Justice in Action: Tirzah and Zelophehad's Daughters

Today's Verse

"Then came the daughters of Zelophehad, the son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, of the families of Manasseh the son of Joseph: and these are the names of his daughters; Mahlah, Noah, and Hoglah, and Milcah, and Tirzah. And they stood before Moses, and before Eleazar the priest, and before the princes and all the congregation, by the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, saying, Our father died in the wilderness, and he was not in the company of them that gathered themselves together against the LORD in the company of Korah; but died in his own sin, and had no sons. Why should the name of our father be done away from among his family, because he hath no son? Give unto us therefore a possession among the brethren of our father. And Moses brought their cause before the LORD. And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, The daughters of Zelophehad speak right: thou shalt surely give them a possession of an inheritance among their father's brethren; and thou shalt cause the inheritance of their father to pass unto them. And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a man die, and have no son, then ye shall cause his inheritance to pass unto his daughter. And if he have no daughter, then ye shall give his inheritance unto his brethren. And if he have no brethren, then ye shall give his inheritance unto his father's brethren. And if his father have no brethren, then ye shall give his inheritance unto his kinsman that is next to him of his family, and he shall possess it: and it shall be unto the children of Israel a statute of judgment, as the LORD commanded Moses."

Reflection

Tirzah and her sisters bravely approached Moses to claim their father's inheritance. The Lord affirmed their claim, setting a precedent for justice. Today, we are reminded to stand up for what is right, even when it challenges established norms. Justice often requires courage and a willingness to speak out.

Justice requires our active participation and courage.

1-Minute Study: Understanding justice

In the story of Zelophehad's daughters, we see a profound example of justice in action. Their boldness led to a divine affirmation that changed inheritance laws, ensuring fairness for future generations. Justice, as seen here, is not just an abstract concept but an actionable virtue. In Micah 6:8, we are reminded to 'do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God.' This passage underscores the importance of justice as a daily practice, weaving it into the fabric of our interactions and decisions.

Cross References: Micah 6:8 • Isaiah 1:17 • James 1:27

Prayer of the Day

Heavenly Father, grant us the courage of Zelophehad's daughters, to stand for justice and fairness. May we seek Your guidance in all our actions, striving always to uphold what is right. Amen.

Today's Challenge

Identify a situation in your community where justice is needed and take one step to address it.

Sacred Art Spotlight

The daughters of Zelophehad stand before Moses, seeking justice.