Numbers 27:1,4-7
One day a petition was presented by the daughters of Zelophehad—Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. Their father, Zelophehad, was a descendant of Hepher son of Gilead, son of Makir, son of Manasseh, son of Joseph. 4 Why should the name of our father disappear from his clan just because he had no sons? Give us property along with the rest of our relatives.” 5 So Moses brought their case before the Lord. 6 And the Lord replied to Moses, 7 “The claim of the daughters of Zelophehad is legitimate. You must give them a grant of land along with their father’s relatives. Assign them the property that would have been given to their father.
This month we celebrate Father’s Day – we pause to honor and recognize those men who represented a godly, masculine, and loving presence in our lives. I am so blessed and thankful that my dad is still living, and I look forward to our daily conversations. Not only was my father a hard worker and great provider, he also was and is a godly man who loved God, my mother, and his children (and others). However, I want to focus on something else this year – my children.
The Lord decided that I would be blessed to raise daughters – four to be exact. I also have several spiritual daughters (and sons). I love them all, I am proud of them, and I am working hard to leave them an inheritance. Proverbs 13:22 says, “A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just”. I intend to do just that!
In the text referenced in Numbers, five young women made history – they are the first women in Scripture that challenged the status quo and were able to own property. Their father didn’t have any sons, and the custom mandated that his property would go to the next male family member. However, these young women stood up and challenged the norm, which put them at a disadvantage. I believe their father’s training prepared them to do this.
I am blessed that all my biological daughters are born-again believers. However, I believe I have instilled several characteristics that have made them successful and will keep them before the Lord all the days of their lives. Don’t misunderstand me, financial inheritance is important, and I have made provisions for this. But leaving them a spiritual inheritance is even more important. Teaching them godly principles, how to worship and pray cannot be replaced.
My father taught me how to treat other people, especially women. He taught me how to work hard and be loyal. I pray that I will instill a legacy in my daughters such that they will stand for what is right. I pray that my daughters will not cower under injustice. I pray that they will be godly women as Zelphehad’s daughter. Because of what their father left those biblical women, many women that followed them are blessed today!
Happy Father’s Day – I bless you in the name of the Lord.