Today’s passage: Numbers 27
Helpful thoughts:
- The daughters of Zelophehad were mentioned specifically in the last chapter (In the census) without specific reasoning given. Chapter 27 tells us why. There was no one in their family left to inherit their portion of the Promised Land, so they made an appeal.
- God used their appeal to reveal to the people His plan for distributing and maintaining the inheritance of the land throughout their generations.
- The time had come for Moses to physically die. He would not lead Israel into the Promised Land.
- When Moses struck the rock twice (When God had commanded him to only speak – 20:10-13) he failed to uphold God as holy before the people.
- Joshua would succeed Moses as leader. But the Lord would not speak to Joshua as he had with Moses.
Questions to consider:
- How was the faith of the daughters of Zelophehad displayed? Had Israel conquered the land as of yet? Did they take matters into their own hands or did they make proper appeal?
- What can we learn about leadership from Moses’ request to God for a new leader for Israel? What was Moses’ concern for the people? Is leadership about power or being “top dog” or…something else?
- What does the death of Moses and the his inability to go into the Promised Land remind us of concerning him? Was he a perfect man? Did Israel make it through the wilderness because Moses was their hero? Whose faithfulness brought about Israel’s victory and inheritance? How does this relate to the gospel and our salvation?