By Kelly Shaw
As the Israelites passed through the wilderness those 40 long years, one thought kept them walking; one thought moved them past the pain; one thought called them onward … they were going to possess their inheritance.
Since the days of Abraham, God had promised one day the Israelites would possess a land flowing with milk and honey. Journeying through Canaan and Egypt over the years, they felt weary and wondered when they would see the promise come to pass.
They had faced the challenges of famine, oppression and bondage. Yet, the Lord had not ceased to be faithful.
He had sent a deliverer. He had preserved for Himself one who would lead His people out of the darkness and into His glorious inheritance for them. During these wilderness years, Zelophehad died and left behind five daughters – Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah.
At this time in Israelite history, women did not receive any inheritance. It was expected the daughters would all get married, and their husbands would provide land for them.
However, these five women were not content waiting to possess their inheritance through someone else. They understood the importance of their inheritance. It was not merely a piece of land, but a blessing received from God for each of the tribes of Israel. The daughters wanted their clan to receive their rightful part and not be cut out of the blessing.
However, the cost of blessing required going before Moses, Eleazar, the leaders, and all the congregation of Israel to ask for something never done before. (Numbers 27:1-7)
These five daughters possessed fearless courage in the face of tradition, speaking to the greatest authority in Israel, Moses. They did not whine and complain about their situation. They did not wait for a miracle. They went and presented their case.
Psalm 2:8 says, “Ask of Me, and I will give You the nations for Your inheritance, and the ends of the earth for Your possession.”
Today, we have received a promise from the Lord. Our inheritance is for every ethnic people group to hear a culturally relevant witness of the gospel. Do we yearn for this inheritance? Do we understand the importance of this promise? Do we personally want to receive the blessing? Are we content for someone else possess our portion?
“And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.” – Matthew 24:14
The Lord is waiting on us to possess our inheritance so He can return in all His glory. We can make excuses. But we are cheating ourselves of the inheritance God has destined for us.
The five daughters of Zelophehad got it. They did not make excuses. They knew it would be difficult and there would be people that disagreed with what they were doing. But it did not stop them. A deep conviction moved them to possess their inheritance.
The calling for possessing our inheritance extends to every believer. We need to put away the excuses, and ask what the Lord would have us do to possess our inheritance.
Called to pray for an unengaged people group? There are still 440 unengaged people groups who have no witness and no one trying to reach them. The time has come for the Church to prevail upon God through prayer to see a witness among these who haven’t had a chance to say “Yes!” to Jesus.
Called to give? Fearless courage in giving is saying no to the world’s standards of success and sacrificially giving to see the gospel among those who have never heard. Courage is cutting my budget by $20 so I can give to missions every month. Courage is a church sending a message bearer to the unengaged and promising to support them. If we believe in the promise, faith will arise, arrest our fears and give us the victory.
Called to mobilize? Some are called to mobilize the Church toward the inheritance promised, reminding her Jesus is waiting on us to possess every people group. The unengaged have no voice unless we advocate on their behalf. Fearless courage helps others overcome doubts and encourage them not to give up on going to those who have never heard.
Called to go to an unengaged people group? If yes, take the first step today. Make a declaration before the Lord with the same fearless courage the five daughters of Zelophehad possessed. Then talk to family and church leaders about God’s calling.
Today is the day to find our role. Today is the day to begin possessing our inheritance.
