Challenge It!

Numbers 27:⁸ “And give the following instructions to the people of Israel: If a man dies and has no son, then give his inheritance to his daughters.”

Matthew 12:¹² “Of how much more value is a man than a sheep! So it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.” (ESV). Jesus was saying there is value in My challenging the norm. I am doing it because of value. On your journey to restoration, you will have to challenge the status quo for you to deliver the value that God has in mind for you. Or for that value to be delivered to you. There is a story in Numbers 27:1-11 (please read), it is a fantastic story, and I want to encourage you to read it with your children, particularly if you have daughters, you can read it with them. It is the story of the daughters of Zelophehad.

It was the law of the land that women at the time did not have access to inheritance. Zelophehad had five daughters, and after their father passed, his daughters had an issue with the norm. So, they went to Moses and the elders, and they said in Numbers 27:^3-4 “Our father died in the wilderness,” they said. “He was not among Korah’s followers, who rebelled against the Lord; he died because of his own sin. But he had no sons. Why should the name of our father disappear from his clan just because he had no sons? Give us property along with the rest of our relatives.” The elders could have just easily dismissed them and said to them, “It is the law!” But when Moses heard their case, he said wait, let me ask the Lord.

When Moses asked, the Lord said to Moses in Numbers 27:⁷ “The claim of the daughters of Zelophehad is legitimate. You must give them a grant of land along with their father’s relatives. Assign them the property that would have been given to their father.” Not only did God say the ladies were correct, but He also instructed Moses to change the Law. I pray in the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, that the law will be changed for you and changed in your favour. You have to step up and challenge the norms. Note that I am not saying that you should cause trouble or be rebellious. The daughters of Zelophehad were respectful, not rebellious.

The same way Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego showed honour and respect to King Nebuchadnezzar on the matter of bowing to the gold statue. But they said, on this matter we will not obey you because we would rather obey the Living God than obey you because you are just a king. They challenged the norm. In challenging the norm, you have to do it respectfully, and you have to do it understanding authority, but not succumbing to injustice.

Prayer: Father, even as I identify and challenge the norms in my life, help me to do it with understanding and respect, and please back me up, in the Name of Jesus. Amen!