Wednesday, October 30, 2019

Overlooking Treasures in History ~ Barbara Britton


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
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Follow her on Facebook, Twitter or BookBub.


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.






9 comments:

  1. 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.

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  2. Thanks for having me on the blog, Peg. I am so excited to bring this little-known story to light.

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  3. I 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.

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    1. I did a double-take on that one, too, Mary. =)
      Thanks for stopping by for a visit.

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  4. 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.

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  5. Congratulations to you and thank you for writing these wonderful accounts in modern-day story form.

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    1. Thank 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

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  6. Thank you. Gail. Thank you for your lovely Christian Fiction stories. I appreciate you joining us.

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  7. After 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!

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