Preparing Conquerors (27:1-23)
Neal Pollard
As the book of Numbers gets nearer to the end of the forty years of wandering, plans for conquering ramp up. The previous generation were slaves whose masters provided places for them to settle and live, as subpar as it must have been. This generation were wanderers with no home who at least knew what freedom felt like. God has purged and refined His people.
Establishing the right of inheritance (1-11). The test case are the daughters of Zelophehad (1-7). The ultimate rule established was a line of succession for inheritance–sons, daughters, brothers, uncles, then near kinsmen (8-11). This rule would come into play in Ruth’s life, resulting in marriage to a near kinsman named Boaz, in the lineage of Christ.
Entrusting the rule of the people (12-23). It is time for Moses to die soon. He cannot lead the conquering because of his sin at the waters of Meribah (12-14). The Lord will appoint a man over the congregation (15-17). He will be qualified, a man in whom is the Spirit. He will be appointed, God telling Moses, “lay your hand on him,” have Eleazar “commission him in their sight,” and “put some of your authority on him…that…the sons of Israel may obey him.” As such, he would have delegated authority (21).
Enacting the requirement of God (22-23). This was all about doing what God knew was best and what He wanted done. Thus, they did “just as the Lord commanded” and “just as the Lord had spoken.”
No matter what the issue is, God has an answer for us. Whether it is how we handle the material or the spiritual, we should seek His will and then humbly and completely submit to it. We should be seeking to know what He has to say and what He wants us to do. There is no conquering without this mindset.
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