Inheritance - Part 9
Given By Father's
Inheritance given by fathers (not mothers) is probably because biblically the male is supposed to provide for the family (he is referred to as the primary provider, bread winner). This is partly because the woman is the focal point of the family. When he works to provide the physical needs of the family she can dedicate her time to the preparation of the family. This preparation includes physical meals, emotional enrichment and spiritual encouragement. The man still has the spiritual responsibility (authority) before God to give sound judgement and guidance while she fortifies the family in unison with him and God. This is the general picture of a family however there is no biblical law forbidding the woman to work. However, the working of the woman who is married with little children should be secondary to the welfare of her children. If the wife makes money also her money may be used for savings and extra things. The financial survival of the family should never be predicated upon joint (two) earnings of both husband and wife. The husband should provide the family necessities with a mutual budget established by both husband and wife.
The inheritance of the daughter of Zelophehad had to stay within the family of his fore- father to keep the inheritance pure in the land of Israel. The Lord did not want the inheritance of any of the children of Israel to transfer from the original tribe to another tribe according to Numbers 27:1-11 and Numbers 36:1-13
Numbers 27:4-8
4 Why should the name of our father be done away from among his family, because he hath no son? Give unto us therefore a possession among the brethren of our father.
5 And Moses brought their cause before the LORD.
6 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
7 The daughters of Zelophehad speak right: thou shalt surely give them a possession of an inheritance among their father's brethren; and thou shalt cause the inheritance of their father to pass unto them.
8 And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a man die, and have no son, then ye shall cause his inheritance to pass unto his daughter. KJV
Numbers 36:9
Neither shall the inheritance remove from one tribe to another tribe; but every one of the tribes of the children of Israel shall keep himself to his own inheritance. KJV
Since this is an important issue to God He had it established in the mouth of three witness. The daughters of Zelophehad were of the tribe of Manasseh. Refer to Numbers 27:1 and 36:1 for record. This shows us that the Lord does not favor men over women He simply has charged men with the responsibility of providing for the family and that calling includes the charge (distribution) of the inheritance. If no man is in the right position to carry out this duty before God by all means a woman, wife, daughter should. However, for the sake of order and the witness of the angels in Heaven a woman should never try to take this position of household ruler by force or coercion. In the example we just discussed there was no man (male heir) in the house, no adult son, nor any son in the picture born as the heir. The daughters were told to marry within the tribe of Manasseh to keep the inheritance from being marred.
Joshua 17:6
Because the daughters of Manasseh had an inheritance among his sons: and the rest of Manasseh's sons had the land of Gilead. KJV
Boaz had to purchase the inheritance of Elimelech (his brother) because both his brother’s sons (Mahlon and Chilion) were dead. This purchase of property included Ruth, the Moabitess (the former wife of Mahlon) as part of the purchase to raise up seed to continue the family name and to keep the inheritance in the male’s family.
Ruth 4:9-10 (In context refer to Ruth 4:1-12)
9 And Boaz said unto the elders, and unto all the people, Ye are witnesses this day, that I have bought all that was Elimelech's, and all that was Chilion's and Mahlon's, of the hand of Naomi.
10 Moreover Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of Mahlon, have I purchased to be my wife, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance, that the name of the dead be not cut off from among his brethren, and from the gate of his place: ye are witnesses this day. KJV
David did not like being removed from his inheritance in the land of Israel for he was driven out by King Saul pursuing his life. David could have been speaking of his own personal inheritance from his fathers or the land of Israel as a whole being inherited from the Father God.
1 Samuel 26:17-19
17 And Saul knew David's voice, and said, Is this thy voice, my son David? And David said, It is my voice, my lord, O king.
18 And he said, Wherefore doth my lord thus pursue after his servant? for what have I done? or what evil is in mine hand?
19 Now therefore, I pray thee, let my lord the king hear the words of his servant. If the LORD have stirred thee up against me, let him accept an offering: but if they be the children of men, cursed be they before the LORD; for they have driven me out this day from abiding in the inheritance of the LORD, saying, Go, serve other gods. KJV
1 Chronicles 28:4-21 (verse 8) King David gives instructions to Solomon his son about governing the nation of Israel and mentions the giving of this inheritance to his children. If a financially successful man dies (passes on) the subject of inheritance will come up. Hopefully, his children have a healthy portion of his estate with the surviving widow having enough financial provision from the estate to meet her needs very comfortably. A good man will also charge the mature son (not based on age but rather the most responsible child) to look after their mother when they are departed. The mature man of God will face death without fear knowing that they have their house in order and everyone in his household is taken care of. This is what allows them to write out a good (solid, sound) will and speak openly of their plans after their death with the whole family. This is exactly how the mature leader will keep strife away from the funeral proceedings and family after they are gone. King David did this with Solomon his son in 1 Kings 2:1-12 and 1 Chronicles 28. In 1 Chronicles 28:8 King David mentions to Solomon the inheritance given to him should likewise be given unto his children, King David’s grandchildren.
1 Chronicles 28:8-9
8 Now therefore in the sight of all Israel the congregation of the LORD, and in the audience of our God, keep and seek for all the commandments of the LORD your God: that ye may possess this good land, and leave it for an inheritance for your children after you for ever.
9 And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever. KJV
Notice that Job (as a righteous father) gave his daughters an inheritance with along with his sons. This teaches us that all the children of a father should all be given an inheritance. This does not say that the inheritance was equal but it does say that each child had some inheritance (a portion) of their father’s house.
Job 42:15
And in all the land were no women found so fair as the daughters of Job: and their father gave them inheritance among their brethren.
The giving of an inheritance does not stop with the immediate children but should be extended unto the children of your children. Yes, grandchildren should be given some inheritance from their grandfather. This scripture indicates at least two generations for a proper inheritance in the sight of God.
Proverbs 13:22
A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.
The faithful servant of the house may be given more honor and responsibility than an unfaithful son. Although the son is the true heir the father is not obligated to give anything to a disgraceful son. This verse tells us that a servant may be given an inheritance from the master (owner) of the house just because they are faithful. This is what happens when a father has to place his assets in a trust (after his death) at the discretion of a lawyer (or accountant) as opposed to leaving them in the care of his adult son. Sometimes rich children can become proud and spoiled instead of being wise and hard workers.
Proverbs 17:2
A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren. KJV
Notice in Proverbs 19:14 that the inheritance was from the father and understand that it included both money and property. It is said, “for one to truly be blessed (rich, wealthy) they must own both, property and financial assets”. It is also important to notice that a prudent wife comes from God and that is why choosing a wife is a matter of spiritual mediation and prayer (communication) with God. A foolish woman will cost you financially and take away from your inheritance whereas a good wife will keep the home beautiful and properly furnished, thus enhancing your inheritance.
Proverbs 19:14
House and riches are the inheritance of fathers and a prudent wife is from the LORD.
If the father gives a gift to his son or daughter it is their possession by ownership. This has to be mentioned because the ungodly will try to separate the father’s goods from his children. We know the thief comes to steal and establishing these types of ordinances keeps him (the enemy) at bay. Notice this verse reads if it is given to him by his father it is his (the child’s) not the fathers anyone. This is not saying a child can take whatever he wants from his father and claim ownership. Therefore wisdom dictates if this type of transaction occurs have the transfer of ownership in writing or done publicly among faithful witness to remove all debate (doubters). If the giver (the father) is not willing to do this type of transaction lawfully you must question; “why not?” If you are not given a satisfactory answer you may be better off not accepting a secret gift that is not acknowledged publicly. It is the eyes and hearts of the public that will judge you if someone accuses you of taking your father’s possessions after he is departed.
Ezekiel 46:16
Thus saith the Lord GOD; If the prince give a gift unto any of his sons, the inheritance thereof shall be his sons'; it shall be their possession by inheritance. KJV
Notice in the example of Rachel and Leah (the daughters of Laban) they thought they were due an inheritance from their father simply because they were part of their father’s house (his lineage). Although Laban made all the key financial decisions his children considered his wealth as their riches.
Genesis 31:14-16
14 Then Rachel and Leah answered and said to him,"Is there still any portion or inheritance for us in our father's house? 15 Are we not considered strangers by him? For he has sold us, and also completely consumed our money. 16 For all these riches which God has taken from our father are really ours and our children's; now then, whatever God has said to you, do it." NKJV
Notice that even the sons of Laban did not like seeing the wealth (assets) of their father going to someone else outside of their own family, even with their own blood related sisters involved.
Genesis 31:1
Jacob heard that Laban's sons were saying, "Jacob has taken everything our father owned and has gained all this wealth from what belonged to our father." NIV
This is another reference that calls the first (immediate) offspring and the second offspring (grandchildren) as part of the father’s inheritance. What Jacob was basically stating was that he (Jacob) would divide the promise land between all his immediate children including Ephraim and Manasseh as his own. This means they would get a larger share of the land. Instead of only having one part in Joseph they get two parts in Ephraim and Manasseh, thus Joseph’s portion was doubled because Joseph was the Chosen One both by God and his earthly father, Jacob. Joseph received the double portion because he was faithful to God which gave him added favor with men. This is a great honor that should always be received by a son from his father. Remember the will of a dying father must to be handled in a grave manner with much respect. If one is to properly honor God their Heavenly Father they must by necessity honor their earthly father by carrying out his last wishes.
Genesis 48:3-6
3 And Jacob said unto Joseph, God Almighty appeared unto me at Luz in the land of Canaan, and blessed me,
4 And said unto me, Behold, I will make thee fruitful, and multiply thee, and I will make of thee a multitude of people; and will give this land to thy seed after thee for an everlasting possession.
5 And now thy two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, which were born unto thee in the land of Egypt before I came unto thee into Egypt, are mine; as Reuben and Simeon, they shall be mine.
6 And thy issue, which thou begettest after them, shall be thine, and shall be called after the name of their brethren in their inheritance. KJV