Audio Download

Numbers 36:1-13 Marriage of Female Heirs

[Study Aired January 15, 2024]

Introduction

Chapter 36 is the last chapter of the Book of Numbers, and it focuses on how we can guarantee our inheritance through marriage with Christ. In Chapter 27, we encountered the five daughters of Zelophehad who came to Moses to demand the inheritance of their father. Their father Zelophehad did not have a son but only five daughters. This is how the story unfolds in Numbers chapter 27: 

Num 27:1  Then drew near the daughters of Zelophehad the son of Hepher, son of Gilead, son of Machir, son of Manasseh, from the clans of Manasseh the son of Joseph. The names of his daughters were: Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah.
Num 27:2  And they stood before Moses and before Eleazar the priest and before the chiefs and all the congregation, at the entrance of the tent of meeting, saying,
Num 27:3  “Our father died in the wilderness. He was not among the company of those who gathered themselves together against the LORD in the company of Korah, but died for his own sin. And he had no sons.
Num 27:4  Why should the name of our father be taken away from his clan because he had no son? Give to us a possession among our father’s brothers.”
Num 27:5  Moses brought their case before the LORD.
Num 27:6  And the LORD said to Moses,
Num 27:7  “The daughters of Zelophehad are right. You shall give them possession of an inheritance among their father’s brothers and transfer the inheritance of their father to them.
Num 27:8  And you shall speak to the people of Israel, saying, ‘If a man dies and has no son, then you shall transfer his inheritance to his daughter.
Num 27:9  And if he has no daughter, then you shall give his inheritance to his brothers.
Num 27:10  And if he has no brothers, then you shall give his inheritance to his father’s brothers.
Num 27:11  And if his father has no brothers, then you shall give his inheritance to the nearest kinsman of his clan, and he shall possess it. And it shall be for the people of Israel a statute and rule, as the LORD commanded Moses.’”

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. We can therefore 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 being diseased. 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 the 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.

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 did not rebel against Moses and Aaron. This implies that our Lord Jesus Christ never rebelled against God the father 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.

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 His death, the Lord 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.

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.

With all these in mind, let’s look at today’s study which shows us what we must do to maintain our inheritance.

The Request not to Marry from Other Tribes

Num 36:1  And the chief fathers of the families of the children of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, of the families of the sons of Joseph, came near, and spake before Moses, and before the princes, the chief fathers of the children of Israel:
Num 36:2  And they said, The LORD commanded my lord to give the land for an inheritance by lot to the children of Israel: and my lord was commanded by the LORD to give the inheritance of Zelophehad our brother unto his daughters.
Num 36:3  And if they be married to any of the sons of the other tribes of the children of Israel, then shall their inheritance be taken from the inheritance of our fathers, and shall be put to the inheritance of the tribe whereunto they are received: so shall it be taken from the lot of our inheritance.

The elders of the families of Manesseh, the son of Joseph, came to Moses concerned that if the daughters of Zelophehad married men from the other tribes of Israel, they shall lose their inheritance to other tribes over time. As a result, the inheritance of the families of Manesseh which they received by lot will diminish. The inheritance signifies the reward we shall receive in the fullness of time. Receiving our inheritance by lot means that it is the Lord who does all the work through us to make us worthy of a reward or prize. 

Pro 16:33  The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.

These verses bring to our attention the fact that our reward is not guaranteed. The Bible has in several places warned us about not being able to receive the reward. That is the same as being disqualified for the prize or crown.

Rev 3:11  Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.

Rev 3:3  Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.

Heb 6:7  For land that has drunk the rain that often falls on it, and produces a crop useful to those for whose sake it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God. 
Heb 6:8  But if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed, and its end is to be burned.
Heb 6:9  Though we speak in this way, yet in your case, beloved, we feel sure of better things—things that belong to salvation.

In these verses under discussion, we are made aware of one of the specific reasons why we may fall short of receiving the prize – through marriage. In other words, if the daughters of Zelophehad marry men from other tribes, they run the risk of losing their inheritance. That is to say that we must avoid being unequally yoked. It is not only in marriage that we become unequally yoked. When we find ourselves still under the dictates of the flesh, even though the light of Christ has shown forth in our hearts, then we are unequally yoked. 

2Co 6:14  Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? 
2Co 6:15  What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever?
2Co 6:16  What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, “I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
2Co 6:17  Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you,
2Co 6:18  and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.”

In the Bible, a typical example of a man who lost it even though he started well is Solomon. No wonder his name is absent from Hebrews chapter 11 which talks about the hall of fame of faith. That is, those who had persevered in faith. The reason for Solomon’s fall was due to being unequally yoked. 

1Ki 11:1  Now King Solomon loved many foreign women, along with the daughter of Pharaoh: Moabite, Ammonite, Edomite, Sidonian, and Hittite women,
1Ki 11:2  from the nations concerning which the LORD had said to the people of Israel, “You shall not enter into marriage with them, neither shall they with you, for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods.” Solomon clung to these in love. 
1Ki 11:3  He had 700 wives, who were princesses, and 300 concubines. And his wives turned away his heart.
1Ki 11:4  For when Solomon was old his wives turned away his heart after other gods, and his heart was not wholly true to the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father.
1Ki 11:5  For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites.
1Ki 11:6  So Solomon did what was evil in the sight of the LORD and did not wholly follow the LORD, as David his father had done.

These things are written for our admonition upon whom the ends of the world are come.

1Co 10:11  Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. 
1Co 10:12  Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

Num 36:4  And when the jubilee of the children of Israel shall be, then shall their inheritance be put unto the inheritance of the tribe whereunto they are received: so shall their inheritance be taken away from the inheritance of the tribe of our fathers.

The Jubilee year is the fiftieth year. It is the time that liberty is proclaimed throughout the land of Israel as each person returns to his property and to his clan. It is a time that the people of Israel rest from their labors and slaves are set free. This time of Jubilee is when the inheritance of the daughters of Zelophehad shall be added to the inheritance of the tribes that they marry other than their tribe. Spiritually, we are being told that it is during the first resurrection that we come to see those who had lost their reward during their time here on earth.

Lev 25:8  “You shall count seven weeks of years, seven times seven years, so that the time of the seven weeks of years shall give you forty-nine years. 
Lev 25:9  Then you shall sound the loud trumpet on the tenth day of the seventh month. On the Day of Atonement you shall sound the trumpet throughout all your land. 
Lev 25:10  And you shall consecrate the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a jubilee for you, when each of you shall return to his property and each of you shall return to his clan. 
Lev 25:11  That fiftieth year shall be a jubilee for you; in it you shall neither sow nor reap what grows of itself nor gather the grapes from the undressed vines. 
Lev 25:12  For it is a jubilee. It shall be holy to you. You may eat the produce of the field.

Num 36:5  And Moses commanded the children of Israel according to the word of the LORD, saying, The tribe of the sons of Joseph hath said well.
Num 36:6  This is the thing which the LORD doth command concerning the daughters of Zelophehad, saying, Let them marry to whom they think best; only to the family of the tribe of their father shall they marry.
Num 36:7  So shall not the inheritance of the children of Israel remove from tribe to tribe: for every one of the children of Israel shall keep himself to the inheritance of the tribe of his fathers. 
Num 36:8  And every daughter, that possesseth an inheritance in any tribe of the children of Israel, shall be wife unto one of the family of the tribe of her father, that the children of Israel may enjoy every man the inheritance of his fathers.
Num 36:9  Neither shall the inheritance remove from one tribe to another tribe; but every one of the tribes of the children of Israel shall keep himself to his own inheritance.

In these verses, the daughters of Zelophehad are required to marry within the tribe of their father in order to keep their inheritance. That is another way of saying that we must marry only those who are in the Lord. Marrying anyone who does not share in our common faith or being unequally yoked is a sure way to lose our crown.

1Co 7:39  A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord.

We can easily become unequally yoked by association. We can depart physically from Babylon, but if we continue to retain in our heavens their false doctrines, then they can become false idols which will eventually cause us to lose our inheritance. 

Eze 14:1  Then certain of the elders of Israel came to me and sat before me. 
Eze 14:2  And the word of the LORD came to me:
Eze 14:3  “Son of man, these men have taken their idols into their hearts, and set the stumbling block of their iniquity before their faces. Should I indeed let myself be consulted by them? 
Eze 14:4  Therefore speak to them and say to them, Thus says the Lord GOD: Any one of the house of Israel who takes his idols into his heart and sets the stumbling block of his iniquity before his face, and yet comes to the prophet, I the LORD will answer him as he comes with the multitude of his idols, 
Eze 14:5  that I may lay hold of the hearts of the house of Israel, who are all estranged from me through their idols.

Num 36:10  Even as the LORD commanded Moses, so did the daughters of Zelophehad: 
Num 36:11  For Mahlah, Tirzah, and Hoglah, and Milcah, and Noah, the daughters of Zelophehad, were married unto their father’s brothers’ sons:
Num 36:12  And they were married into the families of the sons of Manasseh the son of Joseph, and their inheritance remained in the tribe of the family of their father. 
Num 36:13  These are the commandments and the judgments, which the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses unto the children of Israel in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho.

At the Lord’s command, the five daughters of Zelophehad all married their cousins to retain their inheritance within the tribe of Manasseh. We can see that it is what the Lord wants that is important and not what we desire. The five daughters may have had their preferences in terms of who to marry which may be outside their tribe. However, they set their desire aside to be obedient to the Lord since they value their inheritance more than their lives here on earth. Moses also was looking forward to the reward as He considered the reproach of Christ greater than the treasures of Egypt or the world. Our Lord Jesus Christ set us the ultimate example of focusing on the joy that was set before Him as He despised the shame of what He was to go through.

Heb 12:1  Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
Heb 12:2  looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Heb 11:24  By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, 
Heb 11:25  choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin.
Heb 11:26  He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward.

Talking about how we can guarantee our reward or inheritance, we are also told through the word of the Lord to keep our bodies under subjection.

1Co 9:24  Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.
1Co 9:25  Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we, an imperishable.
1Co 9:26  So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air.
1Co 9:27  But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified. (ESV)

The question is how do we keep our bodies in subjection? The word of the Lord tells us that if we walk in the spirit, then we do not come under the dictates of our flesh or bodies. The “walk” in this case means being ‘occupied with’ according to Strong’s Dictionary. The word of the Lord is spirit, and as we desire to live by His word or become occupied with His words, the Lord enables us to obey His words and therefore we are able to walk in the spirit.

Gal 5:16  But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
Gal 5:17  For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.
Gal 5:18  But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

May the Lord help us to focus on the joy that is set before us just as our Lord did and is seated on the right hand of God!! Amen!!