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Sermon Outline

Lessons of Faith from Joshua

Recipe for Success

Lesson #1 for October 4, 2025

Scriptures:Deuteronomy 18:15-22; Joshua 1;Hebrews 6:17-18; Ephesians 6:10-18; Psalm 1:1-3; Romans 3:31.

  1. From the story of Joshua, was there a recipe for success? Did Israel follow that recipe?

[From the Adult Sabbath School Bible Study Guide=BSG:] The book of Joshua is about new possibilities. Moses, who had dominated 40 years of Israel’s history, belonged in the past. The Exodus from Egypt and the wanderings in the wilderness, tragically marked by rebellion and stubbornness, had ended. A new generation, [supposedly] willing to obey God, was ready to enter the Promised Land, not as an expectation to live up to but as a possibility to live into.—BSG* for Sabbath Afternoon, September 27.†‡§

  1. The major topics of the book of Joshua are touched on in the first chapter: (1) The crossing of the Jordan is covered inJoshua 1:2-9; (2) Conquering land is discussed inJoshua 1:10-11; (3) Dividing the land is inJoshua 1:12-15; and, finally, (4) “Obediently” serving the law is inJoshua 1:16-17.

A “New Moses” – A Successor to Moses Is Chosen by God

  1. Looking back, Joshua was commissioned as his successor soon after Moses’s great sin at Kadesh-Barnea of misrepresenting God by striking the rock instead of speaking to the rock.
  2. How do you explain the sin of Moses as described inNumbers 20:9-12?

Numbers 20:9-12: 9Moses went and got the stick [Aaron’s “rod” that had budded; it was kept in the most holy place], as the Lord had commanded.

10 He and Aaron assembled the whole community in front of the rock, and Moses said, “Listen, you rebels! Do we [implying “we” Moses and Aaron rather than God] have to get water out of this rock for you?” 11Then Moses raised the stick and struck the rock twice with it [as he had done previously at God’s command], and a great stream of water gushed out, and all the people and animals drank. [He had been instructed only to speak to the rock!]

12 But the Lord reprimanded Moses and Aaron. He said, “Because you did not have enough faith to acknowledge my holy power before the people of Israel, you will not lead them into the land that I promised to give them.”—American Bible Society. (©1992). The Holy Bible: The Good News Translation®* [GNT] (Today’s English Version) [TEV], Second Edition,Numbers 20:9-12). Philadelphia: American Bible Society [abbreviated as Good News Bible-TEV* or GNB-TEV*].†‡

  1. Was Moses’s problem in taking Aaron’s rod that had budded and using it to strike the rock? Or, was it in not trusting the Lord to work things out in His own way? By exclaiming, “Must we bring water?” was Moses claiming for himself divine power?

[From the writings of Ellen G. White=EGW:] Had not the life of Moses been marred with that one sin, in failing to give God the glory of bringing water from the rock at Kadesh, he would have entered the Promised Land, and would have been translated to heaven without seeing death. But he was not long to remain in the tomb. Christ Himself, with the angels who had buried Moses, came down from heaven to call forth the sleeping saint. Satan had exulted at his success in causing Moses to sin against God, and thus come under the dominion of death. The great adversary declared that the divine sentence—“Dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return” (Genesis 3:19.)—gave him possession of the dead. The power of the grave had never been broken, and all who were in the tomb he claimed as his captives, never to be released from his dark prison house.—Ellen G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets* 478.2.†‡

[https://egwwritings.org/read?panels=p84.2202&index=0]‡

Numbers 27:12-13: 12 The Lord said to Moses, “Go up the Abarim Mountains and look out over the land that I am giving to the Israelites. 13After you have seen it, you will die, as your brother Aaron did.”—Good News Bible-TEV.*

  1. When God told Moses that he would not be allowed to take the children of Israel across the Jordan into the land of Palestine, what did Moses do?

Numbers 27:15-23: 15 Moses prayed, 16“Lord God, source of all life, appoint, I pray, a man who can lead the people 17and can command them in battle, so that your community will not be like sheep without a shepherd.”

18 The Lord said to Moses, “Take Joshua son of Nun, a capable man, and place your hands on his head. 19Have him stand in front of Eleazar the priest and the whole community, and there before them all proclaim him as your successor. 20Give him some of your own authority, so that the whole community of Israel will obey him. 21He will depend on Eleazar the priest, who will learn my will by using the Urim and Thummim. In this way Eleazar will direct Joshua and the whole community of Israel in all their affairs.” 22Moses did as the Lord had commanded him. He had Joshua stand before Eleazar the priest and the whole community. 23As the Lord had commanded, Moses put his hands on Joshua’s head and proclaimed him as his successor.—Good News Bible-TEV.*† [See alsoDeuteronomy 31:1-8.] [Did Moses or Joshua ever use the Urim and Thummim?]‡

[From the Adult Teachers Sabbath School Bible Study Guide=T-BSG:] In God’s response to Moses, Joshua is described as a man filled with the Spirit (ruah) (Num. 27:18). Such an evaluation from the One who knows the heart is significant. In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word ruah can denote an impersonal wind, human breath, disposition, or mind, among other things. It can also refer to the divine Agent who has been actively involved in worldly affairs since Creation (Gen. 1:2). The presence of the Holy Spirit in the Pentateuch is revealed through three manifestations: wisdom, prophecy, and leadership. Joseph is the first person identified as having the Spirit of God (Gen. 41:38). All three aspects are evident in his life: as a prophet, he receives dreams; as a wise man, he interprets Pharaoh’s dream; and as a leader, he devises a plan to save not only his people but also other nations affected by the famine.—T-BSG* 14.‡§

  1. Thus, we can say for sure that God’s Holy Spirit was active even in ancient times.
  2. Moses had been told fairly late in his ministry (Deuteronomy 18:15) that a new leader would be coming like Moses himself. This, of course, has had multiple future implications; and Christians believe it may apply also to Christ. But, in this context, it applied to Joshua.

Joshua 1:1-2: 1After the death of the Lord’s servant Moses, the Lord spoke to Moses’ helper, Joshua son of Nun. 2He said, “My servant Moses is dead. Get ready now, you and all the people of Israel, and cross the Jordan River into the land that I am giving them.”—Good News Bible-TEV.*†

  1. God encouraged Joshua to stand firm and to be ready for the challenges which were ahead.
  2. In fact, God promised him that wherever he walked in the land of Palestine, it would become territory for his descendants in the future. That should remind us that Abraham was given the same promise about 400 years earlier.

Genesis 13:17: [God said to Abram/Abraham:] “Now, go and look over the whole land, because I am going to give it all to you.”—Good News Bible-TEV.*‡

  1. Joshua had been working with Moses for a number of years. He had been the military commander for several major wars. Then, God was telling Joshua that he was to stand as the “new Moses.”
  2. We need to remember specifically that of the 12 spies who had been sent into the land of Canaan to investigate it back at the beginning of their wilderness wandering, it was Caleb and Joshua who stood firm for the truth and for God’s plan. (SeeNumbers 14:6,30,38.)
  3. As we will learn, God was faithful to His promise. Both Caleb and Joshua entered the land and inherited some of the property.
  4. As we look at Joshua 1, we notice that it repeats several things from the ending of Deuteronomy. Moses’s name is mentioned ten times while Joshua’s name is only mentioned about four times. But, one thing is very evident. While we are talking about leadership, we need to remember that God was the real Leader of Israel even though Israel often did not follow Him!

[T-BSG:] History repeats itself today. The church, under the leadership of Christ, the new Joshua, is summoned to advance toward the fulfillment of God’s promises. The pattern of the covenant remains unaltered: God gives us what we cannot obtain for ourselves, and He waits for our obedience, which expresses our confidence in His love, wisdom, and power. The question remains: Will our generation trust in the ability of the Divine to bring His plan “to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Phil. 1:6, NIV)? As the present generation stands at the border of the heavenly Canaan, the divine appeal still resounds powerfully: “ ‘Only be strong and very courageous’ ” (Josh. 1:7, NKJV).—T-BSG* 13.†‡§

[T-BSG:] There are several leadership models, such as the charismatic model, the transformational model, and the servant-leader model, among others. All these leadership profiles may be found in the Bible. However, the distinct mark of successful leaders in biblical terms is their spiritual competence. Starting with Joshua, discuss the qualities of a spiritual leader in the life of the following characters: Joshua, Abraham, Deborah, David, Esther, Peter, Paul.—T-BSG* 16.‡

  1. As we have already seen in the writings of Moses, it will become very clear again in the book of Joshua that God’s pattern in His agreement with the people is to bless first, then to give them promises on the condition of their obedience. Blessings come before commands or requirements.

Cross the Jordan!

  1. The children of Israel were camped on the eastern edge of the Jordan River on the plains of Moab. They could look across the springtime-flooded Jordan River at the large, fortified city of Jericho. God’s first command to them was to cross the river.

Click on the following link to see a photograph of the Jordan River in 1935 during the spring flooding. The bridge pictured is usually about 20 feet above the level of the river.

http://www.lifeintheholyland.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Jordan_River_flood_covering_area_by_Allenby_Bridge_mat00450_closeupsr.jpg

  1. God promised them how much territory would eventually be theirs. However, there were conditions.

Joshua 1:3-6: [Yahweh said to Joshua:] 3 “As I told Moses, I have given you and all my people the entire land that you will be marching over. 4Your borders will reach from the desert in the south to the Lebanon Mountains in the north; from the great Euphrates River in the east, through the Hittite country, to the Mediterranean Sea in the west. 5Joshua, no one will be able to defeat you as long as you live. I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will always be with you; I will never abandon you. 6Be determined and confident, for you will be the leader of these people as they occupy this land which I promised their ancestors.”—Good News Bible-TEV.*‡ [It was not until the reigns of David and Solomon that the kingdom extended to the Euphrates River as promised to Joshua by God.]‡

  1. God’s first promise to Joshua was to remind him that this land had been promised to their ancestors about 400 years earlier. God was now giving it to them.

Genesis 12:5b-7: 5bWhen they arrived in Canaan, 6Abram traveled through the land…. 7The Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, “This is the country that I am going to give to your descendants.”—Good News Bible-TEV.*

[BSG:] The land was a gift from the Lord, who was the real Owner. InJoshua 1:2, 3, two different forms of the verb “to give” are used, reflecting two significant aspects of inheriting the land. The first form expresses the process of giving the land. Only the Transjordan [east of the Jordan River] territories had been occupied by Israel. Most of the Promised Land had yet to be taken.

InJoshua 1:3 the verb is used in its perfect form, giving the impression that the land had already been given to them. When God is the subject of such actions, the form is called “the prophetic perfect.” And that’s because what He promises in His Word is an assured fact that can be trusted as present reality. [Though not yet accomplished in fact!]

The pronouns in verse 3, “you” and “your,” are plurals, so the promise is given not only to Joshua but to the entire people of Israel. The reference to the promise given to Moses conveys the continuity of God’s cause.

Also, the word kol, “all,” “every,” is repeated numerous times in the first chapter. The pervasive presence of this noun expresses the totality and integrity that is crucial to attaining the objective set before Joshua. There has to be a perfect alignment between God, Joshua, and the people of Israel in order to assure success in the forthcoming conquest of the Promised Land.—BSG* for Tuesday, September 30.†‡§

  1. Do we as Adventist Christians have promises from God that have not yet been fulfilled? Are we really heirs of the promise?

Hebrews 6:17-18: 17To those who were to receive what he promised, God wanted to make it very clear that he would never change his purpose; so he added his vow to the promise. 18There are these two things, then, that cannot change and about which God cannot lie. So we who have found safety with him are greatly encouraged to hold firmly to the hope placed before us.—Good News Bible-TEV.*

[BSG:] There is nothing magical about the promises of God. They don’t have the power in and of themselves to secure their own fulfillment. The guarantee that they will come true lies in the presence of God, who says: “ ‘I will be with you.’ ” Indeed, the presence of the Lord was crucial for the survival of the Israelites. Without it, they would be only one among many nations, with no special call, identity, or mission (Exod. 33:12–16). The presence of the Lord was everything Joshua needed to succeed.—BSG* for Tuesday, September 30.†‡§

  1. Joshua told the people to prepare themselves by preparing food for three days. Were they still eating manna? They were about to cross the Jordan River. Notice these very interesting instructions God gave to Joshua.

Joshua 5:10-12: 10 While the Israelites were camping at Gilgal on the plain near Jericho, they observed Passover on the evening of the fourteenth day of the month. 11The next day was the first time they ate food grown in Canaan: roasted grain and bread made without yeast. 12The manna stopped falling then, and the Israelites no longer had any. From that time on they ate food grown in Canaan.—Good News Bible-TEV.*†

Joshua 1:12-18: 12 Joshua said to the tribes of Reuben and Gad and to half the tribe of Manasseh, 13“Remember how the Lord’s servant Moses told you that the Lord your God would give you this land on the east side of the Jordan as your home. 14Your wives, your children, and your livestock will stay here, but your soldiers, armed for battle, will cross over ahead of the other Israelites in order to help them 15until they have occupied the land west of the Jordan that the Lord your God has given them. When he has given safety to all the tribes of Israel, then you may come back and settle here in your own land east of the Jordan, which Moses, the Lord’s servant, gave to you.”

16 They answered Joshua, “We will do everything you have told us and will go anywhere you send us. 17We will obey you, just as we always obeyed Moses, and may the Lord your God be with you as he was with Moses! 18Whoever questions your authority or disobeys any of your orders will be put to death. Be determined and confident!”—Good News Bible-TEV.*†

  1. Were these words to Joshua a great encouragement? Did the Israelites in the wilderness always obey Moses?
  2. Moses had already told them what areas of Palestine each of the tribes was to occupy. Except for the spies, none of them had ever been in Palestine.
  3. Would you be prepared to cross the flooded Jordan River and begin the task of conquering the fortified land based “only” on God’s word? Of course, we must remember that Joshua had led them to conquer the Amalekites, the Midianites, and the Amorites under Sihon and Og.

[BSG:] God’s initiatives, expressed by the three verbs—“cross,” “take,” and “divide”—receive a proper answer in the people’s obedience, which derives from the final initiative: service.

Again, the book of Joshua has four major sections, each characterized by a specific concept expressed through the dominating presence of a Hebrew word:

  1. Cross (Josh. 1:1–5:12)
  2. Take (Josh. 5:13–12:24)
  3. Divide (Josh. 13:1–21:45)
  4. Service (Josh. 22:1–24:33)

Thus, the structure of the book itself conveys its main message: God’s initiatives are not accomplished automatically. Instead, they require the faithful response of His people. That is, with all that God has done for us—including all that He has done for us that we cannot do for ourselves—we are then called to do what we can do for ourselves, which is to obey what God commands us to do. This is how it has always been in all of sacred history, and it remains so today. For example, the depiction of God’s end-time people inRevelation 14:12 conveys the same idea: faith in what God has done for us, which leads to obedience.—BSG* for Monday, September 29.†‡§

[BSG:] Think about some of the promises of God’s Word that are most precious to you. What kind of response do they require on your part in order for them to become reality?—BSG* for Monday, September 29.‡

Be Strong! Be Confident!

Joshua 1:7-9: 7 [Yahweh said to Joshua:] “Just be determined, be confident; and make sure that you obey the whole Law that my servant Moses gave you. Do not neglect any part of it and you will succeed wherever you go. 8Be sure that the book of the Law is always read in your worship. Study it day and night, and make sure that you obey everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 9Remember that I have commanded you to be determined and confident! Do not be afraid or discouraged, for I, the Lord your God, am with you wherever you go.”—Good News Bible-TEV.*†‡

  1. Would you have had the faith to believe that God would enable you to cross the flooded Jordan River? The people of Jericho were sure that they did not have to worry so long as the Jordan was in flood stage! It might be easier to believe that crossing the Jordan was possible if you, like the Israelites, had already crossed the Red Sea on dry ground!

[EGW:] Leaving their encampment in the acacia groves of Shittim, the host descended to the border of the Jordan. All knew, however, that without divine aid they could not hope to make the passage. At this time of the year—in the spring season—the melting snows of the mountains had so raised the Jordan that the river overflowed its banks, making it impossible to cross at the usual fording places. God willed that the passage of Israel over Jordan should be miraculous.—Ellen G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets* 483.3.†‡ [https://egwwritings.org/read?panels=p84.2229&index=0]‡

  1. How would you feel walking on dry land “through the Jordan River” during flood stage?
  2. The Jordan River was in flood stage from the spring runoff from the mountains. It made the Jordan Valley in some areas many feet deep in water and impossible to cross.

[BSG:] The task set before Joshua seemed to involve overwhelming challenges. The walls of the Canaanite cities appeared unassailable, and the population of the land was trained for battle. In contrast, the Israelites, simple nomads, did not possess even the most primitive war machines to take on the fortified walls. History tells us that not even Egypt, the superpower of those times, was able to gain a steady foothold in Canaan.

Yet, the summons to be strong and courageous is not related here only to battle morale or to war strategies. Courage and strength are needed to stay faithful to the Torah [sic] and its specific requirements, which defined Israel’s covenant with Yahweh [sic].—BSG* for Wednesday, October 1.‡

  1. God does not ask His modern-day Christians to engage in open military conflict. So, why did He give these instructions inEphesians 6:10-18?

Ephesians 6:10-18: [Paul, writing from prison in Rome:] 10 Finally, build up your strength in union with the Lord and by means of his mighty power. 11Put on all the armor that God gives you, so that you will be able to stand up against the Devil’s evil tricks. 12For we are not fighting against human beings but against the wicked spiritual forces in the heavenly world, the rulers, authorities, and cosmic powers of this dark age. 13So put on God’s armor now! Then when the evil day comes, you will be able to resist the enemy’s attacks; and after fighting to the end, you will still hold your ground. [Paul was probably chained to a Roman soldier as he wrote this!]

14 So stand ready, with truth as a belt tight round your waist, with righteousness as your breastplate, 15and as your shoes the readiness to announce the Good News of peace. 16At all times carry faith as a shield; for with it you will be able to put out all the burning arrows shot by the Evil One. 17And accept salvation as a helmet, and the word of God as the sword which the Spirit gives you. 18Do all this in prayer, asking for God’s help. Pray on every occasion, as the Spirit leads. For this reason keep alert and never give up; pray always for all God’s people.—Good News Bible-TEV.*†‡

  1. We still have to fight our own sinful tendencies and fight against the many hosts of wickedness that surround us.
  2. How can we resist, even ignore, the approaches of the wicked world and move forward according to God’s plan for us? It is impossible to avoid temptations in our world today!
  3. Trying to obey God’s commandments does not involve legalism.

[T-BSG:] Thus, any legalistic view of the law of God is not aligned with the biblical view of obedience. Obedience is always a human response to the divine initiative to bless the people of God. Salvation was never, and is not, reliant on human accomplishments, nor will it ever rely on human accomplishments. Such a legalistic view of the Old Testament law distorts its true purpose. Roy Gane aptly affirms: “If we overcome our neglect of biblical law, won’t this lead to legalism? Not if we understand the purpose of God’s law. It is a standard of acting and thinking in harmony with God’s character of love. It is not, cannot be, and never was intended to be a means to salvation. Doing right can never redeem us from our mortality or past sins. Only God’s grace through Christ’s sacrifice, received by faith, can do that. God’s commandments are for people who are already delivered.”—Roy Gane, Leviticus, Numbers: The NIV Application Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2004), p. 310.—T-BSG* 14-15.†‡§

  1. Our past sins are a part of the permanent record of history. They can never be changed. However, God’s challenge to us is to do better in the future, stop sinning, and “grow in grace.”

[EGW:] Satan has an accurate knowledge of the sins that he has tempted God’s people to commit, and he urges his accusations against them, declaring, that by their sins they have forfeited divine protection, and claiming that he has the right to destroy them.—Ellen G. White, Prophets and Kings* 588.3.†‡ [Satan knows our sins; God knows everything!]‡

[https://egwwritings.org/read?panels=p88.2625&index=0]‡

  1. God has often commanded His faithful followers to do what might seem like incredible things. See, for example: Choosing a wife for Isaac (Genesis 24:40); Predicting the coming Messiah (Isaiah 53:10); and True happiness (Psalm 1:1-3).
  2. God intends for us to succeed in our efforts to follow His plans for us. We will prosper, and we will in God’s terms “be wise.”

[BSG:] According to this insight, success is not necessarily defined as material prosperity, though it does not exclude it. Success has to be seen as a state of harmony with the spiritual values and principles that lie at the foundation of God’s created world and that are expressed in His law.—BSG* for Thursday, October 2.‡ [SeeRomans 13:8-10.]‡

  1. Some people try to tell us that there is a conflict between faith and obedience to the law. Paul had a response to that in Romans 3.

Romans 3:31: Does this mean that by this faith we do away with the Law? No, not at all; instead, we uphold the Law.—Good News Bible-TEV.* [See Romans 1-3.]‡

  1. Bible writers, especially the psalmists, seemed to find great pleasure in keeping God’s law. Why do you think that is?

[T-BSG:] The wisdom literature in the Old Testament, which comprises the books of Job, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes, plus some psalms, explores two prominent themes: Creation and law. These books demonstrate how Creation and law should impact the way that believers relate to God and to one another. There is, in fact, a close relationship between law and wisdom. This relationship is already apparent inDeuteronomy 4:6: “ ‘Therefore be careful to observe them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who will hear all these statutes, and say, “Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people” ’ ” (NKJV). The greatness of Israel would not be found in wealth and military power but in wisdom resulting from the faithful observance of God’s commandments. Naturally, success and prosperity would follow. Such success and prosperity can be seen in the results of Solomon’s request for wisdom (1 Kings 3:13).—T-BSG* 15.†‡§

  1. Real obedience means coming to know God and choosing to do right because it is right because that is what we want to do!

[EGW:] All true obedience comes from the heart. It was heart work with Christ. And if we consent, He will so identify Himself with our thoughts and aims, so blend our hearts and minds into conformity to His will, that when obeying Him we shall be but carrying out our own impulses. The will, refined and sanctified, will find its highest delight in doing His service. When we know God as it is our privilege to know Him, our life will be a life of continual obedience. Through an appreciation of the character of Christ, through communion with God, sin will become hateful to us.—Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages* 668.3.†‡ [Do we hate sin?]‡

[https://egwwritings.org/read?panels=p130.3287&index=0]‡

  1. That might seem like an impossible task. But, God is ready to help us if we are willing to let Him.

[EGW:] In His promises and warnings, Jesus means me. God so loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son, that I by believing in Him, might not perish, but have everlasting life. The experiences related in God’s word are to be my experiences. Prayer and promise, precept and warning, are mine. “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me.”Galatians 2:20. As faith thus receives and assimilates the principles of truth, they become a part of the being and the motive power of the life. The word of God, received into the soul, molds the thoughts, and enters into the development of character.—Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages* 390.5-391.0.‡§

[https://egwwritings.org/read?panels=p130.1880&index=0]‡

[EGW:] Many young men are sent forth to labor who do not understand the plan of salvation and what true conversion is; in fact, they need to be converted. We need to be enlightened on this point, and the ministers need to be educated to dwell more particularly upon the subjects which explain true conversion. All who are baptized are to give evidence that they have been converted. There is not a point that needs to be dwelt upon more earnestly, repeated more frequently, or established more firmly in the minds of all than the impossibility of fallen man meriting anything by his own best good works. Salvation is through faith in Jesus Christ alone.—Ellen G. White, Faith and Works* 18.3-19.0.†‡ [https://egwwritings.org/read?panels=p31.52&index=0]‡

  1. We certainly recognize that Joshua’s experiences and circumstances were very different from ours. What parallels can we draw between his experience and ours? Don’t we have very powerful promises from God if we are willing to follow them? Would you describe Joshua as successful? Notice this specific promise from God.

Joshua 1:5: “Joshua, no one will be able to defeat you as long as you live. I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will always be with you; I will never abandon you.”—Good News Bible-TEV.*

  1. Would you feel comfortable stepping into a raging, flooded river that was up to several miles across based only on words given to Joshua?
  2. What kind promises do we have from God for us today?

Matthew 28:20: “And teach them to obey everything I have commanded you. And I will be with you always, to the end of the age.”—Good News Bible-TEV.*

Women Can Inherit Land!

  1. In ancient times, society was patriarchal; everything was passed down from father to son.
  2. It is very important that one other thing be settled while Moses was still leader. The people were to be instructed that women can also inherit property if they have no brothers. Notice this challenge inNumbers 27:1-13.

Numbers 27:1-13: 1Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah were the daughters of Zelophehad son of Hepher, son of Gilead, son of Machir, son of Manasseh, son of Joseph. 2They went and stood before Moses, Eleazar the priest, the leaders, and the whole community at the entrance of the Tent of the Lord’s presence and said, 3“Our father died in the wilderness without leaving any sons. He was not among the followers of Korah, who rebelled against the Lord; he died because of his own sin. 4Just because he had no sons, why should our father’s name disappear from Israel? Give us property among our father’s relatives.”

5 Moses presented their case to the Lord, 6and the Lord said to him, 7“What the daughters of Zelophehad request is right; give them property among their father’s relatives. Let his inheritance pass on to them. 8Tell the people of Israel that whenever a man dies without leaving a son, his daughter is to inherit his property. 9If he has no daughter, his brothers are to inherit it. 10If he has no brothers, his father’s brothers are to inherit it. 11If he has no brothers or uncles, then his nearest relative is to inherit it and hold it as his own property. The people of Israel are to observe this as a legal requirement, just as I, the Lord, have commanded you.”—Good News Bible-TEV.*†

©2025, Kenneth Hart, MD, MA, MPH. Permission is hereby granted for any noncommercial use of these materials. Free distribution of all or of a portion of this material such as to a Bible study class is encouraged. *Electronic version. †Bold type is added. ‡Brackets and content in brackets are added. §Italic type is in the source.    Last Modified: September 17, 2025                                Email: Info@theox.org