A word on the daughters of Zelophehad

Now faith is the assurance of what we hope for and the certainty of what we do not see' (Hebrews 11:1)

The book of Numbers is given that name because in contains are two censuses.  One at the beginning and one at end of the book. 

Both censuses are of fighting men aged twenty years are older.  The Levites are not counted because they did not fight.

The censuses are forty years apart.  By the second census all those recorded in the first census have died, except for Caleb and Joshua (Moses is not yet dead, but he will not enter the Promised Land).

The second census records a slight decrease of the first.  God had intended for his people to multiply, but this had been a stagnant period of time.

The second census is bookended by mention of the daughters of Zelophehad.  They give us hope that the new generation will be more faithful than the last.

These women care about justice, for their father.  He had died with five daughters but no sons.  Without sons his name--and any allotment of land in his name--would vanish.  The sisters mention that Zelophehad had not taken part in the rebellion of Korah.  He was a normal sinner who died a normal death.  God makes provision for the daughters to inherit and for the land to remain in the tribe, the tribe of Manasseh.

The reason that these women are to be admired so much is that they are exercising great faith. They weren't questioning God's ability to give them the land.  they are already planning what to do when they get there.

Now faith is the assurance of what we hope for and the certainty of what we do not see' (Hebrews 11:1)