The Legacy He Left Behind

Recently I was asked who was one of my favorite fathers in the Bible. I know there are many well-known biblical fathers that we speak of quite often. For some reason, my mind immediately went to Zelophehad. Not one of the popular ones –not spoken about frequently. This was a father who passed away and left behind 5 daughters; he had no sons [Numbers 26:33]. There was a time when a census was taken in Israel. The tradition back then was to only count the men of a certain age. As Israel prepared to occupy the land promised to them, instruction was given ‘to divide the land among the tribes’ based on their population. Zelophehad’s daughters would not have been counted and they would be left without an inheritance.

The day came when the daughters challenged the norm and rewrote history [Numbers 27: 1-11]. They made a petition to Moses and the other leaders regarding their inheritance since their father had already passed on. They pointed out that their father was a man who did the right thing when it mattered. They then asked, “Why should our father’s name disappear just because he had no sons? Give us property along with the rest of our relatives.” What boldness! Their action ‘got’ God’s attention. He told Moses that the daughters were right and that they should be given the property that would have been given to their father. The Lord then proceeded to rewrite the inheritance laws allowing daughters to inherit their father’s property when sons are absent [v.8-9]. No Congress needed–no votes required.

I can’t help but wonder about the legacy their father left them. More than property, I imagine they were told they were not less than because they were women. Zelophehad must have encouraged his daughters to speak up when they sense unfairness and to do it appropriately. They inherited a spirit of boldness along with a keen sense of right and wrong. This father must have done something right. They showed us that our faith is released when we not just think but when we speak. What if they had kept silent and only complained among themselves? I’m thinking they wouldn’t have gotten God’s attention. God agreed with them that the prevailing tradition of the time was inadequate. The truth was it favored men. Because of these daughters of the land, God overrode traditions, norms and cultural practices. One could say they moved the hand and heart of God. Wow!!

As we celebrate fathers this month, I salute those who may have lost their dads. He’s no longer here in person, but his legacy lives on in your life. We look past their imperfections and treasure all they deposited in us. Their voices ring through your mind when decisions have to be made. You think about what he would do. The wisdom he imparted. You remember his passion and the love he poured into you. You are who you are today partly because of all he invested in you — all he poured into you, even without speaking.

To the dads gone ahead–thank you for your legacy of faith, strength, and boldness. Your love lives on in the lives of those who you showed love in your unique way. Your children inherited more than things–they learned how to move the heart of GOD. Be thankful today if you had a father or a father figure who left you a legacy not made with hands. One that helped to build character, heart and encourages the spirit. If he walked with God, he left a great gift of love and faith.

***Thanks for reading. Treasure the legacy left behind by the men who held your hand until you could walk alone.