Seize the Moment – Day 616
The Politics of Inheritance!
Good morning! This is Pastor Jerry Ingalls from New Castle First Baptist Church and today is Tuesday, November 23.
It pains me to see families fight over estate issues, but the politics of inheritance are real, especially when there is a transfer of property or wealth.
As we enter the final chapter of Numbers, a concern was expressed in the inheritance laws regarding the tribal allotments of land. Previously, in Numbers 27, Moses decreed that Zelophehad’s daughters were allowed to inherit their father’s property because he had no sons (1-11). Now in Numbers 36, as they are about to enter the Promised Land, the question was raised: Would the tribe lose an allotment of the Promised Land forever if a daughter were to marry outside the tribe (1-4)?
Even though Israel was one nation, each tribal leader was like a prince over their own tribe and looked out for their people’s best interest, which included protecting their allotments of the Promised Land.
Moses’ decision in verses 6-9 legislated marriage to mitigate the politics of inheritance between the tribes of Israel with the hope of minimizing tribal infighting in the future:
Every daughter who comes into possession of an inheritance of any tribe of the sons of Israel shall be wife to one of the family of the tribe of her father, so that the sons of Israel each may possess the inheritance of his fathers. Thus no inheritance shall be transferred from one tribe to another tribe, for the tribes of the sons of Israel shall each hold to his own inheritance.
Seize the moment and accept your birthright through Jesus Christ. God’s politics of inheritance allows you to be His child and enter His Kingdom!