The Right of Inheritance
Numbers 27:1-23
OCCASION FOR THIS CHAPTER:
q Occurs immediately after the second census (Num.26). This census was taken shortly before the Israelites entered the promised land. It was a census of the new generation that grew up in the wilderness. The purpose of the census was to know how many people were of each tribe and family so that the inheritance might be properly allotted.
INTRODUCTION: In this chapter, one generation has passed away and a younger generation is taking their places. Who will take over when the old saints die and go to be with the Lord? This is an inheritance that we need to pick up with zeal and energy. Are you ready to take your inheritance?
I. THE INHERITANCE OF PROPERTY (27:1-11)
A. The Daughters of Zelophehad State their Case to Moses (v.1-5)
1. They approach Moses (v.1-2)
a. Notice the ease with which even women could approach Moses in order to seek justice (Ex.18:13).
b. This entire incident demonstrates how cases were settled under the law (see Num.15:32-35).
2. They state their case (v.3-4)
a. Their father died in his own sin without partaking of the rebellion of Korah (v.3)
b. Their father died without sons (v.3)
c. Why should their father’s name disappear among the families of the tribes? (v.4)
d. Give a possession to his daughters so that his name might go on (v.4)
3. Moses takes their case to God (v.5; Deut.17:8-13)
B. The Lord Establishes the Line of Inheritance (v.5-11)
1. A ruling in their favor (v.6-8)
a. The daughters “speak right” (v.6-7)
b. They shall be given a possession (v.7)
c. This shall be made law for all similar cases (v.8)
2. Rulings for other circumstances (v.9-11)
II. THE INHERITANCE OF POSITION (27:12-23)
A. Moses to Prepare for Death (v.12-14)
1. Moses to view the land from Mt. Abarim (v.12; Deut.3:27; 32:49-51); same as Mount Pisgah
2. Moses to die after viewing the land (v.13)
3. Moses reminded of his rebellion at Meribah (v.14; 20:8-13)
B. Moses Seeks a Man to Replace Him (v.15-17)
1. Moses approaches the Lord (v.15-16a); “the God of the spirits of all flesh” (16:22; Heb.12:9)
2. Moses requests a man to follow him (v.16b)
q Elijah anoints Elisha (1Kgs.19:16, 19-21)
3. Moses defines the quality of man he desires (v.17a)
a. His vitality – he goes in and goes out (Jn.10:9)
b. His visibility – “before them”
(1) Living in a glass house (1Sam.18:12-16)
(2) Required to have a good report (1Tim.3:7)
(3) An ensample to the flock (1Pet.5:3)
c. His vision
(1) He leads them out; he shows them the way to go (2Cor.4:1)
(2) He brings them in; he brings them back to safety; he cares for them (Heb.13:17)
4. Moses desires a man for the sake of the congregation (v.17b; Acts 13:1-4)
C. Moses Appoints Joshua as his Successor (v.18-23)
1. Joshua’s call (v.18)
a. He was called by name
b. A “man in whom is the spirit”
(1) Spirit-filled (Ac.6:3; Eph.5:18)
(2) Spirit-fed (1Cor.2:12-13)
(3) Spirit-led (Rom.8:16)
2. Joshua’s confirmation (v.19-20)
a. Set before Eleazar the priest (v.19)
b. Charged in the sight of the congregation (v.19)
c. Given some of the honor of Moses (v.20; cp.Josh.3:7)
3. Joshua’s commission (v.21)
a. To ask counsel of the Lord
b. To lead the children of Israel
4. Joshua’s charge (v.22-23)
CONCLUSION: Who will fill the ranks of the dying saints? Who will fill the ranks of the dying preachers, missionaries and pastors? Will you?
MEMORY VERSES:
Numbers 27:16 “Let the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, set a man over the congregation”
John 10:9 “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.”
Ephesians 5:18 “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;”
By David F. Reagan
Copyright © 2002
Antioch Baptist Church Knoxville, Tennessee