Chapter 27

Provisions for Inheritance

1. THE INHERITANCE OF PROPERTY (Numbers 27:1-11 [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. [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, [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. [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. [5] And Moses brought their cause before the LORD. [6] And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, [7] The 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. [8] And 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. [9] And if he have no daughter, then ye shall give his inheritance unto his brethren. [10] And if he have no brethren, then ye shall give his inheritance unto his father's brethren. [11] And 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.
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1. A Problem of Inheritance (Numbers 27:1-5 [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. [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, [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. [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. [5] And Moses brought their cause before the LORD.
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1. The daughters of Zelophehad approach Moses (Numbers 27:1-2 [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. [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,
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2. The problem stated (Numbers 27:3-4 [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. [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.
   See All...)
1. Our father died in the wilderness (Numbers 27:3Our 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.
   See All...).
2. He was not with Korah (Numbers 27:3Our 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.
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3. He died in his own sin (Numbers 27:3Our 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.
   See All...).
4. He had no sons (Numbers 27:3Our 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.
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5. Why should the name of our father be done away? (Numbers 27:4Why 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.
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6. Give unto us a possession (Numbers 27:4Why 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.
   See All...).
7. The zeal of these women
1. The possible removal of their father’s landmarks (Proverbs 22:28Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set.
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2. Fighting for things that were rightfully theirs
3. Moses took the problem to the Lord (Numbers 27:5And Moses brought their cause before the LORD.
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2. The Lord Gives Rules Concerning Inheritance (Numbers 27:6-11 [6] And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, [7] The 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. [8] And 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. [9] And if he have no daughter, then ye shall give his inheritance unto his brethren. [10] And if he have no brethren, then ye shall give his inheritance unto his father's brethren. [11] And 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.
   See All...)
1. The case of the daughters of Zelophehad (Numbers 27:6-7 [6] And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, [7] The 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.
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1. The daughters of Zelophehad speak right (Numbers 26:7These are the families of the Reubenites: and they that were numbered of them were forty and three thousand and seven hundred and thirty.
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2. Thou shalt give them a possession (Numbers 26:7These are the families of the Reubenites: and they that were numbered of them were forty and three thousand and seven hundred and thirty.
   See All...; Galatians 3:28There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
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3. Thou shalt cause the inheritance of their father to pass unto them (Numbers 26:7These are the families of the Reubenites: and they that were numbered of them were forty and three thousand and seven hundred and thirty.
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2. The order of inheritance (Numbers 27:8-11 [8] And 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. [9] And if he have no daughter, then ye shall give his inheritance unto his brethren. [10] And if he have no brethren, then ye shall give his inheritance unto his father's brethren. [11] And 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.
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1. The inheritance would first pass unto the sons (Numbers 27:3Our 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.
   See All..., 8).
2. If a man has no son (Numbers 27:8And 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.
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3. If a man has no daughters (Numbers 27:9And if he have no daughter, then ye shall give his inheritance unto his brethren.
   See All...)
4. If a man has no brethren (Numbers 27:10And if he have no brethren, then ye shall give his inheritance unto his father's brethren.
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5. If a man’s father has no brethren (Numbers 27:11And 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.
   See All...)
6. This shall be a statute of judgment for the children of Israel (Numbers 27:11And 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.
   See All...).
2. THE INHERITANCE OF POSITION (Numbers 27:12-23 [12] And 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. [13] And when thou hast seen it, thou also shalt be gathered unto thy people, as Aaron thy brother was gathered. [14] For 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. [15] And Moses spake unto the LORD, saying, [16] Let the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, set a man over the congregation, [17] Which 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. [18] And 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; [19] And set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation; and give him a charge in their sight. [20] And thou shalt put some of thine honour upon him, that all the congregation of the children of Israel may be obedient. [21] And 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. [22] And Moses did as the LORD commanded him: and he took Joshua, and set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation: [23] And he laid his hands upon him, and gave him a charge, as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses.
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1. The Preparation of the Man of God for His Departure (Numbers 27:12-14 [12] And 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. [13] And when thou hast seen it, thou also shalt be gathered unto thy people, as Aaron thy brother was gathered. [14] For 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.
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1. Moses to view the land (Numbers 27:12And 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.
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1. From Mount Abarim
2. This is the same as Mount Pisgah (Deuteronomy 3:27Get thee up into the top of Pisgah, and lift up thine eyes westward, and northward, and southward, and eastward, and behold it with thine eyes: for thou shalt not go over this Jordan.
   See All...; Deuteronomy 32:49-51 [49] Get thee up into this mountain Abarim, unto mount Nebo, which is in the land of Moab, that is over against Jericho; and behold the land of Canaan, which I give unto the children of Israel for a possession: [50] And die in the mount whither thou goest up, and be gathered unto thy people; as Aaron thy brother died in mount Hor, and was gathered unto his people: [51] Because ye trespassed against me among the children of Israel at the waters of MeribahKadesh, in the wilderness of Zin; because ye sanctified me not in the midst of the children of Israel.
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3. This viewing is a gift from the Lord to the man of God.
1. Moses viewing the land (Deuteronomy 3:23-27 [23] And I besought the LORD at that time, saying, [24] O Lord GOD, thou hast begun to shew thy servant thy greatness, and thy mighty hand: for what God is there in heaven or in earth, that can do according to thy works, and according to thy might? [25] I pray thee, let me go over, and see the good land that is beyond Jordan, that goodly mountain, and Lebanon. [26] But the LORD was wroth with me for your sakes, and would not hear me: and the LORD said unto me, Let it suffice thee; speak no more unto me of this matter. [27] Get thee up into the top of Pisgah, and lift up thine eyes westward, and northward, and southward, and eastward, and behold it with thine eyes: for thou shalt not go over this Jordan.
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2. Israel seeing Joseph alive (Genesis 46:28-30 [28] And he sent Judah before him unto Joseph, to direct his face unto Goshen; and they came into the land of Goshen. [29] And Joseph made ready his chariot, and went up to meet Israel his father, to Goshen, and presented himself unto him; and he fell on his neck, and wept on his neck a good while. [30] And Israel said unto Joseph, Now let me die, since I have seen thy face, because thou art yet alive.
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3. Simeon holding the Lord (Luke 2:25-33 [25] And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. [26] And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ. [27] And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, [28] Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, [29] Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: [30] For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, [31] Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; [32] A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. [33] And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.
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2. Moses to be gathered unto his people (Numbers 27:13And when thou hast seen it, thou also shalt be gathered unto thy people, as Aaron thy brother was gathered.
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1. After viewing the land
2. Passing as did his brother Aaron
3. The reason for Moses’ departure (Numbers 27:14For 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.
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1. Rebellion against the Lord’s commandment
2. Failure to sanctify the Lord at the water before the eyes of the children of Israel
2. The Preparation of the Man of God for His Flock (Numbers 27:15-17 [15] And Moses spake unto the LORD, saying, [16] Let the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, set a man over the congregation, [17] Which 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.
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1. Moses petitions the Lord (Numbers 27:15-16 [15] And Moses spake unto the LORD, saying, [16] Let the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, set a man over the congregation,
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1. Let the LORD
2. The God of the spirits of all flesh
2. Moses asks the Lord to set a man over the congregation (Numbers 27:17Which 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.
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1. Moses’ request follows the news of his own departure.
2. Moses asks the Lord to set a man over the congregation.
1. Which may go out before them
2. Which may go in before them
3. Which may lead them out
4. Which may bring them in
5. That the congregation of the Lord be not as sheep having no shepherd
3. The Preparation of the Man of God for His Successor (Numbers 27:18-23 [18] And 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; [19] And set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation; and give him a charge in their sight. [20] And thou shalt put some of thine honour upon him, that all the congregation of the children of Israel may be obedient. [21] And 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. [22] And Moses did as the LORD commanded him: and he took Joshua, and set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation: [23] And he laid his hands upon him, and gave him a charge, as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses.
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1. The call of his successor (Numbers 27:18And 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;
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1. Revealed to Moses
2. Called by name
1. Joshua
2. The son of Nun
3. A man in whom is the spirit.
1. We commonly think of the Spirit coming upon men in the Old Testament.
2. Apparently Joshua was a man who experienced the indwelling of the Spirit in some way.
2. The charge of his successor (Numbers 27:18-20 [18] And 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; [19] And set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation; and give him a charge in their sight. [20] And thou shalt put some of thine honour upon him, that all the congregation of the children of Israel may be obedient.
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1. Lay thine hand upon him (Numbers 27:18And 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;
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2. Set him before Eleazar the priest and all the congregation (Numbers 27:19And set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation; and give him a charge in their sight.
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3. Give him a charge in their sight (Numbers 27:19And set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation; and give him a charge in their sight.
   See All...; 2 Timothy 4:1-8 [1] I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; [2] Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. [3] For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; [4] And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. [5] But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. [6] For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. [7] I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: [8] Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
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4. Thou shalt put some of thine honour upon him (Numbers 27:20And thou shalt put some of thine honour upon him, that all the congregation of the children of Israel may be obedient.
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5. That the congregation may be obedient (Numbers 27:20And thou shalt put some of thine honour upon him, that all the congregation of the children of Israel may be obedient.
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3. The commission of his successor (Numbers 27:21And 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.
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1. He shall stand before Eleazar the priest.
2. Eleazar shall ask counsel for Joshua before the Lord.
1. This seems to indicate that Joshua would go to the Lord through the priest.
2. Moses was not so.
3. At his word shall they go out and come in.
1. The “his word” could be Joshua.
2. The “his word” could be Eleazar.
3. The “his word” most likely refers to the Lord.
4. The completion of the charge (Numbers 27:22-23 [22] And Moses did as the LORD commanded him: and he took Joshua, and set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation: [23] And he laid his hands upon him, and gave him a charge, as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses.
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