“POSSESS YOUR INHERITANCE”!!

 TEXT: NUMBERS 27:1-4:  [Portrays Christ as “Our Lifted Up One”]!

·         Vs 1: Then came 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:  and these are the names of his daughters; Mahlah, Noah, and Hoglah, and Milcah, and Tirzah. 

·         Vs 2: And they stood before Moses, and before Eleazar the priest, and before the princes and all the congregation, by the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, saying,

·         Vs 3: Our father died in the wilderness, and he was not in the company of them that gathered themselves together against the LORD in the company of Korah:  but died in his own sin, and had no sons.

·         Vs 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.

God has already told us that “We are anointed”!  Then He said for us to “Increase the anointing”!  He also said that “Everything is alright”!  Now He’s saying to us, “Go get your inheritance”!

The Book of Numbers covers a period of thirty eight years of Israel wandering in the wilderness and their preparation for the conquest and settlement in the Promise Land, 

One aspect of this preparation involves two censuses.  The first one meant to gauge the nation’s military strength – and the second had a dual purpose:  gauge the nation’s military and a tool for land distribution.

Here they are at the entrance of the Promise Land when the second census was taken and only men were counted.  At this time the inheritance customs allowed only men to own property.  It was the male then, who is the central figure in preserving family continuity in name and in property.  Women had no property rights.  They were considered property themselves.   They had no voice.  They were “seen and not heard”.

 If a father died leaving no sons, daughters did not inherit what he left.  Property went to the surviving male relative.  Male dominance in society was so great both secular and religiously, a great difference between the status of men and women was visible in areas of life.  That same “Pharisaical spirit” is very much alive today in churches, as well as in the homes. 

Sadly, today in the church we still find those who persist in promoting disparity (a difference), in both perception and practice between men and women.  They will take a few biblical texts out of context and a few human traditions elevated to status of divine truths and use it to keep women in their place in the church.

Our text serves as a model for understanding God’s perception of rights and justice toward women.

Among the many rights challenges women faced was a lack of inheritance. 

Inheritance is from the Hebrew word nahalah, meaning specific allotment or entitlement (land that has continuity with the past and ties with a sacred heritage; property received upon the death of one’s parents).  It’s derived from nahal, meaning “possession”.

Numbers 27:1 traces the ancestry of Zelophehad to Manasseh and lists his daughters by names – Mahlah’, meaning sickness.  It goes to another word chalah’, meaning to be rubbed or worn; to be weak; sick; afflicted; to grieve; wounded; pray; entreat; sore; pain; infirmity.  Noah means to rest; rested; resting place.  Hoglah, is from choglah’meaning a partridge.   Milcah’, is from me’lek, meaning queen; royal; king.  Also from malak’, mean to reign; to ascend the throne; to induct into royalty; to take counsel.  Tirzah is from the root word tirshatha’, which is a title of Persian deputy or governor. 

This tells me there’s a revelation here to specifically list daughter’s names in a male dominant culture.  It showed the legitimacy of their claim to their father’s name and that they weren’t imposters. 

In truth, females has always had legitimate (legal; authorized; permitted; sanctioned; approved) rights to their Father’s property.  Psalm 24:1: The earth is the LORD’S and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.

In the beginning, when God created male in His image, after His likeness, He also created the female in His image, after His likeness.

·         Genesis 1:26: And God said, “Let us make man (aw-dawm’) in our image, after our likeness:  and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth.  Vs 27: So God created man (aw-dawm’) in his own image, in the image of God created he him:  male and female created he them.

This “man” (aw-dawm’) was a group of people, composed of male and female, and they both were named Adam.  Genesis 5:1: This is the book of the generations of Adam.  In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him:  vs 2: Male and female created he them, and blessed them, and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created.

·         Vs 28: And God blessed THEM, and God said unto THEM (male & female), “Be fruitful and multiply and replenish the earth, and subdue it:  and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moves upon the earth.”

Note that Zelophehad had no sons.  The absence of a male descendant from a family of the Exodus generation was a problem for inheritance rights, because women were provided for by brothers and husbands.  The fact no brother existed meant the loss of an Israelite family from one tribe.  It took the “daughter” qualities necessary for the tenacity, tact, courage, wisdom, and grace they needed to request/receive an inheritance for themselves.

Daughter throughout the Old Testament mostly is defined in Hebrew as bath, meaning a daughter; apple [of the eye]; branch; company. As feminine of bane it’s defined as a son (as builder of the family name). 

Remember in Christ a female can be a “male”, as well as a male can be a “female”, only from the spiritual standpoint.  When the “female” is giving out or ministering the Word of God to someone, that’s the “spiritual male” aspect of her, because she is giving out the “seed”, which is the Word of God (Luke 8:11).  Any male receiving the Word of God, that’s the “spiritual female” aspect of him, because he is taking in or receiving of the seed, which is the Word of God.  That explains also Galatians 3:28: There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female:  for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

We’re all classified as “sons” (male & female), in CHRIST’S body!

What did God tell Moses to tell Pharaoh?  (Exodus 4:18-31) [Moses returns to Egypt]: 

·         Vs 21: And the LORD said unto Moses, when thou go to return into Egypt, see that thou do all those wonders before Pharaoh, which I have put in thine hand:  but I will harden his heart, that he shall not let the people go.  Vs 22: And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, thus said the LORD, “Israel is my son, even my firstborn”:  vs 23: And I say unto thee, “Let my son go, that he may serve me:  and if thou refuse to let him go behold, I will slay thy son, even thy firstborn.”

The Israelites were a nation of people, composed of men women, boys and girls, but God called them His “son”.

Paul’s letter to the church at Galatia, “When the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law.  To redeem them that was under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.  And because you are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba Father.  Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son:  and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ” (Galatians 4:4-7). 

We know there were men and women in those churches then, just as the body of Christ is made up today of both male and female, yet we are all one body, in Christ Jesus!!

·         1^st Corinthians 12:12: For as the body is one, and hath many members and all the members of that one body, being many is one body:  so also is CHRIST.  Vs 13: For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free, and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

Look at how God stepped into history and made dramatic changes as the Israelites prepared for entrance into the Promise Land.

First census:  family ancestry, named six that were not clan or tribal leaders:  Zelophehad; Hepher; Gilead; Machir; Manassah; Joseph; and five that were “not men” but “daughters”.  Joseph is the seventh tribe.

Second Census:  not only is Joseph listed the seventh tribe but there are seven generations listed.  Scripturally, seven is important.  This is the only tribe for which this is done.  Zelophehad is not a clan leader and therefore shouldn’t be listed, but he is listed as the sixth generation and his “daughters” (listed by name) are counted as the seven generation.

Structurally, this setup put these daughters in the right position for success and to get their inheritance.  We can see that it’s time for a change.

We all know significant change no matter how much it may be needed, rarely come easy.  We have a tendency to cherish our cozy comfort zones, and don’t take kindly to calls and challenges to come forth and embrace change.  Even though such change may be in our best interest, we still tend to resist, especially, true when it pertain to religious traditions.

Their position was a setup.  Seven is “perfection or completeness”.  It’s a state of consciousness completely free from any shadow of negation (contradiction or denial of something; the absence or opposite of something actual or positive).  In other words, these women didn’t harbor any negative thoughts, only good flowed into every department of their life. 

·         Matthew 5:48: Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.

Even their names make a statement.  They all have “AH” in their names, indicating “Jehovah”, the self-Existent One; the Eternal, the “I AM” God.  These women were fully inspired by God’s Spirit.  It doesn’t matter what order their names are listed they are viewed as equal.

There are three factors that played significant roles in these women’s success in influencing legal change in their society.

·         They understood their covenant (contract; bond; relationship with God) status.  They knew who they were spiritually and whose they were.  While other women of their time spent time in their tents like prisoners in polygamy households, but these ladies spent time outside their tents.  They were curious and had a zest for life.  They refused to be confined by the limitations of their culture.  They thought differently from other women of that era.  Their father had no sons and they (his daughters) recognized the value of his daughters.  He was generous with his affections and instilled in them a powerful sense of personal destiny.  I’m sure he spent time with them telling stories about the Exodus from Egypt.  As they blossomed into women, their confidence grew.  They must have started talking amongst themselves about the problem with patriarchy (system of society/government) wherein the father or eldest male is head of the family and descent is traced through the male line.  Men held the power and women were left out.

·         These women were from a new generation.  They began asking the forbidden questions – Why can’t women have privileges around here?  Why can’t we own land?  Why can’t we get an inheritance when we cross Jordan?  They were God ordained trouble makers!  They would soon make history!

·         Their father died in the wilderness and they’re faced with a devastating fact, “their father’s inheritance is hanging in the balance”!  If they don’t get it, it would deprive them of livelihood; their father’s name blotted out of the family line and out of tradition; a male relative, next of kin would acquire an unfair addition to the estate.  These daughters were up in arms and wasn’t about to have it.  They knew they had to make a bold move.

·         Their mentality level was at an all-time high.  “I can do all things through Christ”!  They had a “go get it” attitude!  They were like “Mighty Mouse” – he had courage – he believed he could handle any situation that got in his way.  He was small in stature, but large in his outlook on how to handle a crisis.  He didn’t rely on his physical abilities he relied on his supernatural abilities.  That’s how God works.  He doesn’t want us to rely on our ability/strength, but on His supernatural power!

·         God was just waiting for somebody brave enough, somebody who would stomp on fear and no matter the culture, no matter the number of men, He just wanted someone to go to “city hall” and get their inheritance.  That’s what these women did.

I believe this story was recorded so women can see that we do have a special place in God’s heart.  We are entitled to the Promise Land just like the males.  We have to muster the courage to stand up for our rights.

They knew who they were.  They had a relationship with God.  They stepped out in faith; forsaking all; saying, I trust Him; I’m not looking for any other source; I’m not depending on anybody human:  they put their hope and trust in God only!

They knew that “knowledge is power”!  They familiarized themselves regarding Laws of inheritance and current Law was inadequate, for it didn’t account for unusual circumstances of a man without sons.

They knew the Law stated that the son is the only means through which the father will ensure the continuity of his “name”.  They also knew, their disinheritance from the land struck at the heart of the Abrahamic Covenant, that promised Abraham and his descendants not only land, but continuing relationship with God:

·         Genesis 15:18: In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, “Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates”: 

·         Genesis 17:7: And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.

The land of Canaan was a divine entitlement for Israel as a people.  Those who had a portion would enjoy a place in God’s land:

·         Joshua 22:25: For the LORD hath made Jordan a border between us and you, ye children of Reuben and children of Gad; ye have no part in the LORD:  so shall your children make our children cease from fearing the LORD.

They also knew that faith in God’s promises and obedience to God’s commands would bring the blessings.  By right they remained heirs of the covenantal promises symbolic by the land.

After a judicial divine review of the legal provision:  these sisters banded together:  keep in mind they hadn’t yet entered the Promise Land.  They were “standing on the “promise” that God said and they believed it.  Oh what great faith!

They were going to take this thing to court.  Honoring their father who was dear and precious to them, and now he was gone.  This was a debt owed in memory of their parents.  The fifth commandment, “Honor thy father and thy mother”.

They had a “collective voice”:  they stood together to plead their father’s case.  They filed one of the earliest reported “lawsuits” on record!

Can you imagine them marching through the crowd of men to get to the tent of meeting.  A place where women couldn’t go, something women just didn’t do – “ask for land”.  Something only owned by men according to tradition ---and also to go “without being called”.

Aristotle said, “Criticism is something you can easily avoid by saying nothing, doing nothing and being nothing”.  These sisters did not waiver!

Keep in mind they hadn’t yet entered the promise land.  They were standing on the promise of what God said and they believed it.  Oh what great faith!  They believed they had it before they saw it!  That’s dynamic faith – walking out on nothing knowing something is there!    They involved the “whole-man” – mind, emotions, and the will!  They could walk the walk and talk the talk!

They spoke to Moses with authority regarding their father’s honor.  “Why should the name of our father be removed from among his family because he had no sons”?  “Give us a possession among our father’s brothers”.

This took intestinal fortitude. These women were walking in mustard seed faith.  Fear is usually the first obstacle on the scene to block you.  Faith is the opposite of fear, it conquers fear! 

Their father’s name Zelophehad means “protection from fear”.

That’s why Jesus said to the disciples again and again, “Fear not, fear not, but believe”. He has spoken to us several occasions “Do not be afraid.  I can’t use no coward soldier”.

These women were not cowards. They were wise, interpreters, God fearing, faith walkers, and faith talkers.

They wanted their inheritance.  Can you imagine the reaction of the crowd?  I’m sure they were silent and waiting in expectation.  They had witnessed what happened to Korah and his group when they challenged Moses (Numbers 16).

Think about it, it wasn’t just coming before the crowd that made what they did daring, it’s that they were going against “tradition”.  Tradition and custom of the land was that women didn’t approach leaders in this way.  Only males could inherit property.

It took determination (firmness of purpose; fixed aim).  A mind-set that says “I won’t quit”!

How many has been in a situation that all signs said “no entry” or “according to our rule” – “we can’t allow you to do this or that”?  God is the ultimate Law Maker.  He can over-ride man’s law. 

You stand back and say “It won’t hurt to ask”.  Many times, I believe God has already made provision for that very situation.  God just want you to believe and trust Him!

They made a “none violent approach”:

·         Your approach matters.  They didn’t protest with signs, nor were they screaming, finger pointing, nor head wringing.  They stood firm, unwavering in their faith.

·          They educated themselves on the law of inheritance.

Guess what, to everyone’s surprise, after hearing their case, Moses stated, “I’m going to take it to God”.  Tell me, “is that wisdom”?  He could’ve ignored their request based simply on the fact that they were women.  He could’ve said, “I need to discuss this case among the deacons”. He could’ve said, “According to tradition”.  That’s one of Satan’s greatest weapons for opposing growth and progress in the church.  There was no law that denied them their inheritance it was custom trying to hold the key.

They came to Moses relying on a promise based on grace.  There were five daughters, and five is the number of “grace”.  It will make space for the left out and the locked out.

After all was said and done, Moses returned the verdict with a favorable report from God.

God’s answer did three things:

·         Found women were justified in their request: (Galatians 3:28): In Christ there’s neither Jew nor Greek (Gentile), bond nor free, male nor female.  Through God’s eyes, “we are all one”!

·         Told Moses to give them their father’s land so his name wouldn’t be lost - additionally, it’s given as an inheritance.  They not only received a piece of land, but they are allowed to give the land to their offspring as an inheritance.

·         God makes this decree a Law for securing the same rights for other women through all generations. 

I dare you to “go get your inheritance”!  I dare you to stand against tradition!  I dare you to believe God!  I dare you to activate your faith! 

The faith of these five women was double acting.  Have you ever looked at the label on a can of baking powder?  It has the words “DOUBLE ACTING”.  Meaning, its use is to increase in volume, it’s “DOUBLE ACTING”!  That’s the way faith is when activated.

I believe God is calling women today to allow their faith to increase in “volume”!  That’s because it not only acts in you, but it acts in others.  It stimulates others.

I believe God is calling women of faith to arise and claim or “go get their inheritance”.  He’s looking for women with an “apostolic spirit” – women whose burden for souls weigh so heavy they can’t rest until the earth is filled with His glory!  It’s time to stand up and speak up and not be afraid. For if God be for us, tell me who can be against us!

It’s time for women to shake loose from the trapping of religious culture and step into their full potential.

With God backing us, why not “go get our inheritance”?

What is our inheritance today?  All that God has to offer:  divine health; wealth; perfect peace; eternal life; wisdom; knowledge; understanding; happiness, power; dominion; authority, all in the Holy Ghost! 

It’s rightfully yours!!!  “GO GET YOUR INHERITANCE”!!!

Evangelist Brenda Hansley