In this passage we get a small glimpse into how Moses prepared the Israelites to enter the promised land. As Moses prepares for this new beginning the Israelites are about to experience, he has to address two specific issues in this passage. The first being the inheritance issue; a family shouldn't be penalized because their father never had a son. And the second issue; Moses not being able to enter the promised land, needs to pass the baton.

As you work through the scripture, take some time and admire how Moses continues to shepherd his people and prepare them for the blessing of the promised land, the blessing that he won't even get to experience. His prayer that the Israelites won't be "sheep without a shepherd" gives us great insight into his heart, and God's heart. And this prayer is ultimately fulfilled through Jesus, The Good Shepherd.

Numbers 27:1-23

Then drew near the daughters of Zelophehad the son of Hepher, son of Gilead, son of Machir, son of Manasseh, from the clans of Manasseh the son of Joseph. The names of his daughters were: Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. 2 And they stood before Moses and before Eleazar the priest and before the chiefs and all the congregation, at the entrance of the tent of meeting, saying, 3 “Our father died in the wilderness. He was not among the company of those who gathered themselves together against the Lord in the company of Korah, but died for his own sin. And he had no sons. 4 Why should the name of our father be taken away from his clan because he had no son? Give to us a possession among our father’s brothers.”

5 Moses brought their case before the Lord. 6 And the Lord said to Moses, 7 “The daughters of Zelophehad are right. You shall give them possession of an inheritance among their father’s brothers and transfer the inheritance of their father to them. 8 And you shall speak to the people of Israel, saying, ‘If a man dies and has no son, then you shall transfer his inheritance to his daughter. 9 And if he has no daughter, then you shall give his inheritance to his brothers. 10 And if he has no brothers, then you shall give his inheritance to his father’s brothers. 11 And if his father has no brothers, then you shall give his inheritance to the nearest kinsman of his clan, and he shall possess it. And it shall be for the people of Israel a statute and rule, as the Lord commanded Moses.’ ”

Joshua to Succeed Moses

12 The Lord said to Moses, “Go up into this mountain of Abarim and see the land that I have given to the people of Israel. 13 When you have seen it, you also shall be gathered to your people, as your brother Aaron was, 14 because you rebelled against my word in the wilderness of Zin when the congregation quarreled, failing to uphold me as holy at the waters before their eyes.” (These are the waters of Meribah of Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin.) 15 Moses spoke to the Lord, saying, 16 “Let the Lord, the God of the spirits of all flesh, appoint a man over the congregation 17 who shall go out before them and come in before them, who shall lead them out and bring them in, that the congregation of the Lord may not be as sheep that have no shepherd.” 18 So the Lord said to Moses, “Take Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay your hand on him. 19 Make him stand before Eleazar the priest and all the congregation, and you shall commission him in their sight. 20 You shall invest him with some of your authority, that all the congregation of the people of Israel may obey. 21 And he shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall inquire for him by the judgment of the Urim before the Lord. At his word they shall go out, and at his word they shall come in, both he and all the people of Israel with him, the whole congregation.” 22 And Moses did as the Lord commanded him. He took Joshua and made him stand before Eleazar the priest and the whole congregation, 23 and he laid his hands on him and commissioned him as the Lord directed through Moses.

[ WHAT ] is this passage saying and what is a key truth or thought that we learn?

+ What was the request from the daughters of Zelophehad and why were they making it? (v 2-4)

+ Though Moses sinned and could not enter the Promised Land, how was God’s grace displayed towards him? (v 12).

+ What was the basis of Moses’ request? (v17)

+ Why do you think God instructed Moses to have Joshua commissioned by Eleazar in front of the community? (v19-20)

[ HOW ] is the Lord calling me to action/obedience?

+ Is there a sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?

+ In the Israelite culture of those days, women were treated as property and would not naturally receive inheritance. What do verses 1-11 reveal about God’s heart and intention to those that society views as weak or unimportant? How should we as His church be living that characteristic out in our everyday lives?

+ If we are truly pursuing Jesus and his plan for our life, we should be looking to "pass the baton" as well. Whether that is with our children or someone we are discipling. What next step do you need to take to make this hand-off happen?

[ WHO ] am I walking with and praying for to discover Jesus?

+ What is my next step?

+ What do you need to do in order to clearly pass the baton and prepare your family and friends to enjoy the blessing found in Jesus?