Numbers 36:12: “They were married into the families of the children of Manasseh the son of Joseph, and their inheritance remained in the tribe of their father’s family.”

February 15th, 2023 by Pastor Ed in devotional

In Numbers 27, the daughters of Zelophehad received a land inheritance even though their father had died in the wilderness. In chapter 36, Moses told them that they could marry whom they chose so long as the men were from the tribe of their father. This was to prevent land inheritances from being moved from tribe to tribe. These daughters were obedient to God’s command and so they continued to receive His blessings, intended for them in their inheritance. They are held up here as a model of what should be practiced by all of God’s children. We have seen this lesson of obedience to the Lord, repeatedly being stressed throughout the Book of Numbers. It was the basic lesson that obedience to God brings blessings. Zelophehad’s daughters had a constraint placed on them, and they were obedient to it.

We find in the New Testament book, 2 Corinthians, written by the Apostle Paul, that constraints are placed on us as believers.

Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever (2 Corinthians 6:14–15)?

Paul does not mean believers should end all associations with unbelievers. The very reason God saves people and then leaves them on earth is so that they will lead others to His throne of grace. What Paul is talking about are close partnerships, especially marriage. The Corinthian believers had become partners with the wrong people, and Paul was saying that it was time for them to make a choice. Just as Elijah forced the nation to chose in 1 Kings 18:2: “And Elijah came to all the people, and said, ‘How long will you falter between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal, then follow him.’”

For those reading this who are unmarried and looking for a mate, this is especially important. These are strong words that need to be heeded. If you are involved in a relationship with an unbeliever, and are not married, please think very seriously about ending that relationship. Obedience to God’s word brings blessings and peace into our lives, but disobedience to God’s word brings both heartache and pain. The choice is simple but often not easy to carry out; nevertheless, no relationship is worth the separation from the Lord that remaining in it will bring. Obey God and be blessed today.

“LORD, we desire to be obedient to you, but we need Your grace to keep our hearts right. Give us a clean heart we ask, in Jesus’ name.”