We have here the humble address which the heads of the tribe of
Manasseh made to Moses and the princes, on occasion of the order lately
made concerning the daughters of Zelophehad. The family they belonged
to was part of that half of the tribe of Manasseh which we yet to have
their lot within Jordan, not that half that was already settled; and
yet they speak of the land of their possession, and the inheritance of
their fathers, with as great assurance as if they had it already in
their hands, knowing whom they had trusted. In their appeal observe, 1.
They fairly recite the former order made in this case, and do not move
to have that set aside, but are very willing to acquiesce in it (v. 2):
The Lord commanded to give the inheritance of Zelophehad to his
daughters; and they are very well pleased that it should be so, none of
them knowing but that hereafter it might be the case of their own
families, and then their daughters would have the benefit of this law.
2. They represent the inconvenience which might, possibly, follow
hereupon, if the daughters of Zelophehad should see cause to marry into
any other tribes, v. 3. And it is probable that this was not a bare
surmise, or supposition, but that they knew, at this time, great court
was made to them by some young gentlemen of other tribes, because they
were heiresses, that they might get footing in this tribe, and so
enlarge their own inheritance. This truly is often aimed at more than
it should be in making marriages, not the meetness of the person, but
the convenience of the estate, to lay house to house, and field to
field. Wisdom indeed is good with an inheritance; but what is an
inheritance good for in that relation without wisdom? But here, we may
presume, the personal merit of these daughters recommended them as well
as their fortunes; however, the heads of their tribe foresaw the
mischief that would follow, and brought the case to Moses, that he
might consult the oracle of God concerning it. The difficulty they
start God could have obviated and provided against in the former order
given in this case; but to teach us that we must, in our affairs, not
only attend God's providence, but make use of our own prudence, God did
not direct in it till the themselves that were concerned wisely foresaw
the inconvenience, and piously applied to Moses for a rule in it. For
though they were chief fathers in their families, and might have
assumed a power to overrule these daughters of Zelophehad in disposing
of themselves, especially their father being dead and the common
interest of their tribe being concerned in it, yet they chose rather to
refer the matter to Moses, and it issued well. We should not covet to
be judges in our own case, for it is difficult to be so without being
partial. It is easier in many cases to take good advice than to give
it, and it is a satisfaction to be under direction. Two things they
aimed at in their representation:--(1.) To preserve the divine
appointment of inheritances. They urged the command (v. 2), that the
land should be given by lot to the respective tribes, and urged that it
would break in upon the divine appointment if such a considerable part
of the lot of Manasseh should, by their marriage, be transferred to any
other tribe; for the issue would be denominated from the father's
tribe, not the mother's. This indeed would not lessen the lot of the
particular persons of that tribe (they would have their own still), but
it would lessen the lot of the tribe in general, and render it less
strong and considerable; they therefore thought themselves concerned
for the reputation of their tribe, and perhaps were the more jealous
for it because it was already very much weakened by the sitting down of
the one half of it on this side Jordan. (2.) To prevent contests and
quarrels among posterity. If those of other tribes should come among
them perhaps it might occasion some contests. They would be apt to give
and receive disturbance, and their title might, in process of time,
come to be questioned; and how great a matter would this fire kindle!
It is the wisdom and duty of those that have estates in the world to
settle them, and dispose of them, so as that no strife and contention
may arise about them among posterity.