Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | June 22, 2023

“The daughters of Zelophehad are right in their statements.” – “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne.”

Today’s devotion comes from Numbers 27:1-11.

“Then 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, came near;  and these are the names of his daughters:  Mahlah, Noah and Hoglah and Milcah and Tirzah.  They stood before Moses and before Eleazar the priest and before the leaders and all the congregation, at the doorway of the tent of meeting, saying, “Our father died in the wilderness, yet he was not among the company of those who gathered themselves together against the LORD in the company of Korah;  but he died in his own sin, and he had no sons.  Why should the name of our father be withdrawn from among his family because he had no son?  Give us a possession among our father’s brothers.”  So Moses brought their case before the LORD.

Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “The daughters of Zelophehad are right in their statements.  You shall surely give them a hereditary possession among their father’s brothers, and you shall transfer the inheritance of their father to them.  Further, you shall speak to the sons of Israel, saying, ‘If a man dies and has no son, then you shall transfer his inheritance to his daughter.  If he has no daughter, then you shall give his inheritance to his brothers.  If he has no brothers, then you shall give his inheritance to his father’s brothers.  If his father has no brothers, then you shall give his inheritance to his nearest relative in his own family, and he shall possess it;  and it shall be a statutory ordinance to the sons of Israel, just as the LORD commanded Moses.’”  Numbers 27:1-11.

——————–

Today’s Scripture presents a law of inheritance which in a nutshell summary provides that the inheritance should be given to the nearest relative.  Certainly, there are differences, but Florida has a similar law of inheritance which in a nutshell summary provides in the case of a lack of a Last Will and Testament that the inheritance should be given to the nearest relative.  See, for example, Florida Statute 732.103.

It seemed right to the LORD.  “Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “The daughters of Zelophehad are right in their statements.  You shall surely give them a hereditary possession among their father’s brothers, and you shall transfer the inheritance of their father to them.”  Verses 6-7.

We should also seek to enact laws that seem right to the best standards of righteousness, justice, and even lovingkindness (yes, there is a place for some mercy in laws).  

We should rejoice that “…  Righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne.”  Psalm 97:2. 

“He loves righteousness and justice;
The earth is full of the lovingkindness of the LORD.” Psalm 33:5.

“Thus says the LORD, “Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches;  but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth;  for I delight in these things,” declares the LORD.”  Jeremiah 9:23-24.

“7 The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul;
The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
8 The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever;
The judgments of the LORD are true; they are righteous altogether.
10 They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb.
11 Moreover, by them Your servant is warned;
In keeping them there is great reward.” Psalm 19:7-11.


Categories