Dave Burnette's Commentary

Numbers Chapter 27

Written By: God through Inspiration
Penned By: Moses
Date Penned: (1450-1410 BC)
Overview: A Record of A New Generation (c 27-36)
Theme: A Second Approach to the Promised Land (c 22-36)
Message: The Inheritance for Daughters (v 1-23)

Numbers 27 Commentary

(27:3-4) Standards for Inheritance - Up to this point, the Hebrew law gave sons alone the right to inherit. The daughters of Zelophehad, having no brothers, came to Moses to ask for their father's possessions. God then told Moses that if a man died without sons, his inheritance would indeed go to his daughters (27:8). But the daughters could keep it only if they married within their own tribe because that way the territorial lines would remain intact (36:5-12).

(27-3) A Natural Death - "Died in his own sin" means that he died a natural death. His death fell under the judgment of the entire nation for believing the faithless spies.

(27:15-21) Joshua is Appointed Leader - Moses asked God to appoint a leader for Israel who was capable of directing external and internal affairs- one who could lead them in battle but who would also care for their needs. The Lord responded by appointing Joshua. While some in authority are very capable of reaching their goals and others care deeply for the people in their charge, the best leaders are goal oriented and people oriented.

(27:15-21) Moses Prepares for Transition - Moses did not want to leave his work without making sure a new leader was ready to replace him. First, he asked God to help him find a replacement. Then, when Joshua was selected, Moses gave him some of his authority right away to ease the transition into his new position. Moses also clearly told the people that Joshua had the authority and the ability to lead the nation. His display of confidence in Joshua was good for Joshua and the people. To minimize leadership gaps, anyone in a leadership position should be training others to carry on the necessary duties should he or she suddenly or eventually have to leave. While you have the opportunity, follow Moses' pattern: pray, select, develop, and commission.


Dave Burnette's Life Application

Preparing the Way

Each day we walk through the Bible chapter by chapter making an application of our text to help us grow in the Lord. Many applications can be made from each day's text. Today we continue the book of Numbers with Chapter 27 and in today's text we see Moses preparing Joshua as the Lord instructs Moses that he will be giving over His place of leadership in the upcoming days. In making application we see the need for us to train others to take our place in Ministry. As Christians we all have a Ministry or service and we need to make preparations for when the Lord calls us home or when He calls us to another work. Seeing the need to continue the work we have a need to seek the the Lord to find others to continue His work as Moses did here with Joshua. How about you? Do you see the need to train others for your Ministry or Church? Let us learn from today's text a train others for the Lord's work, Preparing the way of the Lord. 

 

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Numbers 27

Numbers 27

 1Then 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.

 2And 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,

 3Our 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.

 4Why 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.

 5And Moses brought their cause before the LORD.

 6And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

 7The daughters of Zelophehad speak right: thou shalt surely give them a possession of an inheritance among their father's brethren; and thou shalt cause the inheritance of their father to pass unto them.

 8And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a man die, and have no son, then ye shall cause his inheritance to pass unto his daughter.

 9And if he have no daughter, then ye shall give his inheritance unto his brethren.

 10And if he have no brethren, then ye shall give his inheritance unto his father's brethren.

 11And if his father have no brethren, then ye shall give his inheritance unto his kinsman that is next to him of his family, and he shall possess it: and it shall be unto the children of Israel a statute of judgment, as the LORD commanded Moses.

 12And the LORD said unto Moses, Get thee up into this mount Abarim, and see the land which I have given unto the children of Israel.

 13And when thou hast seen it, thou also shalt be gathered unto thy people, as Aaron thy brother was gathered.

 14For ye rebelled against my commandment in the desert of Zin, in the strife of the congregation, to sanctify me at the water before their eyes: that is the water of Meribah in Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin.

 15And Moses spake unto the LORD, saying,

 16Let the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, set a man over the congregation,

 17Which may go out before them, and which may go in before them, and which may lead them out, and which may bring them in; that the congregation of the LORD be not as sheep which have no shepherd.

 18And the LORD said unto Moses, Take thee Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit, and lay thine hand upon him;

 19And set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation; and give him a charge in their sight.

 20And thou shalt put some of thine honour upon him, that all the congregation of the children of Israel may be obedient.

 21And he shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall ask counsel for him after the judgment of Urim before the LORD: at his word shall they go out, and at his word they shall come in, both he, and all the children of Israel with him, even all the congregation.

 22And Moses did as the LORD commanded him: and he took Joshua, and set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation:

 23And he laid his hands upon him, and gave him a charge, as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses.