Matthew Henry Commentary Numbers 27
Matthew Henry Commentary
Numbers 27
Matthew Henry Commentary
Numbers 27
"Then drew near 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. And they stood before Moses, and before Eleazar the priest, and before the princes and all the congregation, at the door of the tent of meeting, saying, Our father died in the wilderness, and he was not among the company of them that gathered themselves together against Jehovah in the company of Korah: but he died in his own sin; and he had no sons. Why should the name of our father be taken away from among his family, because he had no son? Give unto us a possession among the brethren of our father. And Moses brought their cause before Jehovah. And Jehovah spake unto Moses, saying, 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. 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. And if he have no daughter, then ye shall give his inheritance unto his brethren. And if he have no brethren, then ye shall give his inheritance unto his father`s brethren. 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 [and] ordinance, as Jehovah commanded Moses." — Numbers 27:1-11 (ASV)
The five daughters of Zelophehad considered themselves left destitute, having neither father nor brother to inherit any land. Their believing expectation that the word of the Lord would be performed at the proper time, their desire for an interest in the promised inheritance, and the modest, candid manner in which they asked—without secret murmurs or discontents—are a good example. They asked for a possession in the land of Canaan. In this, they showed:
- Strong faith in the power and promise of God concerning the giving of the land of Canaan to Israel.
- An earnest desire for a place and name in the land of promise, which was a type of heaven.
- Respect and honour for their father, whose name was dear to them now that he was gone. He had never done anything that might bar his children's claim.
It is a comfort to parents as they approach death if, although they have suffered for their own sin, they are not conscious of any of those iniquities that God will visit upon their children. God Himself gives judgment. He takes notice of the affairs not only of nations but also of private families, and orders them according to His will. The petition is granted. Those who seek an inheritance in the land of promise will have what they seek, and other things will be added to them.
"And Jehovah said unto Moses, Get thee up into this mountain of Abarim, and behold the land which I have given unto the children of Israel. And when thou hast seen it, thou also shalt be gathered unto thy people, as Aaron thy brother was gathered; because ye rebelled against my word in the wilderness of Zin, in the strife of the congregation, to sanctify me at the waters before their eyes. (These are the waters of Meribah of Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin.)" — Numbers 27:12-14 (ASV)
Moses must die, but he will have the satisfaction of seeing the land of promise. This sight of Canaan signified his believing prospect of the better country, that is, the heavenly. Moses must die, but death does not cut him off; it only brings him to rest with the holy patriarchs. It is only to die as they died, having lived as they lived; and as their end was peace, why should we fear any evil in the passage of that dark valley? (Numbers 27:15–23)
"And Moses spake unto Jehovah, saying, Let Jehovah, the God of the spirits of all flesh, appoint a man over the congregation, who may go out before them, and who may come in before them, and who may lead them out, and who may bring them in; that the congregation of Jehovah be not as sheep which have no shepherd. And Jehovah said unto Moses, Take thee Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay thy hand upon him; and set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation; and give him a charge in their sight. And thou shalt put of thine honor upon him, that all the congregation of the children of Israel may obey. And he shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall inquire for him by the judgment of the Urim before Jehovah: 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. And Moses did as Jehovah commanded him; and he took Joshua, and set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation: and he laid his hands upon him, and gave him a charge, as Jehovah spake by Moses." — Numbers 27:15-23 (ASV)
Envious spirits do not love their successors, but Moses was not one of these. We should concern ourselves, both in our prayers and in our efforts, for the rising generation, that religion may be maintained and advanced when we are in our graves. God appoints a successor, Joshua, who had distinguished himself by his courage in fighting Amalek, his humility in ministering to Moses, and his faith and sincerity in witnessing against the report of the evil spies.
This man God appoints to succeed Moses: a man in whom is the Spirit, the Spirit of grace. He is a good man, fearing God and hating covetousness, and acting from principle. He has the spirit of government; he is fit to do the work and fulfill the responsibilities of his position. He has a spirit of conduct and courage; he had also the Spirit of prophecy.
That man is not fully qualified for any service in the church of Christ who is lacking the graces and gifts of the Holy Spirit, whatever human abilities he may possess. And in Joshua's succession we are reminded that the law was given by Moses, who by reason of our transgression could not bring us to heaven; but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ, for the salvation of every believer.
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