Tag Archive | Daughters inherit

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 65

Mar6
Day 65.  Reading Numbers 26-27. 
 

Read today’s scripture.

What do you learn about God’s goodness?

Who can you share that with today?

Numbers 26.

God called Moses to count the people again after all those years of discipline in the wilderness. He was to take a census of all the men 20 years and older who could go to war. So Moses and High Priest Eleazar got to work. How did it compare with the list at the beginning of Numbers? Here’s how.

  • Two Census    OLD        NEW
  1. Reuben – – – 46,500 – – 43,730
  2. Simeon – – – 59,300 – – 22,200
  3. Gad – – – – –  45,650 – – 40,500
  4. Judah – – – – 74,600 – – 76,500 
  5. Issachar – – -54,400 – – 64,300
  6. Zebulun – – -57,400 – – 60,500
  7. Ephraim – –  40,500 – – 32,500
  8. Manasseh –  32,200 – – 52,700
  9. Benjamin – – 35,400 – – 45,600
  10. Dan – – – – –  62,700 – – 64,400
  11. Asher – – – –  41,500 – – 53,400
  12. Naphtali –  – 53,400 – – 45,400
  • TOTAL – – –  603,550 – 601,730  (1,870 fewer)
  • Levites, 1 month or older – 22,000 – 23,000  (1,000 more)

These were the people of Israel who were listed in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho. But among them, there was NOT ONE of those listed at Sinai, for the LORD had said of them, “They shall die in the wilderness.” Not one of them was left except Caleb and Joshua.

Numbers 27.

As the people were preparing to enter the Promised Land, this census would also determine the size of the plots of land they would inherit. Larger tribes, like Judah, would inherit larger parcels, whereas smaller tribes, like Simeon, would inherit smaller portions. (Simeon’s people actually ended up merging into Judah.)

Then, an unusual situation arose. Some daughters from Manasseh came to Moses with a question. “In our father’s clan there are no sons. Does that mean his line gets no inheritance in the Land?  Can WE replace the sons and inherit?

Moses went to God with the question. 

The LORD gave Moses a surprising and righteous answer. “The daughters of Zelophehad are right. You shall give them possession of an inheritance among their father’s brothers and transfer the inheritance of their father to them.”

Furthermore, the LORD told Moses to make that LAW for future generations where sons were unavailable.

THEN THE WORDS OF GOD THAT MOSES WAS DREADING. 

“Go up into this mountain and see the land I have given to the people of Israel. When you have seen it, you also shall die as your brother Aaron….because you rebelled against my word in the wilderness of Zin when the congregation quarreled, FAILING TO UPHOLD ME AS HOLY BEFORE THEIR EYES at the waters.”

Not in this passage, but later, Moses will ask God for a reprieve. NOW, however, he is concerned that someone is chosen to lead Israel after he’s gone. 

The LORD agreed and told him to “take Joshua the son of Noon (that’s how it’s pronounced), a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay your hand on him. Make him stand before Eleazar the priest and all the congregation, and you shall commission him in their sight, that the congregation of the people of Israel may obey.”  Eleazar, also in the presence of the congregation, was to use the Urim before the LORD to solidify the appointment and then lay his hands on him to commission him as leader after Moses.

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Things are winding down for Moses. Soon, his 40-year job will be finished, and he can retire to Heaven. We still need to read through 9 chapters in Numbers and Deuteronomy, the SECOND review of the law, some new and old happenings before the death, and the final eulogy for Moses, and Joshua’s taking over. (Sigh.)