This chapter begins by telling us that Zelophehad’s died a natural death, which tells us that Zelophehad wasn’t involved in the rebellion of Korah, Numbers:16:1-50.
He only has daughters, but no sons, whom under normal substances would inherit from him, Deuteronomy 25:5-10, and so, here, they have a valid claim to the inheritance and were given it.
This law of inheritance benefited the women of Israel, because it gave them the legal rights that they didn’t have previously.
Cook, in his commentary, says the following.
‘A father, whether or not sons had been born to him, had the power either before or at his death, to cause part of his estate to pass to a daughter, in which case her husband married into her family, rather than she into his, and the children were regarded as of the family from which the estate had come. A Biblical example of this is Machir, one of the ancestors of Zelophehad; although he had a son Gilead, he left also an inheritance to his daughter, the wife of Hezron of the tribe of Judah, by reason of which their descendants, including Jair, were reckoned as belonging to the tribe of Manasseh, Numbers 32:41 / 1 Chronicles 2:21ff.’
It was from Mount Abarim that God showed Moses the land of milk and honey. Remember, Moses wasn’t allowed to enter the land because of his sin of striking the rock twice instead of speaking to it, Numbers 20:1-13, however, in His grace, God allowed him to see it, Deuteronomy 34.
Coffman, in his commentary, says the following.
‘These words prepare us for an account of Moses’ death, but the last nine chapters of Numbers and all of Deuteronomy come between this announcement of it and the actual record of it in Deuteronomy 34:1-8.’
Notice the lord tells Moses, that Joshua must take his place so that Israel won’t be like sheep without a shepherd. God wants His people to be led and the same still applies today, Micah 5:2-4 / John 10:11 / Acts 20:28 / 1 Peter 5:2 / 1 Peter 5:4 / John 21:15-17.
The time has now come for Moses to pass on the leadership of Israel to Joshua, in order, that they can go and conquer and take possession of the land as God promised, Numbers 14:6-10. Joshua went before the assembly, he was charged and appointed as Israel’s new leader, the one who would be Moses’ successor.
Joshua was in a position to lead Israel, because he, like Caleb, were the only two people who gave a good report concerning the land when the twelve spies originally went to Canaan, Numbers 13:30. Moses spoke face to face with God, however, God’s communication with His main leader was now changing.
Moses, the servant, appointed by God who rendered important, faithful, voluntary, but temporary service, had finished his work, but the purpose of God must continue to go forward. Joshua was the man to whom God gave the responsibility of leading the people into the Promised Land.
Something that must be understood is that Joshua was not a replacement for Moses. Sometimes it is said that Joshua was Moses’ successor, but that is not true. The only sense in which it may be said to be true is that Joshua succeeded him in time. He came after Moses, but he did not succeed him in office, i.e. he did not take over the position, or role of Moses.
We see this in Joshua going before Eleazar the priest who would make judgments in reference to the Urim and Thummim. The Urim and Thummim were two small objects in the ephod that was worn by the priests and were used for determining judgments from God, Exodus 28:30 / Deuteronomy 33:8.
"But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."