Numbers 27-29

Whenever I read accounts like that of Zelophehad’s daughters I pay special attention. Zelophehad had no sons. He had five daughters. And he and Mrs Zelophehad named their girls with names that all ended in “ah”.

For those of you who know me, you know my parents had no sons, either. They had five daughters and all of us have names that end with the “ee” sound. (No spiritual lesson here. Just some useless points of interest)

What I did learn from today’s reading is that God honors women. Yes, this was a male dominated society and much of the Bible is addressed to men. But I take no offense in that. If I look beyond the pronouns I see a God who loves people, who died for men and women, and who is not willing that any should perish. I see a God who prompted Paul to write there is no difference between Jews and Greeks, male and female. I see a God who demands obedience of all of us.

Ladies, let’s not get our feelings hurt by the use of words like “mankind” or try to feminize God by eliminating the masculine pronouns. I believe that’s one of the ways Satan tries to take our focus off what’s really important.

Father, I thank you for the masculine picture you painted that speaks of your relationship to your people. And I thank you that you are a Father who loves his children equally, that you died for all of us, that gender makes no difference in your kingdom. Help us to keep our eyes on the real message of your Word and forgive us when we make issues of things that really aren’t all that important.