March 6: Numbers 26-27

March 6, Numbers 26-27

Numbers 26. Another census is taken, after 24,000 of them just died… But this time, God tells Moses and Eleazar that they are to do a census so that they can establish the size of the tribes, so that they can get an appropriate size of land to fit all the people. Eleazar has now taken over for Aaron as high priest. The one thing to point is in verse 33, how the daughters of Zelophehad had no sons, and only daughters. The next chapter deals with this. What this means, is that in the Ancient world, women were kind of 'owned'. First women were owned by their fathers, and then they were owned by the husband. Part of this, was that the women were considered less-than and didn't have the same rights as men. Women were looked at more to be owned, instead of being an owner.As well as the ability to own property, or get an inheritance, as it was passed down to the sons. If there were no sons, the inheritance and property was passed down to the closest male relative. We saw this recently in our History, during the time period of the 1700's and 1800's. If you have ever watched Jane Austin's 'Pride and Prejudice' or 'Sense and Sensibility,' where the inheritance was passed to the closest male, we have records of wives and daughters, literally moving out of their home, and leaving all of their wealth, to pass it along. This thought process wasn't uncommon. And so it also was in the ancient world. There were only a couple of societies, that allowed women to 'own property' and considered themselves very advanced, these societies where Egypt in their later days, and Rome. But they were more rare, then that of the common. The common thought, was that women were less then. Since this man talked about in verse 33, only had daughters, all of his money, land, and possessions would have been passed to the closest male relative. So keep this in mind, as we are going to learn a little bit about our God.

Numbers 27. Takes up the case, as mentioned above, about the tribe of Joseph, and we have these daughters whose father died. Their Dad did not have any sons to give his land to or possessions, as was both cultural and expected, all of this dead dad's stuff would have been given to a male relative. But instead of accepting this future, these daughters bring their case before the God of the Hebrews. First they started with saying that their father, wasn't disobedient to God, as he didn't die by the plagues of the Lord. They then make a case that would have been culturally unacceptable, during that time period, and  made a case that they would get the same inheritance as a son, and that they would receive the inheritance, so that their Dad’s name would be passed down through the daughters, as well as the sons. Moses didn't put these women in their place, but instead brought the case before the Lord. The Lord God said that the girls were right and to give them their inheritance that was from their father. Then God makes a new rule based on what the girls had discussed. Basically, the land stayed in the family one way or another. Despite the fact that the remaining family members were women. This was incredible. You have God promoting the rights of women before there was even 'women's rights.' This teaches us about God and how He views women. In a world where women have been boughten and sold, and looked down on, God has lifted up women and God sets things straight. God makes the Israelites realize that they are different from other cultures during that time period, not basing their values on what was common or popular, but on what the Lord said and stated them to do. We will always see that our God is always protecting those He loves.

Then we move onto the next leader of Israel. As God tells Moses that his time is up and Moses asks for a successor to lead the people. It is in this chapter that we learn who will be the successor for Moses: Joshua. What a great name;) Anyhow, Moses is to put part of his spirit on him and do this publicly (in front of Eleazar and congregation). Moses laid his hands on Joshua and commissioned him as God directed.

To sum it all up:

• God always provides. Even as Moses will be dying, God has set up a man to take over so that His people are provided for. This is classic Sovereignty - God has got this and God has everything in your life too. 
• God's ways are not like human ways. God always sticks up for humanity, and equalizes the playing field. God often sticks up for the women and children. And we see that later, when Jesus Himself tells us to take care of the widow and the orphan. God's heart, is to take care of those who need help. Are you doing the same?