Numbers 27; Bold Faith and A Good Shepherd;~ 20260809 ~ Pastor Rodney Zedicher ~ Ephraim Church of the Bible ~ www.ephraimbible.org
2026.08.09 Numbers 27; Bold Faith and A Good Shepherd; Audio available at: http://www.ephraimbible.org/Sermons/20260809_numbers-27.mp3
Faith. How do you define faith? What does your faith look like? We’re in Numbers 27. We’ve seen what unbelief looks like. We’ve witnessed grumbling, complaining about God’s good gifts. We’ve seen the people come to the very border of the land God promised to give them, and they respond
Numbers 13:31 ...“We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we are.” 32 So they brought to the people of Israel a bad report of the land that they had spied out, saying, “The land, through which we have gone to spy it out, is a land that devours its inhabitants, and all the people that we saw in it are of great height. 33 And there we saw the Nephilim (the sons of Anak, who come from the Nephilim), and we seemed to ourselves like grasshoppers, and so we seemed to them.”
We’ve seen the people rebel against God’s authority, going their own way, refusing to be shepherded. We’ve seen a whole generation fall in the wilderness because of their unbelief. We’ve even seen this next generation stray from the Lord to worship other gods, and 24,000 of them died in the plague. The census of Numbers 26 ends this way:
Numbers 26:64 But among these there was not one of those listed by Moses and Aaron the priest, who had listed the people of Israel in the wilderness of Sinai. 65 For the LORD had said of them, “They shall die in the wilderness.” Not one of them was left, except Caleb the son of Jephunneh and Joshua the son of Nun.
Bold Faith; The Daughters of Zelophehad
But here in Numbers 27 we see a bold example of faith.
Numbers 27:1 Then drew near the daughters of Zelophehad the son of Hepher, son of Gilead, son of Machir, son of Manasseh, from the clans of Manasseh the son of Joseph. The names of his daughters were: Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. 2 And they stood before Moses and before Eleazar the priest and before the chiefs and all the congregation, at the entrance of the tent of meeting, saying, 3 “Our father died in the wilderness. He was not among the company of those who gathered themselves together against the LORD in the company of Korah, but died for his own sin. And he had no sons. 4 Why should the name of our father be taken away from his clan because he had no son? Give to us a possession among our father's brothers.”
God had promised to give the people the land. The land is currently occupied by giants, in walled cities, greater and stronger than they (Nu.13:28; Dt.9:1-3). They have yet to set foot across the Jordan, into the land. They have battles yet to fight. Much is uncertain. But they are moving forward in faith. God said he would give them the land, that he would drive out its inhabitants before them, so they are taking God at his word and moving forward. These women have a question that is completely irrelevant outside the land. Their question is not based on an ‘if’ but on a ‘when’. When God gives us the land, what does this look like for us? We believe God will do what he promised to do, and when he does, what is our lot in that; what is our inheritance?
This is a great definition of faith; taking God at his word, believing he will do what he has promised. Faith is not quantitative, as if we need more of it; when asked to increase their faith, Jesus told his disciples that with even the smallest amount of faith, nothing is impossible (Lk.17:5-6). Faith does not have power in and of itself, so that if I believe something hard enough, it will come true. No, faith is only as good as the object in which it is placed. Faith in a lie is useless, no matter how firmly you hold it. But faith in God’s promise is as sure as the God who made those promises.
We find this same definition of faith in Romans 4, when Abraham, in spite of his circumstances believed that God would do what he had promised.
Romans 4:20 No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, 21 fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised.
Faith gives glory to God because faith is simply depending on God to do what he has said he would do.
We were introduced to these five women in Numbers 26:33, the fifth generation from Manasseh, daughters of Zelophehad who had no sons but only daughters. In a patriarchal society, property rights are passed down through the sons; not because men are better than women, but because there needed to be a way to keep the land inheritance within the tribe to whom it was given. This allowed for marriage outside of one’s tribe, and still maintain the God-given property rights of each tribe. These women make the case that their father had not forfeited his property rights because of joining in overt rebellion against YHWH. These women were making a legal petition for the property rights of their father to not be lost because he had no sons; and they found a hearing before Moses and Eleazar and the chiefs of the tribes at the entrance to the tent of meeting.
Walk in Light of God’s Revealed Word
Moses heard their plea. This is a special circumstance, a circumstance for which there is no law, no word from the Lord, no precedent. God has given his people his word. He has revealed his will. He has given them his law, and he expects them to act in accordance to his word, not to walk contrary to what he has said, and not (like Balaam) to seek another word from the Lord (Nu.22:19), a different answer contrary to what he has already spoken, because ‘God is not a man, ...that he should change his mind’ (Nu.23:19).
When we already have God’s will revealed in God’s word written, faith is never seeking a different answer according to our own desires. God expects us to take what we have been given, apply his principles to our circumstances, and walk in his wisdom.
But this is a circumstance to which God has not spoken. Like the case in Numbers 9:8, Moses does not go beyond the word of the Lord and speak on his own. He takes the question to the Lord and waits for his answer. And God gives him more than an answer to this specific question; he sets a precedent and gives instructions that will guide them in similar future decisions.
Numbers 27:5 Moses brought their case before the LORD. 6 And the LORD said to Moses, 7 “The daughters of Zelophehad are right. You shall give them possession of an inheritance among their father's brothers and transfer the inheritance of their father to them. 8 And you shall speak to the people of Israel, saying, ‘If a man dies and has no son, then you shall transfer his inheritance to his daughter. 9 And if he has no daughter, then you shall give his inheritance to his brothers. 10 And if he has no brothers, then you shall give his inheritance to his father's brothers. 11 And if his father has no brothers, then you shall give his inheritance to the nearest kinsman of his clan, and he shall possess it. And it shall be for the people of Israel a statute and rule, as the LORD commanded Moses.’”
These daughters of Zelophehad bracket this last section of Numbers as chapter 36 gives further clarification on the implications of this decision on inheritance in the land as the people prepare to enter in. These daughters of Zelophehad set a bold example of faith in the promises of God, trusting him to do what he said he would do, and living in a way that displays their confidence in God. These women setting an example of confident dependence on God stand in stark contrast to the Midianite women who led the people to gratify their own desires and go after other gods.
Unbelief and Its Consequences; Death
The flesh must be put to death (Rom.8:13; Col.3:5).
Numbers 27:12 The LORD said to Moses, “Go up into this mountain of Abarim and see the land that I have given to the people of Israel. 13 When you have seen it, you also shall be gathered to your people, as your brother Aaron was, 14 because you rebelled against my word in the wilderness of Zin when the congregation quarreled, failing to uphold me as holy at the waters before their eyes.” (These are the waters of Meribah of Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin.)
Although Moses was a man of faith, even he stumbled. He acted in unbelief (Nu.20:12). He acted out of anger and frustration, out of pride and selfishness. He and his brother Aaron failed to uphold the Lord as holy in the eyes of the congregation. He acted in disobedience. Disobedience has consequences. He would not set foot in the promised land. Like Abraham before him, he would die in faith having seen it from afar, but not having received the things promised (Heb.11:13).
We see Moses continue to receive God’s word through the end of Numbers, now with Joshua by his side transitioning into leadership. Deuteronomy consists of Moses giving God’s instructions to the people on the plains of Moab before they enter the land, and Deuteronomy ends (32-34) with the account of Moses’ death on Mount Nebo. Moses records in Deuteronomy 3 his petition to the Lord on this occasion to be allowed to enter the land, and the Lord’s refusal. When we fail to walk by faith, there are consequences.
Our Need For a Shepherd
But here Moses’ heart is displayed:
Numbers 27:15 Moses spoke to the LORD, saying, 16 “Let the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, appoint a man over the congregation 17 who shall go out before them and come in before them, who shall lead them out and bring them in, that the congregation of the LORD may not be as sheep that have no shepherd.”
Moses had experience shepherding the flock of another (Ex.3:1). And as frustrating as that often was, he cared for the sheep. His concern was that this people be cared for as they enter into the land without him. Moses did not appoint one of his own sons; he did not select his own successor; he took this need to the Lord. He appealed for one who would go out before the people and come in before them; that is shepherding language, leading to pasture and bringing back to the fold, but more specifically that is military language, (1Sam.8:20; 18:13) one who would lead them out to battle and bring them back safely.
Moses
was concerned that God’s people not be hungry, lost and
vulnerable, lacking direction and protection, like sheep without a
shepherd.
Spirit Filled Joshua (and the Shepherds of
Israel)
Numbers 27:18 So the LORD said to Moses, “Take Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay your hand on him. 19 Make him stand before Eleazar the priest and all the congregation, and you shall commission him in their sight. 20 You shall invest him with some of your authority, that all the congregation of the people of Israel may obey. 21 And he shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall inquire for him by the judgment of the Urim before the LORD. At his word they shall go out, and at his word they shall come in, both he and all the people of Israel with him, the whole congregation.”
Hoshea, son of Nun, of the tribe of Ephraim (Nu.13:8,16); renamed Joshua, assistant to Moses from his youth (Nu.11:28); who led Israel’s army (Ex.17), who spent time with Moses on the mountain and at the tent of meeting (Ex.24:13; 33:11), who objected that Moses’ authority might be undermined by others prophesying (Nu.11:28), one of only two spies who brought back a good report of the land (Nu.14), who was full of the Spirit, was the Lord’s choice. He was to be given some of Moses’ authority, commissioned publicly. But there was a difference; the Lord spoke to Moses face to face as a man speaks to his friend (Ex.33:11; Dt.34:10); Joshua was to receive direction through the priest who would mediate the Lord’s instructions.
Numbers 27:22 And Moses did as the LORD commanded him. He took Joshua and made him stand before Eleazar the priest and the whole congregation, 23 and he laid his hands on him and commissioned him as the LORD directed through Moses.
Joshua faithfully led the people to victory in the promised land,
Judges 2:7 And the people served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders who outlived Joshua, who had seen all the great work that the LORD had done for Israel. ... 10 And all that generation also were gathered to their fathers. And there arose another generation after them who did not know the LORD or the work that he had done for Israel. 11 And the people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the LORD and served the Baals. 12 And they abandoned the LORD, the God of their fathers, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt. They went after other gods, from among the gods of the peoples who were around them, and bowed down to them. And they provoked the LORD to anger. 13 They abandoned the LORD and served the Baals and the Ashtaroth.
The time of the Judges was a time where ‘Everyone did what was right in his own eyes’ (Jdg.17:6; 21:25). The Lord took David from the sheepfolds to shepherd his people (Ps.78:70-72), but even David fell short. The time of the kings was described this way: ‘I saw all Israel scattered on the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd.’ (1Ki.22:17). The prophets had scathing rebukes for the shepherds of Israel who fed only themselves (Is.56; Jer.23;25;50; Ez.34; Zech.10)
The Good Shepherd
But already God was pointing beyond Joshua to someone greater; a prophet like Moses, whom the Lord would know face to face, who would speak all his words (Dt.18:15,18; 34:10).
Isaiah prophesied:
Isaiah 40:9 Go on up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good news; lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good news; lift it up, fear not; say to the cities of Judah, “Behold your God!” 10 Behold, the Lord GOD comes with might, and his arm rules for him; behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. 11 He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.
And to Ezekiel:
Ezekiel 34:15 I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I myself will make them lie down, declares the Lord GOD.
Jesus said in John 10:
John 10:7 So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. 11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 13 He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.
The greater Yeshua, Jesus of Nazareth;
Psalm 23:1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
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2026.08.09 Sermon Notes
Numbers 27; Bold Faith and A Good Shepherd
Faith or fear?
Numbers 13:28, 31-33; 26:64-65; Deuteronomy 9:1-3
Faith: taking God at his word
Numbers 27:1-4; Luke 17:5-6; Romans 4:20-21
Walking in light of God’s word
Numbers 22:19; 23:19; 9:8; 27:5-11; 2 Timothy 3:14-17
Consequences of unbelief
Numbers 27:12-14; 20:12; Deuteronomy 3:23-27
Sheep without a Shepherd
Numbers 27:15-17; Exodus 3:1; 1 Samuel 8:20; 18:13
Joshua given some of Moses’ authority
Numbers 27:18-23; 11:28; 13:8, 16; 14; Exodus 17; 24:13; 33:11; Deuteronomy 34:10
All we like sheep have gone astray
Judges 2:7-13; 17:6; 21:25; Psalm 78:70-72; 1 Kings 22:17; Isaiah 56; Jeremiah 23; 25; 50; Ezekiel 34; Zechariah 10
The good Shepherd
Deuteronomy 18:15, 18; 34:10; Isaiah 40:9-11; Ezekiel 34:15; John 10:7-16; Psalm 23
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Pastor Rodney Zedicher ~ Ephraim Church of the Bible ~ www.ephraimbible.org