Exodus 1: 13-20; Number 27: 1-8
by Rev. Carson Overstreet
Van Wyck Presbyterian Church
August 19, 2018
The Egyptians became ruthless in imposing tasks on the Israelites, and made their lives bitter with hard service in mortar and brick and in every kind of field labor. They were ruthless in all the tasks that they imposed on them.
The king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, one of whom was named Shiphrah and the other Puah, ‘When you act as midwives to the Hebrew women, and see them on the birthstool, if it is a boy, kill him; but if it is a girl, she shall live.’
But the midwives feared God; they did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but they let the boys live.
So the king of Egypt summoned the midwives and said to them, ‘Why have you done this, and allowed the boys to live?’ The midwives said to Pharaoh, ‘Because the Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women; for they are vigorous and give birth before the midwife comes to them.’
So God dealt well with the midwives; and the people multiplied and became very strong. - Exodus 1: 13-20
Then the daughters of Zelophehad came forward. Zelophehad was son of Hepher son of Gilead son of Machir son of Manasseh son of Joseph, a member of the Manassite clans.
The names of his daughters were: Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. They stood before Moses, Eleazar the priest, the leaders, and all the congregation, at the entrance of the tent of meeting, and they said, ‘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. 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.’
Moses brought their case before the Lord. And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: The daughters of Zelophehad are right in what they are saying; you shall indeed let them possess an inheritance among their father’s brothers and pass the inheritance of their father on to them. You shall also say to the Israelites, ‘If a man dies, and has no son, then you shall pass his inheritance on to his daughter. - Numbers 27: 1-8
The Israelites had a long history of feeling inadequate. Egypt oppressed God’s people for 430 years (Exodus 12:40). God’s people were enslaved by the words “You are not enough.”
The midwives, Shiphrah and Puah, did not fear inadequacy; they feared God alone and it made all the difference. God not only made these women strong, but Shiphrah and Puah were God’s instruments of grace to empower the people to become very strong (Exodus 1:20).
After God’s people walked through the wilderness for 40 years, they entered into the Promised Land of Canaan. A census was given to all male descendants over the age of 20 to receive a portion of the Promised Land (Numbers 26). At that time the law prevented daughters to receive their father’s inheritance. Again, the circumstances stated certain people were inadequate and not enough.
I have no doubt that Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah – the daughters of Zelophehad - knew the strength of faith passed down by the midwives. God’s strength was present in the sisters’ time of need as they entered God’s Promised Land.
And their story speaks into our last question from the pews today: How should we overcome thoughts and feelings of inadequacy?
As people of faith these women overcame inadequacy by nurturing their voices with the voice of God’s Word. And God’s voice of truth is louder than our internal voices of not being enough.
Overcome inadequacy by naming it. The daughters of Zelophehad named the source from which their reality of inadequacy originated. Their culture had created a system which disadvantaged daughters to receive their fathers’ inheritance. This was a threat to the future of the family lineage and the tribe to which it belonged.
Reflect on your story. Where do your feelings or perceptions of inadequacy come from?
Maybe you feel just like the daughters of Zelophahad; the odds have been stacked against you from the beginning. Sometimes thoughts of inadequacy originate from a parent’s or loved one’s negative messages since childhood. Perceptions of not being enough can come from a pattern of negative outcomes like a string of bad grades. Thoughts of inadequacy can come from failure, struggling with depression or change, or grappling to come to terms with a tragic life event.
Naming the source of our insecurity is hard internal work. But it is the first step on God’s path to healing and wholeness.
Overcome by claiming the truth. The daughters of Zelophehad claimed the truth that it was not their fault Zelophehad had no sons (Numbers 27:4). These young women had reached a tipping point. They refused to compromise their future as the new generation of God’s people settled into God’s promised land. These sisters knew they, too, were God’s children and they belonged to God’s promises just like every tribe in the holy lineage of faith.
Whenever that inner voice within you says, “I am not enough,” it is a lie.
God loves you and me for who we are, right here and right now. It does not matter what gender you are - you might be a glorious mess, but never forget you and I are made in God’s image and you are a child of God (Genesis 1:27, Galatians 3:26). Never forget the Psalmist’s words: “I am fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14). Remember God’s word of truth - “God does not look on our outward appearance, but God looks on the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7).
So, look into your heart and claim God’s truth in your life. Grab a pad of sticky notes, write down God’s truth and your truth, and place it where you will see it every morning when you get out of bed. Write down God’s Word to remind you who you are and whose you are. Write down what you love about yourself:
With God all things are possible (Matt 19:26).
I am a child of God (Galatians 3:26).
I am enough.
I am caring.
My laugh is more contagious than the flu.
The past does not define me or my future.
Overcome by connecting with others. The five daughters of Zelophahad stuck together. They had each other’s backs. Their community of faith raised them with a strong communal connection with other women, like Shiphrah and Puah.
I can only imagine the talks these five sisters had among themselves when their future was uncertain. When all seemed hopeless, they nurtured each other’s voices.
When we are feeling insecure and low, one of the worst things we can do is isolate ourselves. Our souls continually think about our affliction and we assume the fetal position of defeat (Lamentations 3:20).
Each of us needs someone to confide in to share the shadow side of life – our tears, fears, and angst. Each of us needs to know we have a tribe whom will listen to our story with compassion and empathy. That tribe includes a trusted parent, a sibling, friends, a pastor, a guidance counselor at school. There is no shame in needing the special skills of a licensed therapist or even a psychiatrist to help us navigate the storms of life.
And please hear me on this – if our first words of comfort begin with “At least…” then the response is not empathy but sympathy and pity.
I cannot tell you how many times I have searched for the right words to bring comfort to a loved one and what I actually said was not helpful. Rather my good intentions were perceived as hurtful.
I have found when searching to say the right thing, it is best to first pray, “Lord, set a guard over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips” (Psalm 141:3). God’s Spirit will help us to say words of grace when they are necessary.
Overcome by making a goal. The daughters of Zelophehad made a goal. As the new generations were about to settle in the Promised Land, they decided to lift up their voices to change their situation (Numbers 27: 2-4). The sisters stood before the ones who could bring about this change – Moses, the priest, the leaders, all the congregation, and God.
This story is so very empowering because these young women are courageous to step forward with a goal and they followed through with it. They told their story and they claimed what they needed to live in God’s abundance. And God paved the way forward with measures of accountability to make the goal of inheritance possible for all surviving families who had no sons.
Consider your own goal to overcome the obstacle of inadequacy. What is your big picture goal, but don’t stop there….the next part is just as important. Consider what do you need as smaller goals to live into God’s promises of an abundant life? You are more likely to achieve your goals if you write them down. Prayerful action changes things!
Share what you are working towards with someone you trust – an accountability partner, if you will. Ideally this partner is a trustworthy individual with an encouraging spirit. This person is vested with the responsibilities of praying over your steps with you; sharing the truth with you in life-giving ways; and cheering you on when the going gets tough. Everything an accountability partner does is done in love and with the mind of Christ. Apart from God we can do nothing (John 15: 5). We need one another to abide in God’s strength and love.
Overcome by persevering one day at a time. The first step of perseverance always seems to be the hardest because it requires us to take a risk. We can only take the next right step in God’s strength, because God’s power is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).
Saint Teresa of Avila was an inspiring woman in church history who lived in Spain during the 16th century. She once said, “For God denies himself to no one who perseveres but gradually increases the courage of such a one till she or he achieves victory.” Her words are gospel.
Throughout the course of Scripture, God’s people gradually increased in courage through reflection. In order to go forward one more step towards God’s victory, God’s people always had to look back and remember God’s deliverance in the past.
So, as each day draws to a close, write down your positives. What small good did you experience or decide to do that day?
I have to say, the first time you start this, finding one good thing to write down is hard when all the previous days have been so bad.
That one small thing might just be a good breakfast or even a smile from a stranger. But one small good experienced today means you will encounter at least one ray of hope tomorrow.
And you will be surprised that within a week’s time – one or two small positives turns into a long list of 50 small revelations that God’s mercies are indeed new each morning. Great is God’s faithfulness! Persevering one day at a time means to give thanks and celebrate each small step towards your goal.
Every single one of us deals with a sense of inadequacy, including me.
In Saturday’s devotion from “Jesus Calling,” Sarah Young says, “Anticipate coming face-to-face with impossibilities: situations totally beyond your ability to handle. This awareness of your inadequacy is not something you should try to evade. It is precisely where [God] wants you – the best place to encounter [God’s] glory and power. When you see armies of problems marching towards you, cry out to [God]. Allow [God] to fight for you.
God will always fight for you – you need only to be still and listen for God’s cue to go forward (Exodus 14: 14-15). Be still as God empowers you to lift your voice.
Make room for Holy Spirit to nurture the voice within you. Name the source of inadequacy, claim the truth, connect with others, make a goal, persevere one day at a time.
With every step you take forward, and even with the steps that take you backwards, the God of peace will be with you until you achieve victory.
In the name of God our Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer. Amen.
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