What a mark of distinction for five sisters to have their names recorded four times over by God in His scriptures! You will find them in Numbers 26:3333And Zelophehad the son of Hepher had no sons, but daughters: and the names of the daughters of Zelophehad were Mahlah, and Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. (Numbers 26:33); Numbers 27:1111And if his father have no brethren, then ye shall give his inheritance unto his kinsman that is next to him of his family, and he shall possess it: and it shall be unto the children of Israel a statute of judgment, as the Lord commanded Moses. (Numbers 27:11), Numbers 36; and Joshua 17:3-63But Zelophehad, the son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, had no sons, but daughters: and these are the names of his daughters, Mahlah, and Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. 4And they came near before Eleazar the priest, and before Joshua the son of Nun, and before the princes, saying, The Lord commanded Moses to give us an inheritance among our brethren. Therefore according to the commandment of the Lord he gave them an inheritance among the brethren of their father. 5And there fell ten portions to Manasseh, beside the land of Gilead and Bashan, which were on the other side Jordan; 6Because the daughters of Manasseh had an inheritance among his sons: and the rest of Manasseh's sons had the land of Gilead. (Joshua 17:3‑6). We may well mention them here-Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah and Tirzah.
And why were they thus honored? It was just this: their hearts were set on enjoying to the full the present possession of the inheritance Jehovah had for His people, and this delighted His heart. They grasped what His will was for Israel-the immediate possession of the promised land-and although, as yet, no provision was made by law for them, being women, their hearts were so set on having a part in the division of the land that they bring their cause to Moses. He willingly makes their request known to God, and an immediate answer of definite approval is the result. "The Lord spake." He deigns to voice a distinct command, promising the fulfillment of the desires of these zealous maidens of Israel. "The daughters of Zelophehad speak right: thou shalt surely give them a possession of an inheritance among their father's brethren." Numbers 27:77The daughters of Zelophehad speak right: thou shalt surely give them a possession of an inheritance among their father's brethren; and thou shalt cause the inheritance of their father to pass unto them. (Numbers 27:7). This divine declaration is ratified by a new statute providing the same privilege for all Israelitish women in the same circumstances. They were anxious to continue their father's name in their tribe, as he had no son to succeed to his inheritance. How this shows God's entire appreciation of any individual heart-response to the blessings His love has provided for His own!
Now, for His heavenly people, God has "an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven." 1 Peter 1:44To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, (1 Peter 1:4).
Does this appeal to the hearts of us who are His? Do we desire, through faith and by the Spirit's power, to enjoy the possession in our souls of its joys now? Oh, that it may be so!
These women belonged to the tribe of Manasseh, and their purpose of heart is in striking contrast to the half-heartedness of the other half tribe that requested that they might have their inheritance on the east side of Jordan (Numbers 32). They were content with possessions, wealth and pleasures on this side of Jordan, and when the heads of families themselves crossed the Jordan to help their brethren conquer the land, they left all they held dear behind. When the warfare was over and rest was in view, they returned, leaving the place where the Lord's presence was known and the fellowship of their brethren, to enjoy the life they had chosen for themselves, separated from the Lord and the rest of His people.
What a solemn lesson for us! Is there any danger of our hearts being held by the pleasures and prosperity of this scene which must be terminated by death, when it is our privilege to have our treasure and inheritance above, beyond the reach of death, and our hearts set on them there?
When it came to the actual division of the land by Joshua, the five sisters again came forward to claim their promised possessions. Did the Lord consider an inheritance with their brethren on the east of Jordan good enough for them? No, indeed! God never disappoints hearts that are in harmony with His will, and that desire to enjoy and appreciate His blessings for them. Referring to Joshua 17:5-75And there fell ten portions to Manasseh, beside the land of Gilead and Bashan, which were on the other side Jordan; 6Because the daughters of Manasseh had an inheritance among his sons: and the rest of Manasseh's sons had the land of Gilead. 7And the coast of Manasseh was from Asher to Michmethah, that lieth before Shechem; and the border went along on the right hand unto the inhabitants of En-tappuah. (Joshua 17:5‑7), we learn distinctly that the portion of the sisters was in the land on the west of Jordan. We read (v. 6), "The daughters of Manasseh had an inheritance among his sons: and the rest of Manasseh's sons had the land of Gilead" (east of Jordan).
Notice another important thing: God makes a stipulation to which they agree and closely adhere. They may marry whom they see fit, but it must be in their own tribe. In other words, their affections and relationships must be subject to and suitable to their destiny. They must in no way mar their inheritance or interfere with their enjoyment of it.
In forming new relationships, let us see to it that they are "in the Lord," and then they will not lessen, but rather strengthen, our enjoyment of the joys which the Lord desires we should possess in spirit here and now.