Tag: obedient faith
Hoglah, a daughter of faith!
Scripture reading for February 18th: Numbers 26-30
I sometimes teased my daughters that I strongly considered the biblical name “Hoglah” for naming them! My wife and I raised lots of hogs in our early years so this would fit our past life! Somehow, they never have thought that was funny! But in today’s reading, Hoglah is a daughter to be proud of! She is a pioneer in the “women’s rights” movement, way ahead of her time!
In Numbers 27 we have a record of five daughters of a man by the name of Zelophehad. This man had died during the march through the desert. His daughters went before the Tent of Meeting and petitioned Moses for an unusual request. They wanted to be allowed to inherit the property of their father. One of their talking points was that their Dad had not been a part of Korah’s rebellion. He had simply died as a result of his own sins. (Numbers 27:2-3) Up to that time, no ruling had been made and it was tradition that the sons got the inheritance. These godly daughters felt that was unfair! They wanted equal rights to an inheritance in the promised land! (Numbers 27:4-5) God evidently agreed!
This was a breakthrough for women’s rights and spiritual equality that God had established! Roles for men and women are defined by God and we must accept those roles. But some things are open for negotiation. These women teach us some important lessons. We must all appeal to the Lord and to His established leadership when we need answers. We should abide by the decision of leadership. Some problems in the community of believers must be worked out through prayer and interaction. God will help us as we pray and respectfully work it out.
Their story continues at the end of Numbers, where another question arises concerning their inheritance of property. What if they marry outside of their family? Will that land transfer out of the tribe? God’s answer was that they must marry within the clan to keep the property! These godly women responded in obedience and faith and married their cousins. They kept their property and inheritance! Thank the Lord for daughters like Hoglah who are zealous for their spiritual inheritance and willing to abide by God’s instructions! (Numbers 36:1-12)
“Wash and be Cleansed”
Scripture reading for April 12th: 2nd Kings 4-8
When it comes to healing and other needed miracles, most people have a tendency to think in more complicated terms. If you traveled a great distance to a specialist and then he didn’t even look at you or talk personally with you, you would probably be upset. If the specialist told you something to do that was common and ordinary, you would also probably be skeptical. This is what happened in the reading for today!
Naaman was a commander in the army of Aram (Syria). He was an important man and a valiant soldier but e had a serious illness called leprosy. People with this disease have their skin turn white and begin to come off. They develop very painful sores and must live separated from others to keep from spreading the disease. Naaman had a servant girl who was an Israelite who knew of Elisha the prophet and told Naaman’s wife about this possible cure. Naaman set out for Israel with a letter from the king of Aram to the king of Israel requesting a cure.
The king of Israel was worried that this was an impossible thing and that Aram was picking a fight. Leprosy was not something that was easily cured. Elisha heard about the king’s dilemma and encouraged him to send Naaman to him. When Naaman arrived at the prophet’s residence, Elisha sent word to Naaman, “Go, wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored and you will be cleansed.” (2nd Kings 5:10)
Naaman was furious because his expectations were not met. He had envisioned the healing taking place a certain way and this was so easy. Pride shows itself as anger often and this great man had some. His servants urged Naaman to listen and obey, however, and Naaman did go and wash as the prophet said and was immediately cleansed! Naaman returned to the prophet and tried to pay him but no pay was accepted! (2nd Kings 5:16) The healing was a gift from the Lord demonstrating that the Lord is God!
God loves to confound the proud and cannot be put in a box. Think about this simple example requiring faith and ask God for that kind of obedience to the instructions you already have. If you have a difficult problem or need healing, be open to the simple solutions God sends your way.