Session 35
Does God have a rule for this?
From Numbers: A 5-Week Devotional
In Numbers 36, Zelophehad’s daughters were allowed to inherit their father’s land but it came with a snag. If these women married someone outside their tribe, their land would no longer belong to their father’s tribe. Instead, it would belong to their husbands’ tribes.
Moses asks God what to do, and God answers: Have the women marry men within their own tribe. Numbers 36:10 says Zelophehad’s daughters did as the Lord commanded Moses.
At times, we’ll find ourselves in situations, like Zelophehad’s daughters, where it’s unclear how God’s rules apply. Sometimes, we’ll genuinely seek godly advice. Other times, we’ll dance around the issue or pretend we’re seeking Godly advice when we’re actually working up the courage to compromise.
Moses’ example in Numbers 36 shows us three steps to take when the situation doesn’t seem to fit the rules: 1) Moses looked at what God had already said, 2) He was willing to ask God for clarity when he needed it, and 3) Moses did what God said.
Too often, we treat God like He couldn’t possibly have an opinion on our problems. But God cares about every detail of our lives. He wasn’t shy about what He wanted to be done for Zelophehad’s daughters, and He isn’t shy about speaking to us.
We just need to be willing to ask: What has God already said in the Bible? What do I need clarity on? Am I willing to do what God says?
Reflect:
- When you come across a situation you’re not sure about, do you look to see what the Bible says? Why or why not?
- Are you afraid to ask God what He has to say about your situation because of what He might ask you to do?
- Has God given you an answer that you need to stop ignoring and start obeying?