Numbers 36 – Living a life that last

Numbers 27:1-11 described the account of the five daughters of Zelophehad approaching Moses to seek an inheritance for their father who died without a male heir. Admitting that while their father was a sinner who died in the wilderness, he however did not join in Korah’s rebellion against the leadership. And as a descendant of Israel, his daughters,  Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah, felt that their father was eligible to a portion of the inheritance among his brothers. Just because he had no son, they felt that his claim to a portion of the land should not be forfeited. As his daughters, instead of bearing their disadvantage silently and turn bitter about their circumstances, they chose to approach Moses. So they came to him to claim an inheritance for their dead father.  Moses after consulting with the Lord concurred with them and felt they had the right to their father’s portion. Numbers 36 now picked up where the account left off.

The tribe of Manasseh was concerned about Zelophehad’s inheritance being acquired by another tribe should his daughters, having been granted their father’s inheritance, married someone from another tribe. So they approached Moses to discuss the matter.  Having consulted the Lord, Moses' response was for the daughters to have the right to marry whomever they chose, but their husbands must be from within the tribe of Manasseh. This would not complicate the land distribution. Numbers 36:10-12 leave us something encouraging about the daughters of Zelophehad. They chose to walk in obedience to the Lord. So they chose to marry someone from their tribe and not complicate the issue.

What stands out for the daughters of Zelophehad was their choice to live in obedience to the command of God. They were unlike their fathers who chose to pander to their own carnal desire and joined themselves to the women of Moab. In so doing they had shown how nonchalant they were in preserving the heritage of their faith. They would not mind compromising their position to satisfy their basal desire. Whereas the daughters of Zelophehad were of a different class and category. They showed they understood that choosing to do otherwise would have implications on their inheritance.

For us, Zelophehad’s daughters had left us with a legacy of what it means to make God the pre-eminence in everything in our lives. Like them, we need to live our lives in accordance with the profession of the faith we have in God. We must seek to live our lives fully considering God and Jesus Christ our Lord. Any decision we make for Christ will impact not only our lives but also that of others watching us. It is fitting for us to close this book with the fitting words of Charles Thomas Studd, the English Missionary. 

Two little lines I heard one day,
Traveling along life’s busy way;
Bringing conviction to my heart,
And from my mind would not depart;
Only one life, twill soon be past,

Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one,
Soon will its fleeting hours be done;
Then, in ‘that day’ my Lord to meet,
And stand before His Judgement seat;
Only one life,’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, the still small voice,
Gently pleads for a better choice
Bidding me selfish aims to leave,
And to God’s holy will to cleave;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, a few brief years,
Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;
Each with its clays I must fulfill,
living for self or in His will;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

When this bright world would tempt me sore,
When Satan would a victory score;
When self would seek to have its way,
Then help me Lord with joy to say;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Give me Father, a purpose deep,
In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;
Faithful and true what e’er the strife,
Pleasing Thee in my daily life;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Oh let my love with fervor burn,
And from the world now let me turn;
Living for Thee, and Thee alone,
Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;
Only one life, “twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one,
Now let me say,”Thy will be done”;
And when at last I’ll hear the call,
I know I’ll say “twas worth it all”;
Only one life,’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
And when I am dying, how happy I’ll be,
If the lamp of my life has been burned out for Thee.