3 Now Zelophehad son of Hepher son of Gilead son of Machir son of Manasseh had no sons, but only daughters; and these are the names of his daughters: Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. 4 They came before the priest Eleazar and Joshua son of Nun and the leaders, and said, “The Lord commanded Moses to give us an inheritance along with our male kin.” So according to the commandment of the Lord he gave them an inheritance among the kinsmen of their father.
For those reading along in the Bible with me this year, this story may sound familiar. Earlier in the book of Numbers, when the Israelites were still wandering the wilderness and the division of the Promised Land was being determined, the daughters of Zelophehad came before Moses and Eleazar the Priest and asked them for inheritance rights in order to keep their father’s property in the family after he died sonless (chapter 27 verse 1 and following). Moses ruled on their behalf, a word he said that came from the LORD.
But now, in the distribution of the land, these same daughters are made to go again before Moses’ successor Joshua and the Priest Eleazar, to ensure the ruling was honored and the property was rightfully distributed to the family, in spite of there being no male heir.
Some important points can be drawn here.
1. At every turn women have had to fight for their rights as people
2. These women did not leave things in the hands of the powers that be, but took it upon themselves to be their own advocates — an early form of Feminist engagement
3. Knowing ones rights is necessary and empowering
4. Leaders must be held accountable for promises made, and not just assumed to act appropriately — even if the leaders are great generals or high priests. Vigilance is necessary to protect and defend the rights of all, and especially the powerless.
There is some interesting and relevant stuff in this Bible, which I’m reading all the way through this year. Tomorrow’s Lesson will be from Joshua chapters 19-21.
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