Background and Context
No unit of Scripture stands alone. One must examine each verse in the context of chapter, book, testament, and canon. For example, one must not read Galatians and conclude Paul hates all law. Paul used the epistle to the Galatians to address the error of holding too tightly to a system of human laws.[6]
In addition, background material from the passage’s culture and time require examination. One does well to search for relevant customs, recent events, and world views from the time of the passage. For example, knowing the personal might and military prowess of Pharaoh Amenhotep II helps one understand why Moses expresses such dismay at God’s insistence he go back.[7]
Background to Numbers 27:12-23
The people have finally neared the promised land, but God still holds them back. Some members of the rebellious generation of Numbers 14 still live. Numbers reminds the people of God’s patience with a pilgrim and learning people.[8] Secondly, Numbers provides an emphatic warning for the future: “Do not disobey God’s covenant commands nor forget His promise of faithfulness.”[9]
Throughout Numbers the people complained (Num. 11), Miriam and Aaron harassed God’s chosen leader (12), at Kadesh-Barnea the Israelites refused to enter the Promised Land (14), Korah led a rebellion (16), Moses himself failed to sanctify God (20), and the people worshiped idols (25). Yet through the seemingly endless complaints of the congregation and failures of even the mightiest men and women of God, God continued, ever steady in His word, to bring them to the Promised Land.
Context of Numbers 27:12-23
The eleven preceding verses deal with the daughters of Zelophedad and their inheritance. Numbers 27:12-23 concerns Joshua’s appointment as Moses’ successor. Why place these two passages next to one another? Some say P placed the passage here to introduce Joshua before he becomes the leader of the nation.[10] Such a statement is based upon the Wellhausen hypothesis.
The mentioned authors say the phrase “Joshua, son of Nun” marks a full description of a new figure in ancient documents.[11] However, “Joshua, son of Nun, of the tribe of Ephraim” makes a better description for a new figure in the Old Testament accounts. On the other hand, if one sees the Pentateuch as from one man’s hand, the people are already acquainted with Joshua. God did not surprise Moses with His choice of successor.
The question of “why here” remains. Though some see no connection between the daughters of Zelophedad and Joshua, a connection exists. Numbers 27 displays several aspects of God. The first half shows His mercy and righteousness in giving an inheritance to the five women.[12] The second half shows God’s holiness.[13] In the daughter’s story, the land would have passed out of the family through no fault of the parents or children. On the other hand, Moses and Aaron had assaulted God’s holiness, and God cannot excuse such a sin. The two stories tie together nicely showing a more complete picture of God than either alone.
Another relationship exists between the stories. While few modern commentators found it, the ancient world knew the connection.[14] Midrash Rabbah states the two passages deal with inheritance from the first generation to the second generation (Numbers Rabbah (Pinchas) §13).[15]
Continued in Part 3
Notes
6 Robertson McQuilkin, Understanding and Applying the Bible (Moody Press: Chicago, 1992), 155.
7 Robert B. Chisholm, From Exegesis to Exposition (Baker Book House: Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1998), 229.
8 William S. Lasor, David A. Hubbard, Frederic W. Bush, Old Testament Survey, 2d ed. (Grand Rapids, Michigan: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1996), 103.
9 Ibid., 103.
10 Phillip J. Budd, Numbers, Word Biblical Commentary, (Waco, Texas: Word Books, 1984), 307; Martin Noth and G. Ernest Wright, Numbers, Old Testament Library (Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1968), 214.
11 Martin Noth and G. Ernest Wright, Numbers, Old Testament Library, 214.
12 Ronald B. Allen, Expositor’s Bible Commentary vol. 2, ed. Frank E. Gaebelin (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan, 1990), 945.
13 Ibid.
14 Two exceptions would be Dennis T. Olson, Death of the Old and the Birth of the New (Chico, California: Scholar’s Press, 1985), 175; and James Philip, Numbers, vol. 4, The Communicator’s Commentary, ed. Lloyd J. Ogilvie (Waco, Texas: Word Books, 1987), 283.
15 Rabbi Dr. H. Freedman and Maurice Simon, trans. Numbers and Deuteronomy, vol. 3, The Midrash Rabbah, (New York: Socino Press, 1977), 840.
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