What Are You Allowing to Stop You From Your Inheritance?
Perseverance, wisdom, and knowledge prevail against all odds. Joshua 17
Once again tucked in the midst of the mapping out of the land of Israel is a story that both admonishes and encourages us all.
Now Zelophehad son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Makir, the son of Manasseh, had no sons but only daughters, whose names were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milkah and Tirzah. They went to Eleazar the priest, Joshua son of Nun, and the leaders and said, “The Lord commanded Moses to give us an inheritance among our relatives.” So Joshua gave them an inheritance along with the brothers of their father, according to the Lord’s command. Manasseh’s share consisted of ten tracts of land besides Gilead and Bashan east of the Jordan, because the daughters of the tribe of Manasseh received an inheritance among the sons. The land of Gilead belonged to the rest of the descendants of Manasseh. Joshua 17:3–6
There is a lesson here that could easily be overlooked! Many could read this and say that it is nice the daughters got their father’s inheritance. Others would say “proper thing.” Yes, I agree.
These girls obviously knew the word of the Lord and the promise that belonged to them.
Do we know the Lord’s promises to us? Can we stand firm in them in the face of adversity or plead our case with authority based on them?
Girls were not required to study the Word. These were well-trained girls. There is no way of knowing for sure but I think with the absence of sons their father spent time teaching them the Word of the Lord and preparing them to be able to take care of themselves.
They were not simply the ones who cared for the home and men but also articulated the Word. They were to be submissive. I think this story shows that they were meek, which is strength under control. They came to the authority armed with the truth and presented it to Joshua in such a way that they were allowed an audience, and their petition was granted.
The Word doesn’t give us many details about this encounter but the little bit I know about the culture of the day says that they would have had to be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.
One wrong word or move and they could have been dismissed and lost their inheritance. Even though the promise was theirs, they had to make a case before the leader.
They knew the promise, the land belonged to them, they knew that. It was theirs to claim it.
They had the knowledge and the gifts to go get it, and obviously from the story the courage.
I can imagine them huddled together going in to see Joshua and the people on the street whispering and some may even have discouraged them. Yet they persevered to claim the promise God had for them.
Let us reflect on our own lives. Do we know the Word of God for us? Do we know His promises? Are we activating ourselves and our gifts in order to gain access to those promises? Are we praying for the wisdom and the guidance of the Holy Spirit daily to be what we ought to be, as we carry out our many duties in our lives?
Such a small detail in the whole of the Bible, yet a powerful story not just for women but for everyone.
I am so thankful that God left yet another nugget for us to find in His Word, it both encourages and challenges us to move forward in our faith.
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