Inequity - Numbers 25-28

 Numbers 27:1-5 (ESV)

The Daughters of Zelophehad

1 Then drew near the daughters of Zelophehad the son of Hepher, son of Gilead, son of Machir, son of Manasseh, from the clans of Manasseh the son of Joseph. The names of his daughters were: Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. 2 And they stood before Moses and before Eleazar the priest and before the chiefs and all the congregation, at the entrance of the tent of meeting, saying, 3 “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. 4 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.”

5 Moses brought their case before the LORD.

The above text follows the re-numbering of the nation of Israel, by tribe, to prepare them for the distribution of each tribes portion once they reach the promise land.  It is obvious in Scripture and in historical studies, the culture in these Biblical times was highly male dominant.   In fact in the mid-east today, in some religious circles, it is still highly male oriented.  Females in those cultures are not treated with respect or given concern for their well being.  They certainly have little privileges.   So, we have to ask about this story in God’s word.  What is this all about?  

This story brings a sticky situation before Moses.  According to verse five, Moses didn’t even know what to do.  He immediately sought wisdom from God.   The daughters of a certain tribeMEN, came to him to say the man had no sons.  All the inheritance was about to be divided up and given to the sons.   No women were given any inheritance (that right there might be a huge issue in today’s western culture).   The daughters thought it right for them to inherit their father’s land, possessions.   Moses ultimate found out from God that their should be a plan.   But, if you read more in this chapter, the solution was that if a man has no sons, his possession can and should go to his remaining daughters.  Moses does not change the previous policy (giving the inheritance to the elder son).   He does not lower the one to accommodate the other.  He simply makes sure that these women in this story and those subsequently who would not have brothers, be able to keep their inheritance. 

God knows these things and gives wisdom of how to handle situations that might come to us in these areas.  Moses’ first step was to seek wisdom from God.  He did not simply accommodate the masses.   He wanted to find the mind of God on these things.   He will solve their situation and make it right for these five daughters.  God always sees inequalities and always addresses them.   Moses was willing to listen and then solve the situation before him.  Always listen and seek to solve the situation before us to bring glory to God.  It was not about what the daughters wanted.  It was about what God wanted.