Scripture: Numbers 27:1-11
In Numbers 27:1-11, we encounter Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milkah, and Tirzah—daughters of Zelophehad—who boldly approach Moses and the assembly with an unprecedented request: to receive their father’s inheritance since he left no sons. Their courage and faith result in a remarkable response. God acknowledges their plea and instructs Moses to amend the inheritance laws, ensuring justice for them and future generations.
This story raises a challenging question: Did God change, or did the people’s understanding of God evolve? Pastor David posed this question in his sermon, inviting us to wrestle with how we interpret Scripture. Is God’s justice fixed, or is it continually unfolding as humanity grows in its capacity to understand and embody divine love and mercy?
I want to give you two different perspectives to consider as you think through this question, but both lead to the same answer. God’s grace is ever-expanding:
- Pete Enns suggests that the Bible portrays moments where God literally changes God’s mind in response to human advocacy. You can explore this view further in an excerpt from his book, Inspiration and Incarnation: Evangelicals and the Problem of the Old Testament: Does God Change His Mind?.
- Brian Zahnd offers a different perspective, emphasizing that it’s not God who changes but rather our understanding of God. We grow, mature, and see more clearly the expansive grace that was there all along. Read more here: God and Genocide
Which perspective resonates with you? Do you believe God’s justice is fixed, or are we the ones throughout the Bible expanding our understanding of grace and mercy? Perhaps the truth lies in holding these tensions together—trusting the Holy Spirit to guide us into deeper truth while remaining open to the mystery of God’s wild and free nature.
As Richard Rohr reminds us:
“Now, believe it or not, we are threatened by such a free God threatens us because it takes away all of our ability to control or engineer the process. It leaves us powerless, and changes the language from any language of performance or achievement to that of surrender, trust and vulnerability…That is the so-called “wildness” of God. We cannot control God by any means whatsoever, not even by our good behavior, which tends to be our first and natural instinct.”
Prayer: Gracious God, we thank You for the example of Zelophehad’s daughters, whose boldness expanded the community’s understanding of justice. Help us to remain open to Your Spirit’s guidance and to grow in our understanding of Your mercy and grace. May we listen, learn, and respond with courage to reflect Your unfolding love in our lives. Amen.
Thought for the Day: God’s grace invites us into an ever-expanding journey of discovery and transformation.