As the Israelites prepared to enter the land, God commanded Moses to number the people according to their tribe and their family. According to the numbers, the lands were to be divided. This was a very precise plan as laid out perfectly by God. The people were numbered according to the number of males, as had always been custom and as ordered. Yet, God in His Wisdom was about to display another truth. He was going to demonstrate what are the keys to being a woman of strength, there amid this census taking.
The Bible may speak a lot about the roles of men; but it never fails to point out women of great faith and strength. For they are key both in their position as the primary teachers of the children and their ability to guide the men in their lives as women of strength wielding their influence with humility and grace.
I want you to picture this scene for a moment, as we begin to read Numbers 27. Five women, all the daughters of Zelophehad approached Moses. That in and of itself was a bold move. After all, women did not typically approach men of authority. Theirs was a role of humility and servitude toward their male counterparts. Even at that, it was the Mother of Moses who boldly defied the authorities so many years earlier. His sister had played a role inhis protection from death as an infant. But now we are about to be shown five women and are handed the key to stand out as a woman of strength. So, let’s read what happens!
Numbers 27:
The daughters of Zelophehad approached; Zelophehad was the son of Hepher, son of Gilead, son of Machir, son of Manasseh from the clans of Manasseh, the son of Joseph. These were the names of his daughters: Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. 2 They stood before Moses, the priest Eleazar, the leaders, and the entire community at the entrance to the tent of meeting and said, 3 “Our father died in the wilderness, but he was not among Korah’s followers, who gathered together against the Lord. Instead, he died because of his own sin, and he had no sons. 4 Why should the name of our father be taken away from his clan? Since he had no son, give us property among our father’s brothers.”
5 Moses brought their case before the Lord, 6 and the Lord answered him, 7 “What Zelophehad’s daughters say is correct. You are to give them hereditary property among their father’s brothers and transfer their father’s inheritance to them. 8 Tell the Israelites: When a man dies without having a son, transfer his inheritance to his daughter. 9 If he has no daughter, give his inheritance to his brothers. 10 If he has no brothers, give his inheritance to his father’s brothers. 11 If his father has no brothers, give his inheritance to the nearest relative of his clan, and he will take possession of it. This is to be a statutory ordinance for the Israelites as the Lord commanded Moses.”
What Elements Make Up A Woman of Strength?
#1. Faith
First, these women all believed God’s promise that they were going to enter the promised land. They had no doubt that God would keep His Promise to the people
#2. Understood Grace
They realized the difference between the law and Grace. Although, their father had died in the wilderness “because of his own sin of disbelief”, he had not been a part of Korah’s disinherited tribe. No one was receiving land because they “earned it” or “deserved it”. This was an act of God’s grace to His people
#3. Gentleness and Humility-Trusting in God’s Justice
Note, they did not run to the front of the crowd. Instead they went to the door of the tent, where they presented their case. Neither did they demand. Instead, they presented their case with a gentleness and humility, by proposing a question to be presented to God. They stood strong on principle, trusting in God’s Justice to provide for them.
Results bigger than even they imagined
You see, God already knew what His answer was before the question was asked. He could have laid it out from the beginning; but then we would not have met these women. Nor would we have realized the keys of being a woman of strength. Instead, God chose to do it this way so all might see.
Furthermore, faith has generally a much bigger effect than just the ones standing on faith. Because of these women stepping forward, a law was laid out concerning inheritance that paved the way for Jesus to be an heir to the throne of David through Mary alone.
Beyond that, we see recorded in the Bible other such women. Rahab the harlot, stood as a woman of faith, risked her life and that of her family; because she believed God. She became part of the lineage of Jesus Christ. Then there was Esther who put her own life on the line to go before the King to protect her people. We can never forget Ruth, who left her homeland to go with Naomi, believing God is true and faithful. Not to mention how Mary stood on faith, regardless of the ridicule she faced from the world around her.
Concluding thoughts:
Being a woman of strength begins with knowing God as Sovereign Lord and believing that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. It begins by accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, for there is no other way to God the Father but through Him. He who died to pay the penalty for her sin, that she might have free access to the Father. Then clothed in His righteousness, declared God’s blessed, beloved, redeemed, chosen Child, heir of the kingdom, endowed with wisdom and power, seated in heavenly places with Him, she stands firm as a woman of strength. Yet, knowing that it is all by grace alone, she holds fast to that Grace which keeps her humble. Then with humility, grace, love and gentleness, she marches forward claiming victory over whatever circumstance she faces in life.
That is the true woman of strength’s banner as a fearless warrior in this journey of life.
[tweetthis]A true woman of strength begins with faith that is sprinkled with God’s grace[/tweetthis]
DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD?
If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because, He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.
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©Effie Darlene Barba, 2019
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