Keep the Inheritance in the Family
“This is the thing which the LORD doth command concerning the daughters of Zelophehad, saying, Let them marry to whom they think best; only to the family of the tribe of their father shall they marry.”Numbers 36:6 (KJV)
Zelophehad’s daughters won their inheritance. Then a new question came up: what happens if they marry into another tribe? Their land would go with them. So God gave a simple rule.
“Let them marry to whom they think best; only to the family of the tribe of their father shall they marry.” They were free to choose, but the choice had a boundary, so the inheritance would stay where God had placed it.
Paul uses a marriage picture for the church: “for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.” And James puts the warning sharply: “know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God?”
Believers are free in Christ. But our hearts belong to one husband. When we give our love to the world, we don’t lose our salvation, but we lose the enjoyment of what we’ve been given. Keep your heart close to home.
Read it yourself
Read Numbers 36:1–12. How did the daughters respond to the LORD’s command?
Where has friendship with the world been pulling your heart away from Christ?
Lord Jesus, I belong to you. Keep my heart from wandering, so I can enjoy all you’ve given me. Amen.