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Numbers Chapter
Thirty-six
Numbers 36
Chapter Contents
The inheritance of the daughters of Zelophehad. (1-4) The
daughters of Zelophehad are to marry in their own tribe. (5-12) Conclusion.
(13)
Commentary on Numbers 36:1-4
The heads of the tribe of Manasseh represent the evil
which might follow
if the daughters of Zelophehad should marry into any other
tribes. They sought to preserve the Divine appointment of inheritances
and
that contests and quarrels should not rise among those who should come
afterwards. It is the wisdom and duty of those who have estates in the world
to settle them
and to dispose of them
so that no strife and contention may
arise.
Commentary on Numbers 36:5-12
Those who consult the oracles of God
concerning the
making of their heavenly inheritance sure
shall not only be directed what to
do
but their inquiries shall be graciously accepted. God would not have one
tribe enriched at the expense of another. Each tribe was to keep to its own
inheritance. The daughters of Zelophehad submitted to this appointment. How
could they fail to marry well
when God himself directed them? Let the people
of God learn how suitable and proper it is
like the daughters of Israel
to be
united only to their own people. Ought not every true believer Israel
to be
united only to their own people. Ought not every true believer in Jesus
to be
very attentive in the near and tender relations of life
to be united only to
such as are united to the Lord? All our intentions and inclinations ought to be
subjected to the will of God
when that is made known to us
and especially in
contracting marriage. Although the word of God allows affection and preference
in this important relation
it does not sanction that foolish
ungovernable
and idolatrous passion
which cares not what may be the end; but in defiance of
authority
determines upon self-gratification. All such conduct
however
disguised
is against common sense
the interests of society
the happiness of
the marriage relation
and
what is still more evil
against the religion of
Christ.
Commentary on Numbers 36:13
These are the judgments the Lord commanded in the plains
of Moab. Most of them related to the settlement in Canaan
into which the
Israelites were now entering. Whatever new condition God
by his providence
brings us into
we must beg him to teach us the duties of it
and to enable us
to do them
that we may do the work of the day in its day
the duty of a place
in its place.
── Matthew Henry《Concise Commentary on
Numbers》
Numbers 36
Verse 2
[2] And they said
The LORD commanded my lord to give the
land for an inheritance by lot to the children of Israel: and my lord was
commanded by the LORD to give the inheritance of Zelophehad our brother unto
his daughters.
Our brother - Our kinsman.
Verse 6
[6] This is the thing which the LORD doth command concerning
the daughters of Zelophehad
saying
Let them marry to whom they think best;
only to the family of the tribe of their father shall they marry.
To the family — They seem hereby to he confined
not only to the same tribe
but also to the family of their tribe
as appears
from the reason of the law
for God would have the inheritance of families as
well as tribes kept entire and unmixed.
Verse 8
[8] And every daughter
that possesseth an inheritance in
any tribe of the children of Israel
shall be wife unto one of the family of
the tribe of her father
that the children of Israel may enjoy every man the
inheritance of his fathers.
The inheritance of his fathers — This law was not
general to forbid every woman to marry into another tribe
as may be reasonably
concluded from the practice of so many patriarchs
kings
priests
and other
holy men
who have married women of other tribes
yea sometimes of other
nations
but restrained to heiresses
or such as were likely to be so. But if
they had brethren
they were free to marry into any tribe
yet so that
if
their brethren died
the inheritance went from them to the next a-kin of their
father's tribe and family. And the principal reason why God was solicitous to
preserve tribes and families unmixed was
that the tribe and family too
out of
which the Messiah was to come
and by which he should be known
might be
evident and unquestionable.
── John Wesley《Explanatory Notes on Numbers》
36 Chapter 36
Verses 1-13
Let them marry to whom they think best; only to the family of the
tribe of their father shall they marry.
The law for the marriage of heiresses
I. The case stated
(Numbers 36:1-4). These proceedings of the
heads of this family were orderly
respectful
reasonable
and commendable.
II. The case
adjudicated (Numbers 36:5-9).
1. The righteousness of the case was acknowledged.
2. The difficulty of the case was removed.
3. The decision in this case was made the law for all similar cases.
4. The decision of this case was of Divine authority.
III. The
adjudication acted upon (Numbers 36:10-12). “They married their
father’s brothers’ sons. By this it
appears
” says Matthew Henry--
“1. That
the marriage of cousin-germans is not in itself unlawful
nor within the
degrees prohibited
for then God would not haw countenanced these marriages.
But--
2. That ordinarily it is not advisable; for
if there had not been a
particular reason for it (which cannot hold in any case now
inheritances being
not disposed of as then by the special designation of Heaven)
they would not
have married such near relations. The world is wide
and he that walks
uprightly will endeavour to walk surely.” (W. Jones.)
Marriage
1. That marriage is a Divine institution.
2. That the obligations involved in marriage are binding and sacred.
I. That persons
should not be coerced in marriage.
1. Personal choice as opposed to compulsion.
2. Personal affection as opposed to mere convenience.
II. That there are
important considerations which should regulate the choice in respect to
marriage.
1. As to property.
2. As to consanguinity.
3. As to health.
4. As to suitability.
5. As to character. (W. Jones.)
Sensible marriage
No laws
however excellent
express
or multiplied
can reach
every particular case which may arise; and still room will be left for the
exercise of sound judgment and common sense. But when these are regulated
according to the true meaning of the Word of God
and in dependence on Divine
teaching
they will guide us through all perplexities
as far as our immediate
duty is concerned. Yet the Lord frequently leaves us to feel our difficulties
that we may be habituated to reflect to search the Scriptures
and to trust Him
more simply. All our inclinations ought to be subjected to the will of God: and
in contracting marriage
future consequences to posterity
as well as to
ourselves and our connections
should be taken into consideration. The
Scriptures indeed suppose that esteem
affection
and preference are requisite
in this important relation: but they know nothing of that irrational
ungovernable
and idolatrous passion
which
regardless of all consequences
and in defiance all authority
rushes headlong upon gratification; which is
neither moderated by discretion
nor subordinated to the will of God; which is
not rational esteem
nor tender friendship
nor congenial affection
but
something vastly more rapturous
unintelligible
and undefinable: and which
with all its refinements
is inconsistent with common sense
the interests of
society
the happiness of domestic life
and the Christian religion. Finally
though it is prudent to foresee and prevent disputes about temporal property
it would be better if we were equally quicksighted and attentive in respect of
our spiritual and eternal interests. But “the children of this world are wiser
in their generation than the children of light.” (Thomas Scott.)
──《The Biblical Illustrator》