CMP Review 2025-02-02

CMP Review 2025-02-02

In Numbers 27 the daughters of Zelophehad came to Moses crying out for justice. “Our father died in the wilderness,” they pleaded; “Why should the name of our father be removed from among his family because he had no son? Give us a possession among our father’s brothers.”

Moses brought their case before the Lord and then gave them an inheritance.

Centuries later in a situation recorded only by Luke, a man came to Jesus crying out for justice. “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”

Jesus’ response was dramatically different from that of Moses. “Jesus rejected the role of judge or divider of inheritances, even though Moses had handled a similar request” explains R. Alan Culpepper. “Jesus rejects the man’s request because he will not participate in satisfying the greed that he senses had prompted it. Instead of helping the man to get his inheritance, he points the man to a different understanding of life. Life is not to be valued or measured in terms of wealth or possessions. One may gain the whole world and lose one’s soul… On the other hand, true blessing comes to those who hear the Word of God and do it.”

Charlotte Mason brings the scene to life in her poem on this passage. Read or hear it here, along with commentary by J. R. Dummelow.

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