It's Wahoo Wednesday and I'm pleased to welcome author Barbara Britton to share the story of one of 5 intrepid women from the Old Testament you may never have heard about.
With that in mind, Barbara is offering a free eBook copy of this featured book to one of this post's readers. See below for details.
Overlooking Treasures in History
by Barbara Britton
I have been a Christian for over four decades. I’ve
participated in weekly Bible studies, read through the Bible, and even joined a
Bible quizzing team in high school. How had I missed the story of the daughters
of Zelophehad? If they were the recipients of only a few verses then I could
explain it away, but these historic sisters show up in the book of Numbers and
the book of Joshua.
Who are the daughters of Zelophehad? Mahlah, Noah,
Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah are five orphaned sisters who go to Moses and ask to
inherit their deceased father’s land. This was no small ‘ask.’ Girls didn’t
inherit land, especially young, unmarried girls. Where did these girls get the
gumption to challenge societal norms of the day? Wouldn’t it be fascinating if
we could hear the late-night tent talk of these sisters?
We may not have the words the girls said to each
other, but we have the words the girls said to Moses. The girls also spoke to
Eleazar the priest, the leaders of Israel, and a whole assembly. What did they
say?
“Our father died in the desert. He was not among
Korah’s followers, who banded together against the Lord, but he died for his
own sin and left no sons. Why should our father’s name disappear from his clan
because he had no son? Give us property among our father’s relatives.”
(Numbers 27:3-4 NIV)
Moses, to his credit, did not dismiss the girls’
request. Moses sought God and God said the girls were correct. God says in
Numbers 27:8 (NIV), “If a man dies and leaves no son, turn his inheritance over
to his daughter.”
Yay, God!
There is more to the story of the daughters of
Zelophehad that I bring out in my latest work of biblical fiction, “Lioness:
Mahlah’s journey.” Many leaders were not happy with this new revelation and the
girls would be brought before an assembly again.
I had only planned to write one book about these
historic girls, but one book turned into three. The Israelites took several
years to conquer Canaan, so the daughters of Zelophehad had to wait to receive
their inheritance. They don’t let Joshua forget about their inheritance either.
The Bible never ceases to amaze me. Now, I pay more
attention to stories in lesser-read books of the Bible. And I did have fun
creating the girls’ tent talk.
Back cover copy of “Lioness: Mahlah’s Journey:”
While the Israelites struggle to occupy the Promised Land of
God, Mahlah bat Zelophehad is orphaned and left to care for her four sisters.
But daughters of the dead are unable to inherit land, and it will take a
miracle for Mahlah to obtain the means to care for her sisters and uphold the
vow she made to her dying mother. Mahlah must seek Moses, the leader of her people, and request something extraordinary—the right for a daughter to inherit her deceased father’s land. A right that will upset the ox-cart of male inheritance and cast her in the role of a rebel.
But, God is the protector of the orphan and the widow, and five orphaned daughters need His help. With God, anything is possible. Even changing man’s tradition.
Theme: Go forth with God.
You can purchase “Lioness” from Amazon or Barnes & Noble or other retailers.
“Heavenly Lights: Noah’s Journey” and “Claiming Canaan:
Milcah’s Journey” will launch this spring.
Okay, blog readers, were you aware of the
story of the daughters of Zelophehad?
About Barb:
Barbara M. Britton lives in
Southeast, Wisconsin and loves the snow—when it accumulates under three inches.
She writes Christian Fiction for teens and adults. Barb brings little-known
Bible stories to light in her Tribes of Israel series. Barb is a member of the
American Christian Fiction Writers, the Society of Children’s Book Writers and
Illustrators, Romance Writers of America and Wisconsin Romance Writers of
America. She is published by Harbourlight Books an imprint of Pelican Book
Group. Barb has a nutrition degree from Baylor University but loves to dip
healthy strawberries in chocolate.
Find out more about Barb and her books at www.barbarambritton.com
.
About the Giveaway: Barb is giving away one free eBook copy of "Lioness ~ Mahlah's Journey" to one of this post's readers who leave a comment an ANSWER Barb's question above. Giveaway ends one week from today on November 8 at Midnight O'clock Central Time. Be sure to leave contact info so you can be notified if you're the selected winner.
Barbara, thank you so much for being my guest today! This new series of yours sounds fascinating. And, no, I had never heard of Zelophehad. I had to look it up. Makes me wonder, like you, how many such stories are hidden in the Bible.
ReplyDeleteThanks for having me on the blog, Peg. I am so excited to bring this little-known story to light.
ReplyDeleteI paused at the mention of Noah. Who knew there was more than one Noah in scripture? I love how you've given voice to those in the Bible who have much influence but get little to no recognition. God's word continues to amaze me. Blessings as you send Lioness out into the world, Barb.
ReplyDeleteI did a double-take on that one, too, Mary. =)
DeleteThanks for stopping by for a visit.
Thank you, Mary. I had no idea there was a female Noah until I read the account of the daughters of Zelophehad. Thanks for joining us.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to you and thank you for writing these wonderful accounts in modern-day story form.
ReplyDeleteThank you for stopping by, Gail. I've added LIONESS to my toppling TBR list. If I ever become incapacitated, I'll not lack good reading material! LOL
DeleteThank you. Gail. Thank you for your lovely Christian Fiction stories. I appreciate you joining us.
ReplyDeleteAfter a flip of a coin, 'tails' brought up Mary Felkins as the winner of Barbara's eBook copy of LIONESS. If you see this, Mary, please reply to me at pbphifer @ gmail dot com. Thanks, and Congratulations!
ReplyDelete