The Daughters of Zelophehad
Minister: |
Rev. Ronald Van Overloop |
Date: |
7/24/2011 PM
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Text:
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Numbers 27:1-11
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Psalters: |
320, 289, 306, 411 |
Confession of Faith |
- Their bold claim.
- After the second numbering Zelophehad s five girls came boldly before Moses and Eleazar and the princes (2).
- A purpose of this numbering was to determine how to divide the land of Canaan a picture of heaven.
- The girls called the meeting and made a claim and a demand: Give unto us a possession (4b).
- These five daughters realized that their father (and they) would not have a possession of land in Canaan.
- Zelophehand lost his right to a portion of Canaan when he died in the wilderness without any sons.
- As a result Zelophehad s name would have been excluded from Canaan and blotted out of Israel.
- The sisters are bold because they believe that their cause is a righteous one.
- Moses identifies it as a cause (5), i.e., something lawful, righteous, worthy of judgment.
- They were seeking God s righteousness for their father, not their own self-interests.
- They believed that God s righteousness would have suffered if their father s name was not in Canaan.
- And Moses believed it to be a righteous cause because he brings it before Jehovah (5).
- The explanation for the fact that their cause is righteousness: they speak right (7).
- Zelophehad s honor was connected to his having a possession in Canaan.
- It is obvious that the girls did not do this for themselves and their financial gain.
- Negative implications because it was a righteous cause.
- Chapter 36 the concern of the princes of Manasseh and how it was satisfied.
- It is obviously faith in God which motivated these daughters of Zelophehad and gave them such boldness.
- Faith knows and desires what God has promised.
- Thus these five girls are godly examples for the girls of our congregation, for Jessica and Amy.
- Seek the honor of your father and mother.
- Know and desire the truth which describes the fellowship of God with you in Christ.
- Willingly comply with God s demand that you marry only in the Lord (36:6; I Cor. 7:39).