Numbers 27

Numbers 27:1-11

Here is, 1. The cafe of Zelophehad’s daughters determined, ver. 1 11. 2. None given to Moses of his death approving, ver. 12—14. Presiding made of a justice in the government, 1. By the prayer of Moses, ver. 15—17. 2. By the appointment of God, ver. 18—23.

1. THEN came the daughters of Zelophehad, the son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manafish, of the families of Manafish, the son of Joseph, and thele are the names of his daughters, Malilah, Noah, and Hogbah, and Milcah, and Tirzah. 2. And they stood before Moses, and before Eleazar the priest, and before the priest, and all the congregation, by the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, saying, 3. Our father died in the wilderness, and he was not in the company of them that gathered them. 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. 5. And Moses brought their cause before the LORD. 6. ¶ And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying, 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. 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. 9. And if he have no daughter, then ye shall give his inheritance unto his brethren. 10. And if he have no brethren, then ye shall give his inheritance unto his father’s brethren. 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.

Here is the cafe of Zelophehad’s daughters. Unwilling to be excluded from their father’s share of Canaan, they make application to the high court of judicature, where Moses sat as president; and petition, that since their father died not under any particular act of rebellion and attainder, but under the common sin, they might share his inheritance. They expressed their dependence in God’s faithfulness, and an earnest desire to have a lot in the land of promise. Wife virgins indeed! May we follow their faith and solicitude, that we may have a part in the heavenly Canaan. As the request was unprecedented, Moses enquires of God, and he declares it just and reasonable. Hereupon a standing law is made for the future, that daughters, in fault of male issue, shall share alike their father’s patrimony; and if there be no children, it shall defend to the nearest lineal defendant. Note, In disposing of our estates, though we may not be bound by this Jewish law, yet it is the dictate of justice, that we alienate not our others from the lineal heir, to indulge the pride of raising a name, or through mistaken ideas of meritorious charities.

12. ¶ And the LORD said unto Moses, ‘Get thee up into this mount Aharon, and see the land which I have given unto the children of Israel. 13. And when thou hast seen it, thou also shalt be gathered unto thy people, as I Aaron thy brother was gathered. 14. For ye rebelled against my commandment (in the deters of

Zin, Before Child (1st) Zin, in the thrice of the congregation; to sanctify me at the water before their eyes: that is the water of Meribah in Kadeh in the wilderness of Zin.

Numbers 27:12-14

Moses is warned of his death, and reminded of his sin, which was the cause of it. He must not enter Canaan, but he may be gratified with the spirit of it. For this purpose, he is ordered to go up to mount Aharon, and there, as Aaron before him, is mount Her, after he had seen the promised land, he must be gathered to his fathers. Now, (1.) The durell servants of God go not unpunished for their offences. (2.) Temporal death is the tribute we all must pay for sin. (3.) The dying believer is by faith enabled to die the heavenly country, and to rejoice in the prospect even on this side the grave. (4.) It is among the great comforts of death, that we are going to those, whose presence and company will make the exchange of states most desirable. (5.) We should improve by the death of those whom we have seen depart before us in comfort and peace, and be encouraged to hope, that our last end shall be like theirs. 15. ¶ And Moses spake unto the LORD, saying, 16. I at the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, for a man over the congregation, 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 theep which have no shepherd. 18. ¶ And the LORD told unto Moses, Take thee Joffeus the Son of Nurs, a man in whom is the spirit, and lay thine hand upon him. 19. And set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation; and give him a charge in their sight. 20. And thou shalt put some of thine honour upon him, that all the congregation of the children of Israel may be obedient. 21. And he shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall all benefit 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, but he and all the children of Israel with him, even all the congregation. 22. And Moses did as the LORD commanded him: and he took Joffeus, and set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation. 23. And he laid his hands upon him, and gave him a charge, as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses.

Numbers 27:15-23

With tender solicitude for the people, that they may not be left as sheep without a shepherd, we have here. 1. Moses prayer. He adoresces God, as the God of the spirits of men, and therefore the best judge of their capacities, to choke a man to be their captain in battle, and then faithful magnificent; that after his death, there may be no disputes about the government, and the people under his inconvenience for want of a fit commander. Now, (1.) A real patron extends his views to the future welfare of his nation. (2.) The rising generation should be our peculiar care, that when we are dead, the congregation of the Lord may shall flourish, and his king dom be established. 2. God answers his request in the appointment of Joffeus. He is a man in whom is the spirit: the spirit of grace, as a good man; the spirit of wisdom, as a great man; and the spirit of courage, as a brave man. Eminent services require eminent gifts and graces. In order to his solemn inauguration as his sacrifices, he is commanded to present him to the people, to give him a solemn charge for his future conduct, before them all; to lay his hands upon him, as delegating his office to him, and to honour him, by allocating him into the government with him immediately. Eleazar is appointed as his council, to stand before God to enquire for him, that being under a Divine guidance, he might be enforced of success. Now, They will certainly be guided at right, who take care always to contain the divine oracles. 3. Moses cheerfully obeys. Not envious of his successor, nor solicitous about the interests of his own family, his single care is the good of the people; a noble influence of disinterested zeal, and a true proof of the untrigued humility and integrity of his own heart. Let true patriots imitate in worthy an example.