Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
Numbers Ch.36 / 36 Ch.s
NU:36
* The inheritance of the daughters of Zelophehad. (1-4) The
daughters of Zelophehad are to marry in their own tribe. (5-12)
Conclusion. (13)
#1-4 The heads of the tribe of Manasseh represent the evil which
might follow, if the daughters of Zelophehad should marry into
any other tribes. They sought to preserve the Divine appointment
of inheritances, and that contests and quarrels should not rise
among those who should come afterwards. It is the wisdom and
duty of those who have estates in the world, to settle them, and
to dispose of them, so that no strife and contention may arise.
#5-12 Those who consult the oracles of God, concerning the
making of their heavenly inheritance sure, shall not only be
directed what to do, but their inquiries shall be graciously
accepted. God would not have one tribe enriched at the expense
of another. Each tribe was to keep to its own inheritance. The
daughters of Zelophehad submitted to this appointment. How could
they fail to marry well, when God himself directed them? Let the
people of God learn how suitable and proper it is, like the
daughters of Israel, to be united only to their own people.
Ought not every true believer Israel, to be united only to their
own people. Ought not every true believer in Jesus, to be very
attentive in the near and tender relations of life, to be united
only to such as are united to the Lord? All our intentions and
inclinations ought to be subjected to the will of God, when that
is made known to us, and especially in contracting marriage.
Although the word of God allows affection and preference in this
important relation, it does not sanction that foolish,
ungovernable, and idolatrous passion, which cares not what may
be the end; but in defiance of authority, determines upon
self-gratification. All such conduct, however disguised, is
against common sense, the interests of society, the happiness of
the marriage relation, and, what is still more evil, against the
religion of Christ.
#13 These are the judgments the Lord commanded in the plains of
Moab. Most of them related to the settlement in Canaan, into
which the Israelites were now entering. Whatever new condition
God, by his providence, brings us into, we must beg him to teach
us the duties of it, and to enable us to do them, that we may do
the work of the day in its day, the duty of a place in its
place.