Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah

Numbers 27

It bothered me for the longest time that this story is called “the Daughters of Zelophehad,” I think it bothered me, in part because there are so many stories where the female character has no name except for her relationship to another person (the Daughter of Japheth) or a place (the woman at the well), it’s frustrating that when the characters actually have names, we don’t use them.

This story is about Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah; five amazing women.  Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah and Tirzah come before the congregation and demand equality.  No matter how many times I read this story, I’m always surprised by their brazenness.  Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah and Tirzah are part of a generation that saw God utterly destroy those who failed to follow, they saw what happened when individuals questioned God’s appointed leader.  They had seen their community wiped out with plagues, and swallowed up by the earth.  They knew the risk that they took when the stood before the congregation and demanded their rightful inheritance, and there they stood. Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah and Tirzah stood asking that they, daughters of the covenant, could protect and preserve their family’s inheritance.

I wonder what they were thinking, if they were nervous or if they were sure.  I know I would be terrified.  But Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah and Tirzah stand up and speak. They demand justice, more than demanding justice; they demand to be counted as inheritors to the promise.

Not only do they speak up, but God agrees with them.  This isn’t a decision that Moses utters, the response is God’s.  God, in all of God’s Glory, declares the sisters right in their argument.  God outlines inheritance laws that assure women have the opportunity to inherit.  Now, let’s not mistake these particular laws with a fair and equitable society, but it was a step in the right direction.

Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah stood up and God listened.  God listened to them because their cause was just.  Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah stood up and the system changed. The system changed because the one in power—God—was willing to listen, and was willing speak out in support. Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah took a risk to claim their place in the story of Israel. Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah took a risk to claim their place in the story of the people of God, and in doing so they changed the very structure that community. In doing so, they helped teach the people of God something about God.

I wonder what parts of my inheritance I am reticent to claim?

What about you?

Getting started

I promised someone, that if my church- First Presbyterian in Bloomington IN would try a "year of the bible" I would try Blogging.  I had hoped that that promise would be quickly forgotten once everyone began the exciting task of reading scripture in community. Hahahaha. 

So, this blog is a promise kept.  I never said I would be exceptionally insightful or even particularly interesting; but I am going to try nonetheless.

What are you reading? What verses have surprised you?

I am currently reading Deuteronomy chapters 12-14 and reading psalms 105-110. 

Happy reading!