27:1 Of the tribe of Manasseh (one of Joseph's sons), this group of daughters' father passes away. The daughters' names are: Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. The mention of Joseph's name is a reminder of the journey the children of Israel (through their ancestors) and we, have been through (following their lives). God made a promise to Jacob, and his grandfathers, that He would keep His promise with their posterity. This very moment is that promise being fulfilled in a specific moment.
27:2 The daughters present their case to Moses, Eleazar the priest and the leaders of the congregation of Israel.
27:3-4 Their father has died and while he was alive, he never produced any sons to inherit his portion from God on earth. The custom at the time was that sons inherited land. The daughters explain that their father was a just man, guilty of nothing except his own flaws (which we all have). They explain that their father was an honorable and faithful man and that he does not deserve to be forgotten just because he never had sons.
This is an opportune time to explore God's love for each of us individually. Although the social construction of the time suggested otherwise, God has equal love for all of His children without partiality, Deuteronomy 10:17, Romans 2:11, Acts 10:34. Even now in our own generation, we might feel disconnected from God but He is not an exclusive club. He is a family and He draws us in, His children whom He knows intricately:
- Luke 12:7, Matthew 10:30 Indeed the very hairs on your head are all numbered.
- Psalm 139:13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
- Ephesians 1:4 For he chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight. In love...
Neither these daughters nor their father would ever be forgotten by God. Neither will you be forgotten:
- Isaiah 49:15 Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!
27:5 Moses brings their concerns to our loving God.
27:6-7 God responds with an answer for the daughters: "The daughters of Zelophehad speak what is right; you shall surely give them a possession of inheritance among their father’s brothers, and cause the inheritance of their father to pass to them."
The daughters 1) spoke the truth, 2) genuinely cared about their father, which is a commandment and 3) believed in God's promised land even though they had not seen or arrived at it yet. They had faith.
27:8-11 God continues to respond with specific inheritance laws that will surely help many families of the congregation of Israel. God explains that a family's inheritance should always be passed to the next of kin.
27:12-14 God instructs Moses to climb this Mount Abarim to view the land which He has promised to give to the children of Israel. God wants Moses to see the promise land, but not enter it. Moses disobeyed God. Disobedience is especially frowned upon by a prophet or teacher of the Word, because they are meant to be an example for the people, James 3:1. Even though Moses make a mistake, He did not lose God's love. He did however, relinquish his place as a prophet and therefore, God needs to appoint another and prepare Moses and the next prophet for the changeover.
Aaron is mentioned and we are reminded that he too relinquished his "job" or responsibility given by God, Numbers 20.
Slight digression: God is busy. While settling matters for the congregation of Israel, He is protecting them from outsiders (Numbers 22) while simultaneously preparing the groups current and future prophet-leader. Meanwhile, He is listening to the prayers of each of His children. Providing food and water. Arranging their (our) future, collectively and individually. While teaching us, guiding us, loving us, forgiving us... yes, God is busy. Yet He does all of this with love and grace and ease. With precision.
27:15-17 Moses prays to God to choose a prophet who will shepherd the children of Israel in his absence. Someone who will lead them out and bring them in. Because as God's sojourning children, we are always on journeys. As a species. As a collection of souls. As individuals learning individual lessons. Moses' prayer is that we will have a helper, a comforter to lead us.
God will answer Moses' prayer, multi-fold. Not only does God provide prophets throughout the Bible (and history of humanity), He also provides our Messiah as well as His holy spirit. Disciples and kind, faithful souls. For Jesus is our shepherd, Isaiah 40:11, John 10:11. We are the figurative sheep and God is so zealous about protecting us, John 21:15-17. God sends us a comforter, the Holy Spirit, John 14. We are never abandoned. We are never not led. When we are hungry for His love and wisdom we are never unfed.
27:18 The Lord chooses His next prophet: Joshua, Moses' righteous assistant. The name Joshua means: God is salvation. God describes Joshua to be "a man in whom is the Spirit." The love and word and leadership of God is alive within his soul.
27:19-21 God instructs Moses to inaugurate Joshua before Eleazar the priest and before the children of Israel. In their sight, Moses is instructed by God to share some of his authority to Joshua thus creating a smooth transition. The people are used to following Moses; they will need time and opportunity to accept Joshua.
27:22-23 Moses does all that God instructs him to do; Joshua begins to take his place as the next leader of the children of Israel.
Leading our journey so far, the families and leadership of: Abraham - Isaac - Jacob - Moses - Joshua.
