Numbers 27:1-23 The Daughters of Zelophehad

[Study Aired November 13, 2023]

Num 27:1  Then came the daughters of Zelophehad, the son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, of the families of Manasseh the son of Joseph: and these are the names of his daughters; Mahlah, Noah, and Hoglah, and Milcah, and Tirzah. 
Num 27:2  And they stood before Moses, and before Eleazar the priest, and before the princes and all the congregation, by the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, saying, 
Num 27:3  Our father died in the wilderness, and he was not in the company of them that gathered themselves together against the LORD in the company of Korah; but died in his own sin, and had no sons. 
Num 27:4  Why should the name of our father be done away from among his family, because he hath no son? Give unto us therefore a possession among the brethren of our father. 
Num 27:5  And Moses brought their cause before the LORD. 
Num 27:6  And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 
Num 27:7  The daughters of Zelophehad speak right: thou shalt surely give them a possession of an inheritance among their father’s brethren; and thou shalt cause the inheritance of their father to pass unto them. 
Num 27:8  And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a man die, and have no son, then ye shall cause his inheritance to pass unto his daughter. 
Num 27:9  And if he have no daughter, then ye shall give his inheritance unto his brethren.
Num 27:10  And if he have no brethren, then ye shall give his inheritance unto his father’s brethren. 
Num 27:11  And if his father have no brethren, then ye shall give his inheritance unto his kinsman that is next to him of his family, and he shall possess it: and it shall be unto the children of Israel a statute of judgment, as the LORD commanded Moses. 
Num 27:12  And the LORD said unto Moses, Get thee up into this mount Abarim, and see the land which I have given unto the children of Israel. 
Num 27:13  And when thou hast seen it, thou also shalt be gathered unto thy people, as Aaron thy brother was gathered. 
Num 27:14  For ye rebelled against my commandment in the desert of Zin, in the strife of the congregation, to sanctify me at the water before their eyes: that is the water of Meribah in Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin. 
Num 27:15  And Moses spake unto the LORD, saying, 
Num 27:16  Let the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, set a man over the congregation, 
Num 27:17  Which may go out before them, and which may go in before them, and which may lead them out, and which may bring them in; that the congregation of the LORD be not as sheep which have no shepherd. 
Num 27:18  And the LORD said unto Moses, Take thee Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit, and lay thine hand upon him; 
Num 27:19  And set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation; and give him a charge in their sight. 
Num 27:20  And thou shalt put some of thine honour upon him, that all the congregation of the children of Israel may be obedient. 
Num 27:21  And he shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall ask counsel for him after the judgment of Urim before the LORD: at his word shall they go out, and at his word they shall come in, both he, and all the children of Israel with him, even all the congregation. 
Num 27:22  And Moses did as the LORD commanded him: and he took Joshua, and set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation: 
Num 27:23  And he laid his hands upon him, and gave him a charge, as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses. 

Introduction

Today’s study continues with the issue of inheritance. Specifically, it deals with a peculiar situation where a man dies having no son but has daughters.  The chapter also focuses on the death of Moses with Joshua confirmed as the new leader. As we are aware, the letter kills, but it is the spirit that gives life. Our study today will therefore focus on the spiritual implication of the events which occurred in this chapter.

Joh 6:63  It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

2Co 3:6  Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.

As indicated in the previous study, the promise of an inheritance or reward is dependent on our being able to possess the land, that is, to overcome the flesh. The reward system of the Lord is a key issue in the word of the Lord as it serves as the driving force for our work here on earth. Our Lord Jesus was motivated by the joy that was set before Him. Being with the Father and knowing the glory He left to become a man, He was motivated by what He had seen.

Heb 12:2  Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

As He is, so are we. We are also motivated by what the Lord has shown to us about the glory to be revealed in the fullness of time. Our walk here on this earth is therefore based on the premise that our Lord is a rewarder of them who seek Him diligently.

Heb 11:6  But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. 

Rev 22:12  And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.

This promise of reward weighed heavily on Peter’s mind when he asked the Lord the following:

Mat 19:27  Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?
Mat 19:28  And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
Mat 19:29  And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.

In the Book of Revelation chapters 2 and 3, we are given more details of what our inheritance or reward entails. Some of these are as follows:

Rev 2:7  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God. 

Rev 2:11  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death. 

Rev 2:26  And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: 
Rev 2:27  And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.
Rev 2:28  And I will give him the morning star. 

Rev 3:5  He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.

In this study, we are given to know more about the surety of the inheritance or reward awaiting the Lord’s children in the fullness of time. The study also reveals to us that it is after the law of Moses has run its course in our lives we encounter Christ. This is symbolized by the death of Moses and the appointment of Joshua as Moses’ replacement.

The Daughter of Zelophehad Shall Receive an Inheritance

Num 27:1  Then came the daughters of Zelophehad, the son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, of the families of Manasseh the son of Joseph: and these are the names of his daughters; Mahlah, Noah, and Hoglah, and Milcah, and Tirzah.

Zelophehad means firstborn. From the scriptures, we know that the Lord is the firstborn of creation. What this implies is that Zelophehad symbolized our Lord Jesus Christ.

Col 1:15  Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:

What we need to understand is that during the Lord’s life here on earth, He did not convert anybody and therefore died without having sons. However, after His death, the church was born when the Holy Spirit descended on the disciples to endow them with power on the day of Pentecost. Therefore, we can say that at the Lord’s death, He left us the church of the firstborn. The five daughters of Zelophehad therefore represent the church. Being five daughters means that the church is born by grace through faith which is the significance of the number five.

Luk 22:31  And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:
Luk 22:32  But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

The names of the daughters of Zelophehad reveal to us the process the church goes through to become mature to receive an inheritance. The first daughter’s name Mahlah means ‘disease.’ We start our walk with the Lord as a diseased person. That is, we were burdened by sin. The second daughter’s name is “Noah” which means rest or relief. It is when Christ comes to us that we begin to experience relief or rest in Him. The third daughter’s name is “Hoglah” which means a partridge, a kind of bird. It is when we find rest in Him that we are likened to a bird that has escaped from the snare of the fowler.

Psa 124:6  Blessed be the LORD, who has not given us as prey to their teeth!
Psa 124:7  We have escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowlers; the snare is broken, and we have escaped!
Psa 124:8  Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth.

The fourth daughter of Zelophehad is called “Milcah” which means “Queen.” Since the Lord is the king of Kings, being His bride means we are queens. The fifth daughter is called “Tirzah” which means “Delight.” On that day that we shall sit on thrones with our Lord Jesus Christ, that will be a delight!!

Rev 20:4  And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

Num 27:2  And they stood before Moses, and before Eleazar the priest, and before the princes and all the congregation, by the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, saying,
Num 27:3  Our father died in the wilderness, and he was not in the company of them that gathered themselves together against the LORD in the company of Korah; but died in his own sin, and had no sons. 

The daughters of Zelophehad told Moses and Eleazer that their father did not have sons and was not part of those who rebelled against Moses and Aaron. However, he died in his own sin. The statement “he died in his own sin” must be interrogated. According to Strong, the statement can mean sin or the punishment for sin. Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB) also affirms that the statement could also mean ‘punishment for sin’ as shown below:

H2399
חטא
chêṭ’
BDB Definition:
1) sin
1a) sin
1b) guilt for sin
1c) punishment for sin

As we indicated, Zelophehad symbolizes the Lord Jesus Christ. As shown in verse 4, Zelophehad not rebelling against Moses and Aaron symbolizes the fact that our Lord Jesus Christ never rebelled against God, who is symbolized by Moses and Aaron. As explained, Zelophehad dying in his own sin means that our Lord Jesus Christ died as a result of the punishment of sin, as the sins of the whole world were laid on Him. As indicated, Zelophehad having no sons implies that while Jesus was here on earth, he did not convert anybody.

Luk 22:31  And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: 
Luk 22:32  But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

Num 27:4  Why should the name of our father be done away from among his family, because he hath no son? Give unto us therefore a possession among the brethren of our father.
Num 27:5  And Moses brought their cause before the LORD.

The daughters of Zelophehad petitioned Moses and Eleazer to consider giving them an inheritance since it was not the fault of their father for not having sons but only daughters. At Christ’s death, He gave birth to the church, which is represented by the five daughters. However, before He died, not any of the disciples was converted to become a son.

One good thing about Moses is that he consulted the Lord in everything. When this matter was brought before him by the daughters of Zelophehad, he did not use his own discretion to judge the matter. As the Lord’s elect, we need to depend wholly on the Lord for guidance and not rely on our own understanding.

Pro 3:5  Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
Pro 3:6  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. 
Pro 3:7  Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.

Num 27:6  And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 
Num 27:7  The daughters of Zelophehad speak right: thou shalt surely give them a possession of an inheritance among their father’s brethren; and thou shalt cause the inheritance of their father to pass unto them. 
Num 27:8  And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a man die, and have no son, then ye shall cause his inheritance to pass unto his daughter. 
Num 27:9  And if he have no daughter, then ye shall give his inheritance unto his brethren.
Num 27:10  And if he have no brethren, then ye shall give his inheritance unto his father’s brethren.
Num 27:11  And if his father have no brethren, then ye shall give his inheritance unto his kinsman that is next to him of his family, and he shall possess it: and it shall be unto the children of Israel a statute of judgment, as the LORD commanded Moses.

The bride of Christ or the church of the firstborn, represented by the daughters of Zelophehad, shall surely be rewarded with an inheritance. Verses 9 to 11 all say the same thing but in different perspectives. We, His elect, are Jesus’ brethren, His sons and at the same time, His kinsmen that are next to Him of His family and therefore are destined to receive an inheritance. 

Heb 2:11  For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,
Heb 2:12  Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.

The time the church of the firstborn shall receive an inheritance is when the kingdoms of this world become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ. That is at the time of the first resurrection.

Rev 11:15  And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

The Death of Moses

Num 27:12  And the LORD said unto Moses, Get thee up into this mount Abarim, and see the land which I have given unto the children of Israel. 
Num 27:13  And when thou hast seen it, thou also shalt be gathered unto thy people, as Aaron thy brother was gathered.
Num 27:14  For ye rebelled against my commandment in the desert of Zin, in the strife of the congregation, to sanctify me at the water before their eyes: that is the water of Meribah in Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin.

Abarim means “regions beyond.” It represents a mountain or range of mountains on the east of the Jordan, in the land of Moab, opposite to Jericho. Mount Nebo where Moses died is part of this range. This means that it is while we are at Babylon, operating under the law of Moses that the Lord started to open our eyes to see. That is when we started seeing more clearly what our inheritance is all about. In verse 13, it is after Moses has seen the land that he was to die. This implies that it is when we begin to see by faith the glory to be revealed that we die to the law, as the law has finished its work in our lives.

Heb 11:13  These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

The law, together with its ordinances, all died within us in faith as we embraced by faith the joy that is set before us. In verse 14, the death of Moses was because he rebelled against the commandment of the Lord. As a result, he could not honor the Lord as holy at the water of Meribah. What this signifies is that through the law, we cannot honor the Lord as holy, and therefore, the law must be done away with (die) to give way to the law of the Spirit of life which sets us free from the law of sin and death (the law of Moses).

Rom 8:1  There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 
Rom 8:2  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

It is insightful to note that Meribah means ‘contention.’ The water of Meribah therefore means the water of contention. The law of the Spirit of life, which Jesus came to proclaim (symbolized by the water at Meribah), will always be in contention with the law of Moses, which brings condemnation.

Num 27:15  And Moses spake unto the LORD, saying,
Num 27:16  Let the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, set a man over the congregation, 
Num 27:17  Which may go out before them, and which may go in before them, and which may lead them out, and which may bring them in; that the congregation of the LORD be not as sheep which have no shepherd.

Physically, the death of Moses left a vacuum, and without another person to lead the Lord’s people, they were going to be like sheep without a shepherd. That situation is described in the Book of Judges, where every man did what was right in his own eyes as there was no king in Israel during the time of the judges.

Jdg 21:25  In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.

Spiritually, when the law of sin and death is done away with, as we begin our journey of faith, there is the need for another law to be in place to guide the Lord’s elect, lest they falter. This new law is the law of the Spirit of life which sets us free from the law of sin and death. Our lives in Babylon were characterized by being led by the law of sin and death. Since we were helpless as far as the flesh was concerned, we lived according to the flesh which brought condemnation. It is when faith came that this law of sin and death was done away with, and we began our journey based on the law of the Spirit of life which Jesus started teaching in Matthew chapter 5 (the sermon on the mount).

Gal 3:23  But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. 
Gal 3:24  Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 
Gal 3:25  But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. 
Gal 3:26  For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. 

Rom 8:12  Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. 
Rom 8:13  For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
Rom 8:14  For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
Rom 8:15  For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
Rom 8:16  The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
Rom 8:17  And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

Num 27:18  And the LORD said unto Moses, Take thee Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit, and lay thine hand upon him; 
Num 27:19  And set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation; and give him a charge in their sight.

The name Joshua means ‘the Lord is salvation.’ It is insightful to note that the name Nun, the father of Joshua means ‘perpetuity.’ We know that it is only God the Father who can be described as perpetuity. That is the same as the accolade “ancient of days.”

Psa 90:1  A Prayer of Moses the man of God. Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations. 
Psa 90:2  Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting (perpetuity), thou art God. 

Dan 7:13  I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. 
Dan 7:14  And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.

We can therefore say that Joshua spiritually represents the Lord Jesus Christ. The doing away with the law of Moses or the law of sin and death is the beginning of our walk by faith in Christ Jesus. In other words, we start to operate under a new law of the Spirit which sets us free from the law of Moses. Operating under the law of the Spirit of life is the same as being in Christ. In verse 18, Joshua being a man in whom is the spirit is another way of saying that this new law in Christ is of the spirit.

In verse 19, being set before Eleazer the Priest and all the congregation to be given the charge of leading the people of Israel signifies our Lord in His role as both a High Priest and a leader of the people.

Heb 4:14  Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
Heb 4:15  For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 
Heb 4:16  Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Num 27:20  And thou shalt put some of thine honour upon him, that all the congregation of the children of Israel may be obedient. 
Num 27:21  And he shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall ask counsel for him after the judgment of Urim before the LORD: at his word shall they go out, and at his word they shall come in, both he, and all the children of Israel with him, even all the congregation.

In verse 20, the Lord asked Moses to put some of his honor on Moses so that all the congregation may be obedient to him. In this case, Moses represents God who had put some of His honor on Jesus. This scenario is depicted clearly in the case of Joseph on whom Pharoah put some of his honor when he made him ruler of Egypt.

Gen 41:41  And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt.
Gen 41:42  And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph’s hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck; 
Gen 41:43  And he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried before him, Bow the knee: and he made him ruler over all the land of Egypt.

As we are aware, all these things which are written are for our sakes to let us know that the Lord has put His honor on His elect, although in this life, we are not honored before the people. However, in the fullness of time, all humanity, represented in verse 20 by the children of Israel, may be obedient to us. 

Joh 5:23  That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.

In verse 21, Eleazer the Priest shall ask for counsel for Joshua using the judgment of the Urim before the Lord. Jesus, represented here by Joshua, is endowed with the spirit of wisdom and revelation as He is filled with the Holy Spirit by God to guide Him in leading His people.

Isa 11:1  And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: 
Isa 11:2  And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD; 
Isa 11:3  And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears: 

In our case, the Lord has also given us the Spirit which intercedes on our behalf to lead us to His will in our lives.

Rom 8:26  Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
Rom 8:27  And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

The fact that at Joshua’s word, the people of Israel shall go out, and at his word, they shall come in is another way of saying that it is the Lord’s word which sustains all things.

Heb 1:3  Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

Num 27:22  And Moses did as the LORD commanded him: and he took Joshua, and set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation: 
Num 27:23  And he laid his hands upon him, and gave him a charge, as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses.

One significant lesson we need to pay attention to about Moses is that he always did what the Lord commanded him to do.  That is why the word of the Lord bears testimony to the fact that Moses was faithful in all his house. In verses 22 and 23, Moses here represents God, and Joshua symbolizes our Lord Jesus Christ who was anointed mightily by our Father God and was faithful over His own house; whose house we are.

Heb 3:1  Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;
Heb 3:2  Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house. 
Heb 3:3  For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house. 
Heb 3:4  For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God.
Heb 3:5  And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after; 
Heb 3:6  But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.

May we also be counted faithful even as we follow Christ. Amen!!