
Gretchen