“Our father died in the wilderness, yet he was not among the group of those who gathered together against the Lord, in the group of Korah; but he died in his own sin, and he had no sons. Why should the name of our father be withdrawn from among his family simply because he had no son? Give us property among our father’s brothers.” – Numbers 27:3-4
Biblical law legislates that a man’s property is to be inherited by his sons, and daughters would be provided for by their brothers until marriage. But what does an unwed woman do when her father dies and he has no sons through whom to pass on his inheritance? This was the question the daughters of Zelophehad presented to Moses when their father died, and since he had no sons, there was no inheritance to pass on to his daughters.
Five vulnerable women approached the entire community, in public, and challenged the law! But they did not just challenge the law, or complain about the law, or even demand that the law be changed. They did not act in a hierarchical manner. Rather, they presented their case in a non-threatening way, saying: “Let not our father’s name be lost”. Their concern was not about their women’s rights, but to maintain their father’s legacy.
Moses took the issue before the Lord who responded unequivocally in support of the sisters’ demand. Not only would they inherit the land, but their case would become precedent for other families in which there were no sons. A new and permanent law was written.
It took “holy boldness” for women to approach the leaders of Israel. They risked much. It will take the same from us as we confront issues facing society today. We, like the daughters in our text, have the ability to know what is right, and speak out against what is wrong. We have the opportunity to exercise our influence for the greater good of humanity. When we truly come to understand our own capacity and responsibility to change the world, to shape history, and make this world the kind of place we wish to leave to our own children, we pay tribute to those women, such as these, who went against impossible odds to make a difference. Which begs to ask:
~ How are you preserving your family legacy?
~ How are you exercising your Christian influence for the greater good of society?
~ Do people know what you stand for?
~ Are you speaking biblical truth – in love?
Today, the world needs more women like the daughters of Zelophehad, just as it needs more men like David’s “mighty men”.
May it be so Lord. May it be so.
~ JCM
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