Sunday Afternoon, May 11, 1975
Richmond, Virginia
Ministry through Brother Stephen Kong
Please turn to the Book of Numbers, Chapter 32.
And the children of Reuben and the children of Gad had a very great multitude of cattle: and they saw the land of Jazer, and the land of Gilead, and behold, the place was a place for cattle.
And the children of Gad and the children of Reuben came and spake unto Moses, and to Eleazar the priest, and unto the princes of the congregation, saying,
Ataroth, and Dibon, and Jazer, and Nimrah, and Heshbon, and Elealeh, and Sebam, and Nebo, and Beon,
The land which the Lord smote before the congregation of Israel, is a land for cattle; and thy servants have cattle.
Wherefore, said they, if we have found favor in thy sight, let this land be given unto thy servants for a possession; bring us not over Jordan.
And Moses said unto the children of Gad and to the children of Reuben, Shall your brethren go to the war, and shall ye sit here?
And wherefore discourage ye the heart of the children of Israel from going over into the land which the Lord hath given them?
Thus did your fathers, when I sent them from Kadesh-barnea to see the land.
For when they went up unto the valley of Eshcol, and saw the land, they discouraged the heart of the children of Israel, that they should not go into the land which the Lord had given them.
And the Lord’s anger was kindled in that day, and He sware, saying,
Surely none of the men that came up out of Egypt, from twenty years old and upward, shall see the land which I sware unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob; because they have not wholly followed Me:
Save Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite, and Joshua the son of Nun; because they have wholly followed the Lord.
And the Lord’s anger was kindled against Israel, and He made them wander in the wilderness forty years, until all the generation, that had done evil in the sight of the Lord, was consumed.
And behold, ye are risen up in your fathers’ stead, an increase of sinful men, to augment yet the fierce anger of the Lord toward Israel.
For if ye turn away from after Him, He will yet again leave them in the wilderness; and ye shall destroy all this people.
Now turn to the last chapter, Numbers 36, Verse 1.
And the heads of the fathers’ houses of the family of the children of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, of the families of the sons of Joseph, came near, and spake before Moses, and before the princes, the heads of the fathers’ houses of the children of Israel:
And they said, The Lord commanded my lord to give the land for inheritance by lot to the children of Israel: and my lord was commanded by the Lord to give the inheritance of Zelophehad our brother unto his daughters.
And if they be married to any of the sons of the other tribes of the children of Israel, then will their inheritance be taken away from the inheritance of our fathers, and will be added to the inheritance of the tribe whereunto they shall belong: so will it be taken away from the lot of our inheritance.
And when the jubilee of the children of Israel shall be, then will their inheritance be added unto the inheritance of the tribe whereunto they shall belong: so will their inheritance be taken away from the inheritance of the tribe of our fathers.
And Moses commanded the children of Israel according to the word of the Lord, saying, The tribe of the sons of Joseph speaketh right.
This is the thing which the Lord doth command concerning the daughters of Zelophehad, saying, Let them marry whom they think best; only into the family of the tribe of their father shall they marry.
So shall no inheritance of the children of Israel remove from tribe to tribe: for the children of Israel shall cleave every one to the inheritance of the tribe of his fathers.
And every daughter that possesseth an inheritance in any tribe of the children of Israel shall be wife unto one of the family of the tribe of her father, that the children of Israel may possess every man the inheritance of his fathers.
So shall no inheritance remove from one tribe to another tribe; for the tribes of the children of Israel shall cleave every one to his own inheritance.
We have been fellowshipping together on the Book of Numbers for a number of times.
God led His people out from among Sinai, through the wilderness, and finally, after forty years, they came to the eastern shore of Jordan.
They conquered two kings of the Amorites, and they were stationed in the plain of Moab. Everything was now ready for them to cross the River Jordan and possess their possession.
But just before they were to enter into the promised land and possess their possession, one incident happened.
The tribe of Reuben and the tribe of Gad—two tribes—had much cattle, many cattle. And they saw that the land of the two kings of the Amorites was land good for cattle.
So they came to Moses and said, “Give us the land of the Amorites. This land is just fit for us. We have no intention of going over the Jordan to possess our possession. Our possession should be on this side of the River Jordan. Do not lead us over the Jordan. We would rather stay here. Give the land to us.”
And when Moses heard this, he was terrified. Why? Because Moses said, “Don’t you remember that thirty-eight years ago your fathers did the very same thing?”
“We were at the border of the promised land, on the southern side of the promised land. We were at Kadesh-barnea, and we could just enter in and possess the land. But the spies came back and discouraged the people, and the people refused to enter into the promised land. God was angry with your fathers.”
“We wandered for thirty-eight years, until that whole generation was wiped out. Only Caleb and Joshua, because they followed the Lord with a perfect heart.”
“And now, after thirty-eight years, we have come to the border again. Just one step, and we will be in the promised land; and here you are, just like your fathers. You do not want to enter into the promised land.”
“And if you do that, you will discourage all the people of God, and God might be angry with us. We will again go back into the wilderness and wander.”
Moses was horrified. But their minds were made up. They said, “No, we will not forsake our brethren.”
“We will go with our brethren and fight with them until they possess the land. Then we will come back. But we will not have our inheritance on the other side of Jordan. Our inheritance is here.”
“We will build cities. We will build shelters and strongholds for our women and children. But we will go before our brethren, and we will fight for them. After the battle is over, then we will come back. Our inheritance is here.”
In other words, they were determined.
So Moses could not do anything with them. Moses could only get them to promise that they would do what they said: that the men would go with the other tribes of Israel over the Jordan and fight together with their brothers.
And if they should do that, Moses said, then, after their brethren had possessed their possession, they could come back to this land. This land would belong to them. But if they did not do that, then they would have their portion on the other side of Jordan.
So Moses divided the land of the two kings of the Amorites to the tribe of Reuben and to the tribe of Gad. But he added another half-tribe: the half-tribe of Manasseh, the son of Machir.
Now, brothers and sisters, what is the spiritual significance of this history? What is this to us today?
The land of Canaan represents Christ. Christ is our promised land. All the unsearchable riches of Christ are our possession.
It is the purpose of God that we should enter into that fullness of Christ. He delivered us out of this world with a very definite purpose: that we might enter, as God’s people, into the fullness of Christ.
Nothing short of fullness will satisfy Him. What is the church? The body of Christ, the fullness of Him that filleth all in all.
The church is nothing less than the fullness of Christ. This is the will of God.
And here you find that the people of Israel were at the very entrance to that fullness. Yet two tribes did not want to enter into the promised land. They would rather stay on this side of Jordan, in the land of the Amorites.
Now, brothers and sisters, this land of the Amorites was conquered by the children of Israel. God did not allow them to touch the Edomites. God did not allow them even to touch the Moabites. But God did give the two kings of the Amorites into their hands.
Through the blessing of God, they conquered the two kings. They got the land, but the land was on this side of Jordan.
They had traveled through the wilderness for forty years. If only they crossed the River Jordan, the wilderness would be behind them, just as forty years ago, when they went through the Red Sea, Egypt was behind them.
But they refused to cross the River Jordan.
So they chose that land because it was good for cattle. They lived for their cattle. Their cattle were more important than the will of God. They did not live for God; they lived for their cattle.
In one sense, the cattle were God’s blessing. God blessed them, and they got all the cattle. Yet you find that they would rather have the blessing of God and refuse to go on to God Himself.
They would rather have a little than enter into fullness.
They were afraid of the River Jordan. The River Jordan represents death, but resurrection too. If they were identified with Christ in death and resurrection, then they would enter into the fullness of Christ. They would be delivered from their flesh.
But here you find that after forty years in the wilderness, after so many lessons, they still did not learn their lesson.
They were still a people living in the flesh. Their flesh was so strong. After forty years, it was still there. They would not go into death, into the River Jordan.
What does it signify to us today? Does it not tell us that among Christians today there are two different kinds of Christians?
So far as God’s will is concerned, there should be only one kind of Christian. But so far as our experience shows us, you do find on this earth two different kinds of Christians.
Paul mentioned that when he wrote to the Corinthian believers. He said, “You Corinthian believers are very different from us, from the apostles.”
Let us read it: 1 Corinthians 4, Verse 8.
Already ye are filled, already ye are become rich, ye have come to reign without us: yea and I would that ye did reign, that we also might reign with you.
For, I think, God hath set forth us the apostles last of all, as men doomed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, both to angels and men.
We are fools for Christ’s sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye have glory, but we have dishonor.
Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwelling-place;
And we toil, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure;
Being defamed, we entreat: we are made as the filth of the world, the offscouring of all things, even until now.
Now, here you see Paul said, “You Corinthian believers are so different from us apostles.” Actually, there should not be such a difference. God’s people should be of one kind.
But unfortunately, you find God’s people begin to show themselves to be of two different kinds. Some are like the Corinthian believers—carnal Christians.
They do not enter into the fullness of Christ. They are content with the little with which God has blessed them. They live in the blessing of God; they do not live for God.
They are afraid to die. They do not want to be identified with Christ in His death and resurrection because it is too costly. And they seem to enter into their possession earlier than the others.
These others seem rather foolish. Why should they wait? They can inherit right now. They seem to enjoy things before the other people.
But here you find Paul chiding them and saying, “Now already ye are filled. Already ye are enriched. Already ye have reigned.”
“We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are very wise—very wise. You know how to get the best of the world. We are weak for Christ’s sake, but you seem to be very strong.”
Now, what kind of a Christian are you?
Isn’t it true today? There are lots of Christians, really saved. Not only are they saved, but they know the blessing of the Lord too. The Lord has given them much cattle.
And yet they stay on the other side. They are never delivered from their flesh. They remain there. They never enter into the fullness of Christ.
And this is terrifying. Why? Because Moses said, “You will affect the rest of God’s people.”
You know, we are one people. We are one body. And remember, any member has an effect upon the others, whether it is good or bad.
Think of two tribes of the twelve tribes refusing to go over the Jordan into the promised land. They certainly would discourage the other ten tribes.
Oh, brothers and sisters, if there are those among us who are satisfied just with the blessing of the Lord and never go beyond blessing into the Blesser; if there are people among us who refuse to be identified with Christ in His death and resurrection, and continue to live according to the flesh, you know what effect it will have upon other believers.
How quickly they seem to possess their possession earlier than the rest of their brethren. They got their possession first. But that was not God’s fullness.
Do they know it? They knew it. How do we know? Because when you come to the Book of Joshua, in Joshua 22, you find that after the wars were over, Joshua divided the land to the nine and a half tribes of the children of Israel on the western side of Jordan.
Then the two tribes and the half-tribe went back across the Jordan to their possession. But before they crossed the Jordan, they did one thing: they built a great altar.
After the altar of God, they built a great altar. And when the news came to Joshua and to the elders of the children of Israel, they were frightened.
Why? Because they thought, “Now these two tribes and a half have just left us, and now they have built their own altar. They are going to separate from us and worship another god.”
So immediately they sent Phinehas, and they sent the elders, to investigate. When they came to these people, they said, “Now, if you are not satisfied with your inheritance, come over. We are willing to share with you. Now do not do these things.”
But the answer was, “No, we did not build this altar as a competition to the altar of God. We did not build this altar to offer sacrifice. We built this altar because it will serve as a witness between you and us.”
“In the future, people probably will say, ‘Well, you have no part with us because you are on the other side of Jordan. You do not belong to the chosen people of God.’ Now, this altar stands here to be a witness that we do belong.”
They went through all that trouble just to make sure that they still belonged to God, that they still belonged to the chosen people. Why? Because they knew their action was contradictory to the testimony of God. They knew it.
Brothers and sisters, do not the carnal believers know that they are not where they should be? They do.
Oh, you find Christians today going to great extents just to make sure that they are God’s people. Look at the steeples. Look at the great cathedrals. Look at all the priesthood. Look at all the things they do just to prove that they are Christians, just to show that they belong to God.
How much better if they put all these efforts into following the Lord, instead of putting all these efforts into things trying to prove that they are God’s people.
And this is what you find with the children of Israel. What a sad thing it was. History repeats itself.
Even today, you find the very same thing happening. Lots of Christians refuse to be identified with Christ in His death and resurrection, even after much wandering and much dealing.
They would rather stay with the blessings of God. They do not want to satisfy God’s heart. They live for their cattle; they do not live for God.
So I think it should serve as a great warning—a great warning to us today.
But thank God, in the midst of this tragic event, here were the five daughters of Zelophehad.
Zelophehad was of the tribe of Manasseh. He died without any son; he had only five daughters.
Now, according to the Jewish way, only the son inherited the father’s property. Having no son, of course, the property that should belong to Zelophehad would go to other people, because he had no son, only five daughters.
Now remember, all this happened before they entered into the promised land.
The daughters came to Moses. They said, “Our father died in the wilderness, not because he joined Korah in that great rebellion. He died because of his own sin, as the rest of the children of Israel. But he did not join that great rebellion.”
“Now our father died, and he had no sons, only five daughters. Does it mean that after we cross over the Jordan, we will have no inheritance there?”
Even before they entered into the promised land, God promised to give them the land. God promised to apportion to each tribe and each family a piece of land.
Zelophehad died in the wilderness, leaving no sons but five daughters. And here you find these five daughters. They came to Moses and said, “Our father died in the wilderness, not because he joined Korah in that great rebellion. He died because of his own sin, as the rest of the children of Israel. But he did not join that great rebellion.”
“Now our father died, and he had no son, only five daughters. Does it mean that after we cross over the Jordan, we will have no inheritance there?”
Think of that. When two tribes of the children of Israel despised God’s inheritance, five girls were so anxious. They treasured God’s promise. They even went to Moses and said, “What about us? Will we have no inheritance whatsoever?”
And Moses came to God and said, “God, these five girls have said well.” Yes, they should receive an inheritance. If a person does not have sons, then his property shall fall to his daughters.
So here you find good news: the daughters of Zelophehad were promised their father’s inheritance.
But then the tribe of Manasseh was frightened. They came to Moses and said, “Now it is true that the five daughters of Zelophehad will get their father’s portion. Suppose they are married to the other tribes.”
“Then, in the year of Jubilee, all the property will return to the original owner. Now, if they are married to the other tribes, then their father’s portion will go to the other tribes.”
In other words, the tribe of Manasseh treasured the promise of God. They did not want to see God’s inheritance going out of their hands.
So God told Moses that they had said well. The five daughters of Zelophehad would have their inheritance, but they should marry within the tribe, so that their portion—their father’s portion—would stay permanently within the tribe.
Isn’t that beautiful?
Do you know why Moses gave the land of the Amorites on the eastern side of Jordan to the two tribes? He added half a tribe of Manasseh to it. Do you know why?
Only two tribes wanted that land. But when Moses apportioned the land, he added a half-tribe to it. The half-tribe did not ask for that land.
And the half-tribe belonged to Manasseh, of the sons of Machir. Zelophehad belonged to the sons of Machir.
In other words, in order to help those who were weak, Moses put half the tribe of Manasseh there to make the link, because that tribe honored the gift of God—the inheritance of God—more than any other tribe.
So Moses did that. The tribe of Manasseh served as a bridge, as a bridge.
Brothers and sisters, isn’t that what you find in Galatians 6? We are told in Galatians 6:
Brethren, even if a man be overtaken in any trespass, ye who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; looking to thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
In other words, here you find there will be some weak ones in Christ. Then those who are spiritual should serve as the bridge to restore them, but in the spirit of meekness, lest they themselves be tempted.
So I do believe that this is the picture that God wants us to see.
Dear brothers and sisters, God is not pleased if we are contented with anything less than His fullness.
The testimony of the church is the testimony of the fullness of Christ.
May God deliver us from being a people who know God, who know the blessing of God, but because of the much blessing, would rather stay with blessings than go on with the God who blesses.
May we be like the daughters of Zelophehad, that we treasure God’s fullness more than anything else.
And I think if we can learn that lesson, then what we hear this afternoon will not be in vain.
Shall we pray?
Our Heavenly Father, Thou hast put before us a clear picture of Thy purpose.
Thou dost desire that we may enter into the fullness of Christ. It is Thy gift.
Our Father, do not allow us to be contented, satisfied with Thy blessing only.
But do give us that spirit of the daughters of Zelophehad, that we want the best, the fullness that God has promised us.
Oh, Lord, create such a spirit within us, whatever cost it may be.
If it means going through death, oh Lord, make us willing to follow Thee with a perfect heart, that on resurrection ground we may know the fullness of Christ.
Oh, Lord, Thou art faithful. Thou who callest us art faithful, and Thou art the One who will perform it.
We just trust ourselves to Thee today. We ask in the precious name of our Lord Jesus. Amen.