Skip to content The Daughters of Zelophehad - Part B Sep 8 · 26 min ...more
The Daughters of Zelophehad - Part B
September 8, 2026 · 26 min
Pastor Skip explains why persistent prayer changes more than your circumstances—it keeps your heart from giving up.
Series Connect with Skip Heitzig Podcast September 8, 2026 · 26 min · Connect with Skip Heitzig Podcast
Pastor Skip explains why persistent prayer changes more than your circumstances—it keeps your heart from giving up. ...more Show the full description Show less Pastor Skip explains why persistent prayer changes more than your circumstances—it keeps your heart from giving up.
Series Connect with Skip Heitzig Podcast Support this leader Liking this video? Support this ministry.
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Skip Heitzig ministers to over 15,000 people as senior pastor of Calvary Church in Albuquerque. He reaches out to thousands across the nation and throughout the
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0:01 Welcome to connect with Skip Heitzig. We're so glad you've tuned in today. Our mission is to help people know God more deeply through clear verse by verse bible teaching that brings biblical truth into everyday0:12 life. 1 of the best ways to stay connected is by signing up for pastor Skip's free weekly devotional. You'll receive biblical encouragement, ministry updates, and exclusive ministry content0:24 delivered straight to your inbox. It's completely free and only takes a moment to sign up. Visit connect with skip dot com today. That's connect with skip dot com. Now stay tuned to0:36 hear about a brand new resource that's coming next month and how you can preorder your copy today.0:42 The bible is 1 unified story of God's love and redemption. But sometimes it can be difficult to see how all the pieces fit together. In Soaring Above It All, pastor Skip Heitzig takes0:54 you on a 1 year devotional journey through the entire Bible, highlighting the key people, events, themes, and truths of scripture in a way that's approachable, encouraging, and easy to follow. Preorder1:06 your copy of Soaring Above It All today, wherever you buy books.1:10 Now here's today's message from pastor Skip Heitzig.1:14 Now just remember, I'm taking you back a few studies in this Overlook series. Remember we talked about Jethro, the father-in-law of Moses? Remember what Jethro told Moses to do? He said, Moses,1:26 you're meeting people all day long. You can't handle all these people. They can't handle you. You're going to get tired. They're going to get tired of you. So get 70 men who can oversee all these little petty1:37 disputes, and they'll bring the hard cases to you. Right? This is 1 of those hard cases. Maybe they met with an intermediate leader of 1 of the 70, but now they're taking1:49 this directly to Moses for Moses to get God's will. Now, I think you need to know this because it sort of stuck out to me as I was studying2:01 this, and I'm reading commentaries, I'm reading articles, and I'm going online. Some people want to make these 5 women into the 1st feminists.2:14 And I can't tell you how many articles and books that have kind of cast them as the 1st feminists. 1 source says, this is a defining and2:26 revolutionary moment of early women's rights and civil courage. Another source said, this made the 1st crack to2:37 shatter the glass ceiling in ancient Israel. That phrase glass ceiling, breaking the ceiling, comes from the 1970s, where the idea is breaking barriers that2:49 would prevent women from advancing in society, breaking the glass ceiling. So that's what some are saying about this. Well, that's not true.3:02 After all, they're concerned with what? They're concerned with the name of their father. So this is not an issue of women's rights. This is an issue of3:14 family rights. This is an issue of our father's name and our father's place going forward in Israel. And did you notice that these women bring3:25 up the issue that dad wasn't a part of Korah's gig, his rebellion? Now let me refresh your memory on that. That's back in Numbers chapter 16. There was a guy named Korah who didn't like3:37 Moses all that much, and he got 2 50 other rebels with him to go against and challenge Moses' leadership. And you remember God had a response. God grounded them.3:50 He opened up the ground and swallowed them whole. He grounded them. And so she wants to point out, or these 5 gals, he wasn't a part of that. But notice4:02 they say he died in his own sin. And all that means is he was a part of the normal sinful generation that all died in the desert.4:15 They all died because of their disbelief. They wandered for 40 years. All of that generation except 2, Joshua and Caleb, they all died. He was just a part of that natural4:27 generational death. He died in his own sin. But we get something from this text. We infer that the rebels with Korah Korah and his 24:39 50 not only lost their lives in the judgment, but that their survivors probably lost the land that would have been4:51 given to them in Israel as well. So feminists, no. Courageous, yes. Very courageous, unafraid to stand up for the right reason, and willing to challenge the status5:03 quo with a holy courage for their own future's sake. Ernest Hemingway said, courage is grace under pressure. We5:15 are seeing grace under pressure. Actually, I like it put this way. Courage is just fear that has said its prayers. You might go into a situation and you are5:26 fearful. That's Okay. Courage is where you harness that. Courage is just fear that has said its prayers. If you think about it, courage is a lot like a tea bag.5:38 You never know how strong it is or how good it is until you put it through some hot water. Courage is like that. It's like a tea bag. You put a person through some hot5:50 water, and you see what comes out. So these 5 are courageous. They have a gutsy faith. They come boldly before Moses and Eleazar and the leadership. They knew that things would never6:02 change in Israel unless they seize this moment. So the crisis is followed by their courage. The 3rd phase is the6:13 confirmation that is given by God Himself. Verse 5, so Moses brought their case before the Lord. And the Lord spoke to Moses saying, the6:25 daughters of Mr. Z, speak what is right. You shall surely give them a possession of inheritance6:36 among father's brothers and cause the inheritance of their father to pass to them. And you shall speak to the children of Israel saying, if a man6:48 dies and has no son, then you shall cause his inheritance to pass to his daughter. If he has no daughter, then you shall give his inheritance to his brothers.7:00 If he has no brothers, then you shall give his inheritance to his father's brothers. And if his father has no brothers, then you shall give his inheritance to the relative closest7:12 him in his family, and he shall possess it. And it shall be to the children of Israel a statute of judgment, just as the Lord7:24 commanded Moses. They bring it to Moses. Moses brings to God. I love that about Moses. He wasn't 1 to say, well, Okay, I'll figure that I can come up with7:36 my own ruling here. He seeks the Lord. He knows that God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. And so he asked God, and I love this, God validates7:48 the 5 women. He confirms their hunch. God didn't say, you go tell those 5 gals they have to live with this. That's just the way things are done here.8:00 God said, no, they're right, Moses. They're right. So you give the legal right to the land to the daughters and make that a law from now on. And if there's8:12 no daughters, then the next of kin. Now, let me put a little fine point on that. The only caveat to this law and we don't get it here, we get it in chapter 36 of this book. I'm not going to have you turn there. But8:24 there is a caveat. And the caveat is the girls, to keep the land, have to marry within their own tribe. So they're from the tribe of Manasseh. They've to marry some8:36 guy from the tribe of Manasseh. But if, let's say, Hoglah or Milcah or Tirzah sees some cute guy from Judah and marries him,8:48 then the tribe of Judah gets that land. Or if 1 of these gals sees this handsome hunk from Issachar and they hook up and get married, then it's going to go to the9:00 tribe of Issachar. So the caveat is you've got to marry within your own tribe for this law to be in effect. But this is a very, very important ruling. Why? Because there9:12 are about 2000000 people in the children of Israel at this time, which means there's lots of families with no sons, only9:24 daughters. So they bring it to Moses. Moses brings it to God, and they wait for the answer. They wait for the answer. They will accept and submit to whatever answer9:36 the Lord gives back to Moses to tell them. Winston Churchill said, courage is what it takes to stand up and speak, but courage is also9:47 what it takes to sit down and listen. And they did both, didn't they? They stood up and they spoke. They voiced the concern. And then they waited to get the response. They sat9:59 down and they listened. But here's what I love about this whole story. God doesn't overlook anybody. The very people that are10:11 overlooked, God does not overlook. Even in a patriarchal society dominated by firstborn males, God doesn't overlook anybody. The10:23 very people we overlook are often the very people God looks over, looks after, superintends. God sees you. God knows you. He knows what10:35 you're dealing with. He loves you. He does not overlook you. Every society has overlooked people, marginalized people, people who aren't10:47 thought about. They are not overlooked by God. 1 of my favorite stories that comes from World War II is we had our soldiers fighting in10:59 the war on European soil. And this group of friends, 1 of them was shot in battle. The friends, in mourning the loss of their11:11 fallen friend wanted to give him a decent burial in a church cemetery. They found a local church. I think it was in France somewhere. They went to bury him in the churchyard in the11:23 cemetery. The priest said, I'm sorry, unless he is a member of our faith, he can't be buried inside the churchyard. It's the11:35 rules. I can't change the rules. Well, were sad about that, and they buried him just outside the cemetery, outside the fence. They dug a shallow grave, buried their friend, said some prayers, put a11:47 little cross on it, and went away for the night. The next morning, they got up, wanted to visit the grave 1 last time before they went back to battle. And they couldn't find the grave that they11:58 dug. They looked everywhere outside the fence, went all around it a couple of times. They said, we cannot find it. Then the priest shows up and he kind of hung his head. And he said, well, last night12:10 I was unable to sleep. So I got up and I moved the fence to include your friend. And when I12:22 read that story years ago, I thought that's the heart of the gospel, right? Jesus always is moving the fence to include more people. He moves the fence.12:34 He moved the fence for me. He moved the fence for you. He includes you. He doesn't overlook you.12:40 This is Connect with Skip Heitzig. Your support helps reach people every day with biblical truth that brings hope, encouragement, and direction for real life. If you've ever wondered how to stay12:51 grounded when our culture is constantly pulling you in different directions, pastor Skip's study through Colossians is for you. In expound Colossians, you'll gain a deeper understanding of who Jesus13:03 is, why he is completely sufficient for every season of life, and how God's truth gives you confidence to stand firm in your faith. Your generosity helps extend the reach of Connect with Skip13:15 Heitzig, connecting more people around the world to God's word. Request expound colossians when you give 50 dollars or more at connect with skip dot com slash offer or by calling 8 0 0 913:27 2 2 1 8 8 8. Now here's more from pastor Skip.13:32 So that's the crisis and the courage and the confirmation now by God. I want to close this by giving you the correlation, how this relates to us. These 5 ladies13:43 present and provide an example for us. And based on what we read in these 11 verses, I think we should13:55 do 3 things. Based on what they do, we should do 3 things. Number 1, we should come boldly. We should come boldly. Just as they boldly approached Moses and14:07 Eleazar and the leaders at the door of the Tabernacle in that formal kind of a manner, just as they came boldly, so we should also14:19 approach God. We're told to do that. Hebrews chapter 4 verse 16, let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace that we may14:31 obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Come boldly is the invitation. And then James puts a fine point on this14:42 idea when he says, you have not because you ask not. So ask. So come14:55 and come boldly. Oh, I can't come boldly. I'm just, you know, I'm flesh and blood, and he's God. Well, he said come boldly. This is not arrogance. This is confidence. This is not a call to15:07 being arrogant. It's a call to being confident. Be confident in God, in His character. It's assurance in the character of God. He invites you to come. You have access to His15:18 compassion and strength. You may remember in Luke chapter 18, the chapter begins, Jesus spoke this parable unto them15:30 that men ought always to pray and not lose heart. Men are always to pray and not lose heart. Then he gives us wild15:42 analogy of a judge in a town who's a rascal, an unjust judge. And this woman came to the judge for justice, and she had an issue. And15:53 judge didn't want to hear about it because he didn't care. He was a rascal. But she kept coming and kept coming and kept persisting. And finally, judge said, all right, I'll do what you want, not16:05 because I want to do it, but because you keep bugging me. And Jesus uses that example to say, if an unjust, rascally16:16 judge would do that for a woman who keeps coming who didn't lose heart. How much more will a good and gracious, compassionate, loving heavenly Father do for his children?16:28 So men are always to pray and not lose heart. People who persist in prayer are people who do not lose heart. People who lose heart are16:40 people who do not persist in prayer. So come boldly. 2nd, live expectantly.16:52 Live expectantly. These 5 ladies, along with all of the children of Israel, they were not yet in the promised land. This17:04 is important. They were still out in the wilderness on the other side of the Jordan River. They weren't in the promised land yet, but they knew they would be 1 day.17:16 Soon enough, they're going to cross that Jordan and be over in the promised land. So they're living as if they're in the land now.17:29 Right? They want this ruling done. There's no land to occupy yet, but they'll be there soon. So here's the application. Learn to17:41 live in the tension of the not yet. Not yet. We're not there yet. Live in the tension of the not yet. And I would say parents have to do this all the time with17:53 kids Because kids don't have the patience that a parent has. Some parents don't have patience, but kids definitely don't. So when you go on vacation, you're driving down the18:04 freeway, what's the question your kids ask you? Are we there yet? Are we there yet? And you say, we're not there yet, but soon. Hold on. You right. You give them a little little bit18:16 of hope. But they keep asking, are we there yet? Not yet. But soon, we are not yet in heaven.18:28 We are not yet enjoying our eternal reward. We are not yet in that full unveiled presence of God. We are not yet in glorified bodies. We are not18:40 yet ruling and reigning with Christ. But we will soon. And we can be living in the tension of the not yet by preparing18:52 for it. Jesus said, lay up for yourselves treasure in heaven. You can do that now. Paul said, seek those things which are above, where Christ is,19:04 seated at the right hand of God. So come boldly and live expectantly. 3rd and finally, plan generationally. Plan19:15 generationally. These 5 gals pass the torch of blessing to the next generation. The ruling that they will see on this day19:27 will have ramifications for other families going forward in future generations. And part of our task is to set the next generation up for success19:39 rather than for failure. If you're a parent or a grandparent, that is 1 of your primary tasks. Set the next generation up for success and not19:51 failure. It has to come a time in your life where it's not about you anymore. It's about them. So we have looked for 8 weeks at 820:02 overlooked people or people groups, all who are vital to the story, all of which encourage our hearts. And I want to close this whole20:14 series out with 1 of my favorite stories. And it's been several years since I've brought this out, so I think I'm safe bringing it out again. This is a little piece written by Peter20:26 Marshall. I don't know if any of you recognize that name. Peter Marshall was, I think, Scottish. He was not from this country, but he became the chaplain to the United States Senate.20:40 Very distinguished role. He wrote a little piece called The Keeper of the Spring. He said, once there was a quiet forest dweller who lived high above an Austrian20:52 village in the mountains. He was hired to clear away debris from the pools of water up in the mountains that fed the spring that was flowing21:04 through their town. With faithful silent regularity, listen to that again, with faithful silent regularity, he21:16 patrolled the hills, removed the leaves, took away the branches and the silt that would otherwise choke and contaminate the fresh21:27 flow of water. The village became a popular attraction for vacationers. Swans floated along a crystal clear spring. Businesses located21:39 near the water. Farmlands were irrigated, and the view from the restaurants was picturesque beyond description. Can you see it?21:51 1 evening, the town council met for a semiannual meeting. Now the government gets involved. As they reviewed the budget,22:04 1 man's eye caught the salary figure being paid this obscure keeper of the spring. Well, the keeper of the purse,22:16 the secretary, said, who is this old man? Now why do we keep him on year after year? Nobody ever sees him. For all we know, this strange roamer of the hills is doing us no22:28 good. I don't think he's necessary any longer. So there was a unanimous vote to dispense with his services. Well, for22:40 weeks, nothing changed. But then the fall came and the leaves, the trees shed their leaves. Small branches snapped off and fell into the22:52 pools, hindering the rushing flow of sparkling water. And 1 day, someone noticed the yellowish brown tint in the spring. Days23:03 later, the water was much darker. And within a week, a slimy film along the banks and a foul odor was detected.23:16 Water wheels moved slower, and some finally stopped. The swans left. The tourists left too.23:27 Embarrassed, the town council called a special meeting. Realizing the error of their ways, they hired back the keeper of the spring. And within weeks, the water cleared up.23:41 What the keeper of the spring was to that village, Baruch was to Jeremiah, Jethro was to Moses. Mordecai was to Esther.23:53 Onesiphorus was to Paul. And these 5 women were to the nation of Israel. Remember that phrase? Faithful, silent,24:04 regularity. Overlooked, overlooked, vitally important. If you feel overlooked, you're only overlooked by some people.24:17 God does not overlook you. He looks you over, sees your advantage, sees your gifts, has given you those gifts, wants to engage you for His purpose. You are24:29 vital to the kingdom. And finally, if you're 1 of those people who does not yet know Christ, He is willing to move the fence24:40 again to include you in his company, if that's what you're willing to do.24:48 We're so glad you joined us today on Connect with Skip Heitzig. Before you go, remember that when you give 50 dollars or more this month, we'll send you Expound Colossians as our25:00 thanks. This encouraging verse by verse study will help you discover why Christ is enough, how to stand firm in God's truth, and how to live each day with confidence in him. Your25:12 support helps keep this Bible teaching ministry reaching people around the world with the life changing truth of God's word. Give today at connect with skip dot com slash offer or call25:23 809 2 2 18 88. See you next time.25:49 Connect with Skip Heitzig is a presentation of Connection Communications, connecting you to God's never changing truth in ever changing times.
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