Numbers

Numbers 36: God keeps His people’s inheritance

Begin in prayer

Before hearing how God guarded the inheritance of His people, let us ask Him to teach us willing obedience. Please pray that we will value His care and look to Jesus for a lasting place with Him.

He will bless those who fear Yahweh, both small and great.

Psalm 115:13

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Teach us to value Your gifts and obey Your word, and show us the inheritance Jesus secures for His people. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

The leaders of Manasseh come to Moses about the inheritance promised to Zelophehad’s daughters. They explain that marriage into another tribe would transfer the land away from their father’s tribe, even at the Jubilee. God says their concern is right and gives a command through Moses. The daughters may marry whom they think best, within the family of their father’s tribe. Every daughter holding an inheritance must marry within her father’s tribal family, so each tribe keeps its share. Zelophehad’s daughters obey and marry their father’s brothers’ sons, keeping their inheritance within Manasseh.

As you read Numbers 36, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

God guards His people’s inheritance and teaches them to obey His good command.

The daughters of Zelophehad will receive their father’s land, and the leaders of Manasseh bring a concern to Moses. Marriage into another tribe would carry that land away from their father’s tribe. Even the Jubilee would not bring it back, because this would be an inherited share rather than land sold. God protects the daughters’ inheritance and the tribe’s share together. They may choose whom they think best, within the family of their father’s tribe. His command gives a clear boundary, and they obey by marrying their father’s brothers’ sons.

How does Numbers 36 show us that God guards His people’s inheritance and teaches them to obey His good command?

God protects the inheritance He has given His people.

The tribe’s leaders bring their concern openly to Moses. God upholds the daughters’ right to inherit, while guarding the share He has given their tribe. Both belong under His care, so neither gift must be lost through the other.

God gives His people choices within His good command.

The daughters may marry whom they think best within their father’s tribal family. God’s command protects the inheritance while leaving them a choice. Please learn to receive the freedom He gives within the boundaries He sets.

God’s people honour His gift by obeying His word.

The daughters do as the Lord commands Moses. Their marriages keep the inheritance within Manasseh, as God directs. Their obedience shows us how to receive His care, listening to His word and doing what He says.

Memorise

So shall no inheritance move from one tribe to another tribe; for the tribes of the children of Israel shall each keep his own inheritance.’”

Numbers 36:9

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, what gift am I seeking more than the inheritance Jesus gives?

God says that Israel’s tribes shall “each keep his own inheritance”. He guards the gift He has promised, and Zelophehad’s daughters obey His command. The land must remain within the tribe that receives it.

Our sin leaves us with no claim to a place with God. Jesus died for His people, bearing their guilt and punishment on the cross. He rose from the dead, having finished the saving work that is fully sufficient for their welcome. First Peter 1 verses 3 and 4 speaks of God giving new birth and an unfading inheritance through Jesus’ resurrection.

So turn from your sin and come to Jesus for mercy. Those who trust Him receive forgiveness and a lasting inheritance that God keeps for them. Please ask Him for the new heart that values His promise. The risen Savior can bring you into the life you cannot earn for yourself.

Parent's note

Tell your children that God guards His gifts, and only Jesus can give sinners an inheritance that lasts. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God for guarding His gifts and securing an inheritance through Jesus, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

Then the King will tell those on his right hand, ‘Come, blessed of my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world;

Matthew 25:34

Father, thank You for caring for Your people and guarding the gifts You give. Please turn our hearts from sin and teach each of us to trust Jesus for forgiveness. Give us willing obedience to Your word and hope in the inheritance He has secured. Help us value Your promise above the things we can hold today. Amen.