SCRIPTURE: Numbers 27
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
“When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” [Matthew 9:36-38].
We serve a compassionate God.
Jesus, Who shows us what God is like, embodies the love and mercy of God.
He is concerned for everyone, no matter what their background, story, race, sin, gender, age, etc.
He sees the whole mass of the human race as sheep needing a shepherd.
The daughters of Zelophedad find out that God will provide for them, and for all women in need.
In that culture and time, the inheritance was passed on through the first-born son, and he provided for the rest of the family.
But if there was no son (no shepherd, i.e. caregiver), how would the daughters and servants survive?
In response to their request (asking the Lord of the harvest, i.e. the source of blessing), He provides them an inheritance.
Moses also asks the “Lord of the harvest” for another worker to provide a shepherd for the sheep [Numbers 27:15-17].
And the Lord provides Joshua.
He is commissioned with Moses’ authority to carry on the work.
This parallels with what follows in Matthew 9, where Jesus appoints the twelve disciples to carry on His mission.
And they receive of His authority to heal the sick and cast out demons.
Today, we are the extension of Jesus’ ministry and authority.
Anointed and empowered by the Spirit, we carry on what He has begun, leading people to the Good Shepherd, to find their blessing (eternal inheritance) in Him.
This is the good news.
Our God is good, our God is compassionate.
He cares about the weak, the needy, the second-class citizens, the excluded, the forgotten.
He has provided for the blessing of all, and we are His messengers, getting this message out.
We carry on what Jesus has begun.
If we are doing what the Lord calls us to do, then this world is not like sheep without a shepherd.
There is a Good Shepherd, and we are servants of the Good Shepherd.
And we share in His anointing, His authority, His power.
Let’s get the message out there.
Let’s demonstrate the Lord’s compassion, and lets tell people about it (in that order).
PRAYER:
Lord, Your compassion is what has changed and blessed me. Help me to show it and share it with others, to carry on Your work!
The land people possessed went to the eldest son and so the name stayed in the land claim. Their inheritance in the land was like their inheritance to be part of the family of God. Yet these girls did not grumble nor complain and held their father in respect and asked why his name be blotted out since their was no son. Can’t we have the inheritance?
Their respect for the family, their faith in the promise of God made it a possibility to lay claim to their inheritance – to be part of the family of God. Standing on the promises.
Also standing on the promises of God was Joshua. Moses was about to see the land and not enter. His spirit would be set upon Joshua before the people. Joshua and Caleb were the two who had given a minority report about the good land. He trusted God’s promises and now was commissioned to lead God’s people. God had prepared him to serve Him.
The daughters were empowered by God as was Joshua. We too are empowered by Him to go forward in our living for Jesus.
Living for Jesus, a life that is true,
Striving to please Him in all that I do;
Yielding allegiance, glad hearted and free,
This is the pathway of blessing for me.
Refrain
O Jesus, Lord and Savior, I give myself to Thee,
For Thou, in Thy atonement, didst give Thyself for me.
I own no other Master, my heart shall be Thy throne.
My life I give, henceforth to live, O Christ, for Thee alone.