1. Our tribe will lose its inheritance (1-4)

Zelophehad's five daughters had received permission from Moses to inherit their father's land (Nu 27). This seemed just. But the heads of their tribe, the tribe of Manasseh, saw one problem. If these five girls inherited their father's share of their tribe's land, then married outside of their tribe, then that property would pass from their tribe. Sometimes one person's rights run counter to what is right and just for whole community.

2. Let them marry within their tribe (5-13)

Moses prayed and the Lord solved the problem. He commanded these five girls to marry within their tribe. They accepted God's direction and married cousins on their father's side. Marriage belongs to God. A marriage should bring joy and encouragement to God's people, as well as joy to the new couple. A marriage surrendered to God's will is blessed. It strengthens and encourages all of God's people.

Application: Lord, give your people the faith to surrender marriage to you, so that they may live under your blessing and be blessed.
One Word: They did as the Lord commanded