“Then drew near the daughters of Zelophehad… They stood before Moses.., ‘Our father died in the wilderness… and he had no sons… Give to us a possession among our father’s brothers.’
“Moses brought their case before the Lord. And the Lord said to Moses, ‘The daughters of Zelophehad are right. You shall give them possession… and transfer the inheritance of their father to them. And you shall speak to the people of Israel, saying, “If a man dies and has no son, then you shall transfer his inheritance to his daughter…”’
“The Lord said to Moses, ‘Go up into this mountain of Abarim and see the land that I have given to the people of Israel. When you have seen it, you also shall be gathered to your people…’ Moses spoke to the Lord, ‘Let the Lord, the God of the spirits of all flesh, appoint a man over the congregation who shall go out before them and come in before them, who shall lead them out and bring them in, that the congregation of the Lord may not be as sheep that have no shepherd.’ So the Lord said to Moses, ‘Take Joshua, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay your hand on him. Make him stand before Eleazar the priest and all the congregation, and commission him in their sight. You shall invest him with some of your authority, that all the congregation of the people of Israel may obey… At his word they shall go out, and at his word they shall come in, both he and all the people of Israel with him, the whole congregation.’ And Moses… laid his hands on [Joshua] and commissioned him as the Lord directed.” Numbers 27:1-8,12-13,15-21,23
As the Lord established Israel, He ordained the inheritance of land and succession of leaders to preserve and provide for His chosen people. In wisdom He cared and counseled for individuals and the whole, intending their continuum under His lordship. He answered their requests and upheld His larger plan as a faithful Shepherd.
There come times of reckoning for us all, moments of decision making, stepping away from a work or service and passing the baton, or closing our eyes for the final time before waking in glory. While there is a uniqueness in each of us that cannot be imparted, some things of which we have been stewards will be passed on. How we handle them in the preparation and the passing is important to the Lord and vital in the carrying out of His will.
Do I value the gifts and heritage of God enough to take full possession, to seek His direction and help in timing and methods for both implementation and impartation? What resources and responsibilities has God entrusted to us? What aspects of our spiritual inheritance do we daily employ? Do we take them gratefully and seriously for the Lord’s sake, and not for granted? How well do we manage them for maximum effectiveness and multiplication, and plan for their release? Is my handling of these positions and possessions redolent of greed and control, or faithfulness for the season? (Psalm 16:6; 61:5; Romans 8:16-17; Ephesians 1:3,13-14,18-19; 1 Peter 5:2-3)
Lord, may I value all You’ve entrusted to me, including the treasures of those who’ve gone before, and generously pass on the riches of Your grace, truth, and love that Your glory be praised.
As the rain and snow 