A GODLY QUEST FOR EQUAL RIGHTS
King James Version (KJV)
27 Then came the daughters of Zelophehad, the son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, of the families of Manasseh the son of Joseph: and these are the names of his daughters; Mahlah, Noah, and Hoglah, and Milcah, and Tirzah.
Zelophehad, of the tribe of Manasseh, had five daughters, and no sons. Their names were: Mahlah, meaning "Sickness or Disease"; Noah, meaning "Rest or Comfort"; Hoglah, meaning "Partridge or Boxer"; Milcah, meaning "Queen or Counsel"; and Tirzah, meaning "Pleasantness,"
If we accept these women’s names as pictures of their abilities, natures, or the adversities they had overcome, we see all the qualities necessary for the tenacity, tact, courage, wisdom, and grace they needed to request – and receive – an inheritance for themselves.
Their presentation of their case to Moses and the leaders of Israel (v.2), when the land was being divided to the tribes, is the Bible’s first instance of an appeal for equal rights for women The power of their example is in their wisdom of trusting God to see that they were not denied.
All five daughters manifest a balance between a spirit of confrontation and a spirit of cooperation. The former is illustrated by their attack on injustice and the latter by their compliance with the elder’s decision (36:2-12) that they should marry within their trib. God defended them (v.7) when they allowed Him to be their Deliverer/Provider.
They reveal a contemporary pathway to overcoming inequality while sustain a godly spirit.
In Christ,
Playwright Janet Irene Thomas
Founder/CEO
Bible Stories Theatre of
Fine & Performing Arts
www.biblestoriestheatre.org
info@biblestoriestheatre.org
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