Before Numbers 27 in the Word of God, if a man dies without having male children, his female children will not be able to inherit his property. I’m not so sure however, whether there had been such a case before then, but in this passage, the five ladies: Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah, daughters of Zelophehad, the son of Hepher, made up their minds to re-write history by not keeping quiet about their predicament.
They were aware that the lands were going to be divided and they knew they would be at a disadvantage if they refuse to speak up at the right time, at the right place and to the right people. So, instead of murmuring underground or looking for people to advocate for them, they decided to take the bull by the horn and be advocates for themselves. They went to Moses and Eleazar the priest and they pleaded their case.
“And they stood before Moses, and before Eleazar the priest, and before the princes and all the congregation, by the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, saying, Our father died in the wilderness, and he was not in the company of them that gathered themselves together against the Lord in the company of Korah; but died in his own sin, and had no sons. Why should the name of our father be done away from among his family, because he hath no son? Give unto us therefore a possession among the brethren of our father.” Numbers 27: 1-4 (KJV).
Moses took their case to God and God acceded to their request. “And the Lord said to Moses, “The daughters of Zelophehad are right. You shall give them possession of an inheritance among their father’s brothers and transfer the inheritance of their father to them. 8 And you shall speak to the people of Israel, saying, ‘If a man dies and has no son, then you shall transfer his inheritance to his daughter. 9 And if he has no daughter, then you shall give his inheritance to his brothers. 10 And if he has no brothers, then you shall give his inheritance to his father’s brothers. 11 And if his father has no brothers, then you shall give his inheritance to the nearest kinsman of his clan, and he shall possess it. And it shall be for the people of Israel a statute and rule, as the Lord commanded Moses.’” Numbers 27:6-11 (ESV).
Imagine what would have happened if the ladies had not taken their destinies in their hands and spoken out, their destinies would have been shortchanged forever and upcoming generations with similar issues would have also lost out.
Lessons
- Be bold to present your case to God or His servants, if you have a case. Don’t keep mute, especially, if you are a woman.
- Don’t murmur or complain underground. Look for the appropriate people to talk to, and make your requests known to them.
- Look for the appropriate time and the appropriate place to present your case, prayerfully.
- Always remember Mathew 7:7 if your courage is failing you. “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. Mathew 7:7 (ESV).
- God may be waiting on you now to hear your voice, why don’t you speak to Him and let Him know your problems. If you ask, you will be given.