Numbers 27:3
"Our father died in the wilderness, but he was not among the followers of Korah who gathered together against the LORD. Instead, he died because of his own sin, and he had no sons.
Our father died in the wilderness
This phrase refers to the period of Israel's 40-year journey in the wilderness after their exodus from Egypt. The wilderness journey was a time of testing and judgment for the Israelites, as they wandered due to their disobedience and lack of faith in God's promise to enter the Promised Land (Numbers 14:33-34). The wilderness symbolizes a place of trial and purification, where the older generation of Israelites died because of their unbelief, as seen in Hebrews 3:17-19.

but he was not among the followers of Korah who gathered together against the LORD
This distinguishes the father of Zelophehad's daughters from those who participated in Korah's rebellion. Korah, along with Dathan and Abiram, led a revolt against Moses and Aaron, challenging their leadership and, by extension, God's authority (Numbers 16:1-3). The rebellion resulted in a dramatic judgment where the earth swallowed the rebels (Numbers 16:31-33). This distinction emphasizes that Zelophehad's death was not due to rebellion against God, which is significant in maintaining the integrity of his lineage.

Instead, he died because of his own sin
This acknowledges the personal responsibility for sin, a recurring theme in Scripture. While the specific sin of Zelophehad is not detailed, it reflects the broader reality that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). The acknowledgment of personal sin is crucial in the biblical narrative, as it underscores the need for atonement and redemption, ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

and he had no sons
In the cultural and historical context of ancient Israel, inheritance and family lineage were typically passed through male descendants. The absence of sons in Zelophehad's family presented a legal and social challenge regarding inheritance rights. This situation led to the daughters of Zelophehad appealing to Moses for the right to inherit their father's land, which resulted in a significant legal precedent in Israelite law (Numbers 27:7-11). This case highlights the importance of justice and equity in God's law and foreshadows the inclusive nature of God's kingdom, where all, regardless of gender, are heirs through faith in Christ (Galatians 3:28-29).

Persons / Places / Events
1. Zelophehad
A member of the tribe of Manasseh, who died in the wilderness without leaving any sons. His daughters are advocating for their inheritance rights.

2. Daughters of Zelophehad
Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah, who approached Moses to claim their father's inheritance, as he had no sons.

3. Korah's Rebellion
A significant event where Korah and his followers rebelled against Moses and Aaron, resulting in their destruction as a divine judgment.

4. The Wilderness
The setting where the Israelites wandered for 40 years due to their disobedience, and where Zelophehad died.

5. Moses
The leader of the Israelites, who is approached by the daughters of Zelophehad for a ruling on their inheritance.
Teaching Points
God's Justice and Fairness
The account of Zelophehad's daughters highlights God's concern for justice and fairness, even in societal structures that may seem rigid. It shows that God listens to the cries of those who seek righteousness.

Advocacy and Courage
The daughters' approach to Moses demonstrates the importance of advocacy and courage in seeking justice. Believers are encouraged to stand up for what is right, even when it challenges the status quo.

Inheritance in Christ
Just as the daughters sought their earthly inheritance, believers are reminded of their spiritual inheritance in Christ. This inheritance is secure and available to all who believe, regardless of gender or status.

The Role of Leaders
Moses' willingness to listen and bring the case before God shows the importance of leaders being open to new situations and seeking God's guidance in decision-making.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the account of Zelophehad's daughters challenge the traditional views of inheritance in ancient Israel, and what can we learn from their example about advocating for justice today?

2. In what ways does the resolution of this case reflect God's character and His concern for fairness and justice?

3. How can the courage of Zelophehad's daughters inspire us to address issues of inequality or injustice in our own communities?

4. What parallels can be drawn between the daughters' quest for an inheritance and our spiritual inheritance in Christ?

5. How can leaders today emulate Moses' example in handling complex issues and seeking God's guidance in their decisions?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Genesis 25:5-6
Discusses inheritance practices, showing the importance of passing on property and blessings within a family.

Deuteronomy 21:15-17
Provides laws about inheritance, emphasizing the rights of the firstborn, which highlights the cultural context of inheritance laws.

Joshua 17:3-6
Details the fulfillment of the daughters' request, showing God's provision and justice in granting them an inheritance.

Galatians 3:28
Speaks to the equality of all believers in Christ, which can be seen as a spiritual parallel to the daughters' quest for justice and equality.
The Man Who Died in His Own SinD. Young Numbers 27:3
A Rightful ClaimC. H. Mackintosh.Numbers 27:1-11
The Daughters of ZelophehadJ. Parker, D. D.Numbers 27:1-11
The Disabilities of SexD. Young Numbers 27:1-11
The Request of the Daughters of ZelophehadW. Jones.Numbers 27:1-11
Woman is the Conscience of the WorldR. S. Storrs, D. D.Numbers 27:1-11
Women's Rights -- a ParableSpurgeon, Charles HaddonNumbers 27:1-11
People
Aaron, Eleazar, Hepher, Hoglah, Israelites, Joseph, Joshua, Korah, Machir, Mahlah, Manasseh, Milcah, Moses, Noah, Nun, Tirzah, Zelophehad
Places
Abarim, Jericho, Kadesh-barnea, Meribah, Zin
Topics
Assembled, Band, Banded, Company, Death, Desert, Died, Followers, Gathered, Korah, Korah's, Met, Midst, Overtook, Sin, Sons, Themselves, Waste, Wilderness, Yet
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Numbers 27:1-4

     5043   names, significance

Numbers 27:1-5

     5730   orphans

Numbers 27:1-7

     5707   male and female

Numbers 27:1-11

     5657   birthright
     7266   tribes of Israel

Numbers 27:3-11

     5476   property

Library
The First Blast of the Trumpet
The English Scholar's Library etc. No. 2. The First Blast of the Trumpet &c. 1558. The English Scholar's Library of Old and Modern Works. No. 2. The First Blast of the Trumpet &c. 1558. Edited by EDWARD ARBER, F.S.A., etc., LECTURER IN ENGLISH LITERATURE, ETC., UNIVERSITY COLLEGE, LONDON. SOUTHGATE, LONDON, N. 15 August 1878. No. 2. (All rights reserved.) CONTENTS. Bibliography vii-viii Introduction
John Knox—The First Blast of the Trumpet

Epistle xxviii. To Augustine, Bishop of the Angli .
To Augustine, Bishop of the Angli [136] . Gregory to Augustine, &c. Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men of good will (Luke ii. 14); because a grain of wheat, falling into the earth, has died, that it might not reign in heaven alone; even He by whose death we live, by whose weakness we are made strong, by whose suffering we are rescued from suffering, through whose love we seek in Britain for brethren whom we knew not, by whose gift we find those whom without knowing them we sought.
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great

Paul's Departure and Crown;
OR, AN EXPOSITION UPON 2 TIM. IV. 6-8 ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR How great and glorious is the Christian's ultimate destiny--a kingdom and a crown! Surely it hath not entered into the heart of man to conceive what ear never heard, nor mortal eye ever saw? the mansions of the blest--the realms of glory--'a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.' For whom can so precious an inheritance be intended? How are those treated in this world who are entitled to so glorious, so exalted, so eternal,
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

The Fifth Commandment
Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.' Exod 20: 12. Having done with the first table, I am next to speak of the duties of the second table. The commandments may be likened to Jacob's ladder: the first table respects God, and is the top of the ladder that reaches to heaven; the second respects superiors and inferiors, and is the foot of the ladder that rests on the earth. By the first table, we walk religiously towards God; by
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

Numbers
Like the last part of Exodus, and the whole of Leviticus, the first part of Numbers, i.-x. 28--so called,[1] rather inappropriately, from the census in i., iii., (iv.), xxvi.--is unmistakably priestly in its interests and language. Beginning with a census of the men of war (i.) and the order of the camp (ii.), it devotes specific attention to the Levites, their numbers and duties (iii., iv.). Then follow laws for the exclusion of the unclean, v. 1-4, for determining the manner and amount of restitution
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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