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Numbers 36 Commentary
by Brad Boyles
Unfortunately, the evangelical church today has become a place where people feel they cannot seek truth through difficult questions. Many churches discourage seekers from “questioning God,” and while questioning Him without faith can be sinful, we must be careful not to throw the baby out with the bathwater. Genuinely questioning with a heart to know and follow God should be encouraged, no matter how controversial or trivial the question. We know this because we know God answers those who seek with a genuine heart (Jer 29:13).
Here in Numbers 36, there are questions that arise from previous decisions handed down from leadership. The questioning is not done defiantly, but with a heart to do what is right in the sight of God.
The issue at hand stems from commands handed down back in Numbers 27. God had given permission for fathers to pass their inheritance down to their daughters if they had no sons. This was good, however, it created a problem that now is being brought to Moses’ attention from the heads of the families of the clan of Gilead.
Essentially, their problem is that if a daughter marries a man from a different tribe, and her father’s inheritance is passed down to her, that property will be permanently transferred to him. During the Year of Jubilee, that property would be finalized to the husband’s tribe and if this pattern continued, it was possible that the original tribe would have their land and property completely wiped out through marriage. Again, the questioning happening here was not out of defiance. The heart of the question was concerned with maintaining the tribes and the land that God had commanded.
God, through Moses, offers a solution. The woman would simply marry men within their own tribe, or, if they chose to marry outside their tribe, they would forfeit the inheritance. In this way, the property would always stay with the tribe to which God had given it. This solution highlights a process by which the people would learn and grow. Their questions and concerns were taken to Moses who took them to God and in time, answers were revealed. The same is true today. We take our requests to Jesus and God’s Word and through the Holy Spirit, truth is revealed.
As I look back at the book of Numbers, there are a several points that stick out.
- The sinful nature of humans is evident, especially when operating without faith or humility.
- God is holy and just; His mercy is unending.
- Israel needed a mediator in Moses and we have a greater Mediator today in Jesus Christ.
Praise God for the greater covenant we have in Jesus.