Tag: clan

49. Wilderness – 13.f. “Marriage of Female Heirs”

 

Num 36:1-5  The heads of the fathers’ houses of the clan of the people of Gilead the son of Machir, son of Manasseh, from the clans of the people of Joseph, came near and spoke before Moses and before the chiefs, the heads of the fathers’ houses of the people of Israel. They said, “The LORD commanded my lord to give the land for inheritance by lot to the people of Israel, and my lord was commanded by the LORD to give the inheritance of Zelophehad our brother to his daughters.  But if they are married to any of the sons of the other tribes of the people of Israel, then their inheritance will be taken from the inheritance of our fathers and added to the inheritance of the tribe into which they marry. So it will be taken away from the lot of our inheritance. And when the jubilee of the people of Israel comes, then their inheritance will be added to the inheritance of the tribe into which they marry, and their inheritance will be taken from the inheritance of the tribe of our fathers.” And Moses commanded the people of Israel according to the word of the LORD, saying, “The tribe of the people of Joseph is right.

The book of Numbers ends with a concern about inheritance when a daughter would marry someone outside her father’s tribe. It is a valid concern and was recognized as such. It appears this was not done with grumbling but with the intent to bring up a concern. Their concern was valid and addressed appropriately and in agreement with everyone. 

We can learn from this. Church leaders do not spend time thinking of ways to complicate or short-change various members of their congregation. However, sometimes there are unseen consequences and they arise after the fact.  There are two ways to approach this; 

Inappropriately

  1. Grumble 
  2. Speak badly about the decision
  3. Become upset 
  4. Be divisive 
  5. Cause factions and divisions
  6. Point out blame
  7. Become jealous
  8. Become resentful
  9. Find others who can be swayed by your thoughts

Appropriately

  1. Kindly
  2. Respectfully
  3. Open minded
  4. Willing to listen
  5. Willing to compromise
  6. Willing to do what’s best
  7. Supportive
  8. Humbly
  9. Keeping unity

Far too many times people always think the worst and display actions as if the decision was solely designed to harm them. This is not the case but certainly is a playground for Satan to launch attacks. 

The approach we take will reflect our commitment to honor and glorify Jesus Christ. You can see clearly the path that does this and the path that does not. 

It is good for us to be ever-growing in our desire and commitment to honor and glorify Jesus in all our thoughts, words, and actions.

37.d. “Then I bowed my head and worshiped the LORD and blessed the LORD”

 

 

Genesis 24:39  So he said, “I am Abraham’s servant. The LORD has greatly blessed my master, and he has become great. He has given him flocks and herds, silver and gold, male servants and female servants, camels and donkeys. And Sarah my master’s wife bore a son to my master when she was old, and to him he has given all that he has. My master made me swear, saying, ‘You shall not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I dwell, but you shall go to my father’s house and to my clan and take a wife for my son.’ I said to my master, ‘Perhaps the woman will not follow me.’ But he said to me, ‘The LORD, before whom I have walked, will send his angel with you and prosper your way. You shall take a wife for my son from my clan and from my father’s house. Then you will be free from my oath, when you come to my clan. And if they will not give her to you, you will be free from my oath.’

“I came today to the spring and said, O LORD, the God of my master Abraham, if now you are prospering the way that I go, behold, I am standing by the spring of water. Let the virgin who comes out to draw water, to whom I shall say, “Please give me a little water from your jar to drink,” and who will say to me, “Drink, and I will draw for your camels also,” let her be the woman whom the LORD has appointed for my master’s son.’

“Before I had finished speaking in my heart, behold, Rebekah came out with her water jar on her shoulder, and she went down to the spring and drew water. I said to her, ‘Please let me drink.’ She quickly let down her jar from her shoulder and said, ‘Drink, and I will give your camels drink also.’ So I drank, and she gave the camels drink also. Then I asked her, ‘Whose daughter are you?’ She said, ‘The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor’s son, whom Milcah bore to him.’ So I put the ring on her nose and the bracelets on her arms. Then I bowed my head and worshiped the LORD and blessed the LORD, the God of my master Abraham, who had led me by the right way to take the daughter of my master’s kinsman for his son. Now then, if you are going to show steadfast love and faithfulness to my master, tell me; and if not, tell me, that I may turn to the right hand or to the left.”

Eliezer – Abraham’s servant, doing service to his master, humble, a witness of God’s hand in his affairs, first-hand witness of God answering prayer on his journey, and surely witnessing the fulfillment of the promises and past blessings of God to Abraham. I am encouraged by how this servant relays his purpose and message. 

  1. God has blessed my master Abraham
  2. What wealth Abraham has, has been given to him by God
  3. Abraham’s only son was born late in the life of Sarah – an implied act of God
  4. He was sent by his master
  5. He was given specific instructions
  6. He had concerns
  7. He speaks of Abraham’s faith in God by angels being sent before him to prosper his journey
  8. He told them of his prayer to the God of Abraham concerning specific actions at the well
  9. He told them how God fulfilled this prayer
  10. After this he requested an immediate decision as if to say, God’s hand is clearly in this and now you must decide if you will honor what has been said and give Rebekah to my master’s son as his wife? 

There are many times in our lives that we want time to think things over before making a decision. Many of these times we are seeking God’s direction and discernment over the information that we have. Time and time again God will give discernment to those who seek His guidance and are surrendered to His purpose with willing obedience. 

Then there are times like this where clear communication to the hand and working of God has been both given and, in part, witnessed. This is when waiting to make a decision adds no value. Nothing more can be said. I liken this to the point in your life when God has opened your ears, mind, and heart to His holiness, your sin, judgment (eternal life or death), and the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  This is not the time to ask for time to think it over – nothing more can be said – accept it or reject it, the message is clear.