The Law of Moses and the whole Bible is a comprehensive testament of God's reality, character, and righteousness. Thankfully the God who inspired the Bible is accessible and available to guide us into all truth, to make sense out of specific dilemmas the Word of God does not explicitly cover. The Bible is relevant for today because God nor His Word will ever change: He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
After the children of Israel entered the Promised Land, the five daughters of Zelophehad expressed concern the inheritance of their father's house would be lost because he did not bear any sons. Though the Law was detailed, it did not expressly say what should happen in their case. They boldly approached Moses so their situation could be addressed. They said in Numbers 27:4-7, "Why should the name of our father be removed from among his family because he had no son? Give us a possession among our father's brothers." 5 So Moses brought their case before the LORD. 6 And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying: 7 "The daughters of Zelophehad speak what is right; you shall surely give them a possession of inheritance among their father's brothers, and cause the inheritance of their father to pass to them." This interaction shows us the importance of seeking the LORD for wisdom and discernment in every situation, especially in cases that are not explicit in the Bible. Our "common sense" or past experience is insufficient. God affirmed the daughters of Zelophehad spoke rightly and He always judges righteously.
Later in the book of Numbers the head of the tribe of Joseph came before Moses with another pressing issue: if the inheritance was to be passed to the daughters of Zelophehad and they married men from other tribes, it would cause the tribe of Joseph to lose the inheritance given them by lot. The mind of God was shown to Moses and it is written in Numbers 36:5-7, "Then Moses commanded the children of Israel according to the word of the LORD, saying: "What the tribe of the sons of Joseph speaks is right. 6 "This is what the LORD commands concerning the daughters of Zelophehad, saying, 'Let them marry whom they think best, but they may marry only within the family of their father's tribe.' 7 So the inheritance of the children of Israel shall not change hands from tribe to tribe, for every one of the children of Israel shall keep the inheritance of the tribe of his fathers." Again, the people of God who knew God's Law were able to ask valid questions and points which God affirmed as right. God gave another command which allowed the inheritance of Zelophehad to remain in the family and within the tribe. The women were given freedom to marry whom they thought best, but they were prohibited from marrying outside the tribe of Joseph. They had complete freedom of choice limited by God's sovereign will.
This is an important principle in dealing with areas of liberty in the Christian life, concerning things which are not plainly expressed in scripture. After being born again through faith in Jesus Christ the Holy Spirit dwells in us and guides us into all truth. We are granted freedom from sin and the legalistic requirements of the Law. At the same time, we are to do righteously according to God's Word and Christ's example. The Holy Spirit will never lead us to speak or behave in an unloving manner contrary to scripture. Since their father died the daughters of Zelophehad had the freedom before God to choose any man they thought best, but at the same time were limited to marrying from one tribe. God is not wrong or evil to place such restrictions upon our lives. "But what if they loved someone from another tribe?" some might ask. Even in matters of love and marriage, God's people who fear Him ought to submit to His holy Word. The same God who told His people, "Be holy for I am holy" says the same to us and if we obey our lives will be profoundly and positively impacted. Instead of complaining and pushing against God's boundaries, we can rejoice in His righteousness, gracious provision, and our freedom.
I believe God has given all people the right to choose, and as followers of Jesus Christ our choices should be limited to righteous ones. We naturally lack God's wisdom and therefore we need God's guidance. How glorious it would be for God to say of our words, "What you have spoken is right." We stand on solid footing when we choose God's way.
After the children of Israel entered the Promised Land, the five daughters of Zelophehad expressed concern the inheritance of their father's house would be lost because he did not bear any sons. Though the Law was detailed, it did not expressly say what should happen in their case. They boldly approached Moses so their situation could be addressed. They said in Numbers 27:4-7, "Why should the name of our father be removed from among his family because he had no son? Give us a possession among our father's brothers." 5 So Moses brought their case before the LORD. 6 And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying: 7 "The daughters of Zelophehad speak what is right; you shall surely give them a possession of inheritance among their father's brothers, and cause the inheritance of their father to pass to them." This interaction shows us the importance of seeking the LORD for wisdom and discernment in every situation, especially in cases that are not explicit in the Bible. Our "common sense" or past experience is insufficient. God affirmed the daughters of Zelophehad spoke rightly and He always judges righteously.
Later in the book of Numbers the head of the tribe of Joseph came before Moses with another pressing issue: if the inheritance was to be passed to the daughters of Zelophehad and they married men from other tribes, it would cause the tribe of Joseph to lose the inheritance given them by lot. The mind of God was shown to Moses and it is written in Numbers 36:5-7, "Then Moses commanded the children of Israel according to the word of the LORD, saying: "What the tribe of the sons of Joseph speaks is right. 6 "This is what the LORD commands concerning the daughters of Zelophehad, saying, 'Let them marry whom they think best, but they may marry only within the family of their father's tribe.' 7 So the inheritance of the children of Israel shall not change hands from tribe to tribe, for every one of the children of Israel shall keep the inheritance of the tribe of his fathers." Again, the people of God who knew God's Law were able to ask valid questions and points which God affirmed as right. God gave another command which allowed the inheritance of Zelophehad to remain in the family and within the tribe. The women were given freedom to marry whom they thought best, but they were prohibited from marrying outside the tribe of Joseph. They had complete freedom of choice limited by God's sovereign will.
This is an important principle in dealing with areas of liberty in the Christian life, concerning things which are not plainly expressed in scripture. After being born again through faith in Jesus Christ the Holy Spirit dwells in us and guides us into all truth. We are granted freedom from sin and the legalistic requirements of the Law. At the same time, we are to do righteously according to God's Word and Christ's example. The Holy Spirit will never lead us to speak or behave in an unloving manner contrary to scripture. Since their father died the daughters of Zelophehad had the freedom before God to choose any man they thought best, but at the same time were limited to marrying from one tribe. God is not wrong or evil to place such restrictions upon our lives. "But what if they loved someone from another tribe?" some might ask. Even in matters of love and marriage, God's people who fear Him ought to submit to His holy Word. The same God who told His people, "Be holy for I am holy" says the same to us and if we obey our lives will be profoundly and positively impacted. Instead of complaining and pushing against God's boundaries, we can rejoice in His righteousness, gracious provision, and our freedom.
I believe God has given all people the right to choose, and as followers of Jesus Christ our choices should be limited to righteous ones. We naturally lack God's wisdom and therefore we need God's guidance. How glorious it would be for God to say of our words, "What you have spoken is right." We stand on solid footing when we choose God's way.
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