What She was bold enough to confront . . .

Barriers, brick walls, boundaries not to be crossed – we’ve all faced parameters, rules, or traditions in our lives and leadership that seemingly confine us to a specific set of circumstances. When women do breakthrough in business, ministry, or professional arenas to access higher levels of opportunity, we talk about glass ceilings being shattered and paths being pioneered for others to follow. But how exactly do we breakthrough? Is there a blueprint successful women utilize to achieve beyond the limitations that litter their path?

Navigating the roadblocks of social constraints has been the experience of countless women throughout human history. Ask Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah, the daughters of Zelophehad. Faced with a challenge as Israel was poised to finally enter the promised land, these sisters joined forces and brought their issue before the nation’s leadership.

“Then came the daughters of Zelophehad, the son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, of the families of Manasseh the son of Joseph: and these are the names of his daughters; Mahlah, Noah, and Hoglah, and Milcah, and Tirzah. And they stood before Moses, and before Eleazar the priest, and before the princes and all the congregation, by the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, saying,” (Numbers 27:1-2, KJV).

Laying their case out like seasoned lawyers, the sisters explained to Moses that their father’s death without a male heir left them without the opportunity to claim an inheritance in the promised land. The stakes were high, but not only for their economic futures and family security. Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah recognized that the laws or ordinances of their society would prevent them from possessing God’s promise to the house of Israel.

“Our father died in the wilderness, and he was not in the company of them that gathered themselves together against the Lord in the company of Korah; but died in his own sin, and had no sons. 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” (Numbers 27:3-4, KJV).

The promise was within their grasp. The culmination of a 40-year journey was perhaps days, weeks or months away. But was it possible that Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah would be cut out of God’s provision and purpose simply because they were women? As leadHERs, when it comes to surmounting barriers and roadblocks, recognizing the significance of our cause and its implications should propel us into action. Courageous, bold, and passionate action that challenges not only the status quo but also demonstrates our confidence in God.

“And Moses brought their cause before the Lord.And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, 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” (Numbers 27:5-7, KJV).

When Moses wisely presented their case to the Lord, God’s response highlighted how much He cared about the Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah’s issues. Just because society had not made provision for their situation didn’t mean that God had not. And His purpose went beyond their singular circumstance to shed light on the need to expand the law to include women in generations to come. Because, sometimes it’s not just about you. God may allow you to encounter a barrier, a challenge, or even a glass ceiling to shatter constructs that will prevent individuals from accessing His promises.

“ 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" (Number 27:8, KJV).

Talk about change agents! Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah’s story reminds us that in life and leadership barriers are no match for God’s purpose and cannot prevent us from accessing God’s promises.

BE ALERT to blockades in your life and leadership and evaluate their intended outcome.

Perceive BARRIERS as opportunities for God’s power to be illustrated in your life.

BELIEVE that God’s promises are accessed through His authority and always present your cause to Him.

Begin your path to BREAKTHROUGH with bold, courageous action.

LeadHERs, my prayer for you today is that your barriers will become places where you experience God’s breakthrough. Remember that God’s promises are truly for you and nothing can withstand His power to accomplish His purpose in your life. May your current challenges provide opportunities for your faith in God to grow!

Your Sister in LeadHERship,

Dr. Margaret R. Frye

Want to learn more about Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah’s story?

Find it in Numbers 26, 27, 36; Joshua 17:3; I Chronicles 7:15

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