Just the one short final chapter to finish off the book of Numbers today. The inheritance rights of the women is secure as we see through Zelophehad’s daughters. Our inheritance in Christ is also secure. Be blessed everyone.
Numbers 36: Marriage of Female Heirs
1 The heads of the fathers' houses of the clan of the people of Gilead the son of Machir, son of Manasseh, from the clans of the people of Joseph, came near and spoke before Moses and before the chiefs, the heads of the fathers' houses of the people of Israel.
2 They said, "The LORD commanded my lord to give the land for inheritance by lot to the people of Israel, and my lord was commanded by the LORD to give the inheritance of Zelophehad our brother to his daughters.
3 But if they are married to any of the sons of the other tribes of the people of Israel, then their inheritance will be taken from the inheritance of our fathers and added to the inheritance of the tribe into which they marry. So it will be taken away from the lot of our inheritance.
4 And when the jubilee of the people of Israel comes, then their inheritance will be added to the inheritance of the tribe into which they marry, and their inheritance will be taken from the inheritance of the tribe of our fathers."
5 And Moses commanded the people of Israel according to the word of the LORD, saying, "The tribe of the people of Joseph is right.
6 This is what the LORD commands concerning the daughters of Zelophehad, 'Let them marry whom they think best, only they shall marry within the clan of the tribe of their father.
7 The inheritance of the people of Israel shall not be transferred from one tribe to another, for every one of the people of Israel shall hold on to the inheritance of the tribe of his fathers.
8 And every daughter who possesses an inheritance in any tribe of the people of Israel shall be wife to one of the clan of the tribe of her father, so that every one of the people of Israel may possess the inheritance of his fathers.
9 So no inheritance shall be transferred from one tribe to another, for each of the tribes of the people of Israel shall hold on to its own inheritance.'"
10 The daughters of Zelophehad did as the LORD commanded Moses,
11 for Mahlah, Tirzah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Noah, the daughters of Zelophehad, were married to sons of their father's brothers.
12 They were married into the clans of the people of Manasseh the son of Joseph, and their inheritance remained in the tribe of their father's clan.
13 These are the commandments and the rules that the LORD commanded through Moses to the people of Israel in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho.
Things to think about…
1. In Num 36 we see Zelophehad only having daughters and land inheritance passed only through the sons up to this point. His inheritance would be lost if his daughters married from another tribe. This chapter allows his daughters listed in vs 11 to marry, but only to sons of the their father’s brothers. This way the inheritance would remain in their fathers house. I.E they were allowed to marry their first cousins. This was also permitted under the Mosaic law Dt 25:5. There is a lot of discussion on the internet regarding marriage between cousins. I certainly knew of it when I lived and worked in Tasmania.
2. Num 36:13 says these commandments were given to Israel on the plains of Moab at Jericho. I.E just before they entered into Canaan. God wanted them to know what laws were to be kept and how He was to be honoured in this new land. When churches fail to preach the gospel they close and their gospel light is taken away because they have not loved His word or each other. They grieve His Spirit, so He leaves. We are told we are no longer under the law, but now under grace. What place does the law have, if any, for the Christian? Should the law even be preached from pulpits now that we are under grace and saved by grace through faith? There is of course no understanding of grace without an understanding of the requirements of the law. The cross loses its significance if we don’t understand the power of the law that caused our separation from God. The law must be kept one way or another. Christ fulfills the law on our behalf.
3. Australian law actually allows the marriage of first cousins. Charles Darwin, the father of the evolutionary theory married his first cousin. We are Christ’s bride. He has married us. We have an inheritance in Him. We are called to marry only within our ‘tribe’ I.E Christians. This is closely connected with our heritage and inheritance. We put the spiritual inheritance of our children in danger when we marry unbelievers. How do you think this happens, especially where a Christian woman marries a non-Christian man?
Vision Point for cell groups
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Title was “The highs and lows of the Judean kingdom” from 2 Chronicles 36:14-21
1. Andrew Otte mentioned all the good, the bad and the worst kings of Juda listed in 2 Chronicles 26-36. Do remember who was mentioned as good and bad kings? Who was the GOAT (Greatest Of All Time) and why?
2. Isaiah the prophet was mentioned in the message and had 3 sons. What were their names and why was King Ahaz fearful? How was this significant to the GOAT – Hezekiah and what he showed to the Babylonians and our reading in 2 Chr 36. How was Isaiah’s second son “Immanuel” mentioned in Isa 7:14 significant?
3. Andrew mentioned the Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky scandal. Billy Graham was asked to give a comment at the time. What was his comment and how is it relevant to us? Even the best of us have issues, comment on this.
4. Pray for our new government, that the gospel and churches are made stronger. Pray for Ukraine and other issues within the group.
Prayer Points
1. Continue to pray for wisdom with gun ownership in the US w.r.t the mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas. Elementary school 21 dead. 19 students, 2 adults. No words for this horror.
2. Our new Albanese government. That the Lord would be merciful. We need it with the spiritual change that has been happening in Australia.
3. Peace to rest over Ukraine.
4. Continue to pray for the flood clean-up as well as the money donated to help.
5. Folk sick with Covid – relief and healing.
6. Pray for other building projects – café roof, the repair of the house roof.
7. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to remain and increase.
Praise Points
1. Andrew Otte’s message on Sunday
2. Worship on Sunday – thankyou Josh, Ben, iMan, Tim.
3. All those who faithfully serve in ministries, Worship, Sound/Technical/Kids Church/ Cell Groups/Admin - Bulletins/Finances/Property/Welcoming/Spiritual Leadership/Cafe
4. Joy, peace and grace we see at CBC. Thankyou Lord
Announcements
1. Remember to check your duty rosters.
2. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
3. Tune in again this week on our youtube page. Subscribe to the CBC channel Chuwar Baptist YouTube channel.
Catechism question for June...
Q. 4. What becomes of men when they die? A. The body returns to dust, and the soul goes back to God to be judged.
