29

Hand in hand, the daughters of Zelophehad waited for Moses to return to the assembly. What would God decide about the land? Whatever her God willed, she would honor.

Hoglah stood next to her, rigid and paler than her alabaster-trimmed head covering. The half-moons under her eyes rivaled the indigo in her veil.

Mahlah squeezed Hoglah’s hand. Her sister’s vibrant smile had vanished since the pit.

“Dear sister. God has provided everything we have needed on our journey. Our clothes have not grown threadbare and our sandals are sturdy. We have food every morning and every night. He has not left us alone.”

“Then how come I feel downtrodden.” Hoglah’s hopeful grin faltered.

Mahlah bent to see her sister’s face. “We have all suffered the loss of our mother and father, but you are fearful of the loss of someone who made your heart blossom. Try as I may, I cannot heal your hurt.”

“I have added to all our woes.” Hoglah’s voice was but a whisper.

Noah wrapped an arm around Hoglah’s shoulders. “You haven’t added as much woe as our elders. Besides, your trip to the pit has softened Basemath’s claws. She is bearable of late.”

“You are trying to make me forget my transgressions.”

“Is it working?” Noah pulled Hoglah into a full embrace.

Tirzah and Milcah shuffled into the circle of sisters.

“We are going to heed the past, but it is nothing compared to our future.” Mahlah lifted Hoglah’s chin. “God has bestowed on us more than I thought possible. Let us trust in Him.”

“Speaking of possibilities.” Noah indicated Moses’ arrival from beyond the tent.

Mahlah led her sisters in a procession to greet their leader. Elders from her tribe jostled to station themselves near Moses.

Moses shifted his footing with the help of his staff. “Descendants of Joseph. What you have said is true. This is what God commands regarding the daughters of your brother, Zelophehad.”

A high-pitch hum filled Mahlah’s ears. Silence reigned in the assembly as Moses swiveled to behold her and her sisters. She straightened and encouraged her sisters to do the same with a devout nod.

“Daughters of Zelophehad, you may marry anyone you please—”

Thanks be to God.

“As long as your betrothed is from the tribal clan of your father.”

The weight of Hoglah’s body burrowed down on Mahlah’s right side.

Moses scanned the tribal leaders gathered in the front of the crowd.

“No inheritance in Israel shall pass from tribe to tribe. Every Israelite shall keep the tribal land inherited from his forefathers.”

“And what about the other daughters who inherit land?” an elder from the tribe of Simeon asked.

Moses’ lips sputtered. “Every daughter who inherits land must marry someone in her father’s tribal clan.”

“So, it is not just for us,” Tirzah asked, careening her neck like a curious turtle.

Mahlah leaned closer to her youngest sister. “God is not punishing us.” She willed Hoglah to truly listen to her words. “God is making sure the land He has given to each tribe stays within that same tribe for all generations. And if God has seen fit to provide us with land, He will provide us with suitable husbands.”

Noah gave Mahlah a sideways glance. “Maybe we should ask Moses to pray about our husbands.”

Hoglah backhanded Noah’s arm. “Can’t you be serious?”

“I was serious.” Noah rubbed her robe. “Life would be so much easier.”

Moses thumped his staff. “Daughters of Zelophehad.”

Mahlah’s sisters startled then stilled.

“This is what the Lord commands of you.” Moses let his esteemed gaze settle on each daughter. “You have heard the word of God.”

Mahlah stepped forward. “We will do what the Lord commands.”

Her sisters came alongside her and bowed. Each one echoed Mahlah’s assurance to obey God’s command.

Nemuel extricated himself from glee-filled kinsmen and strode toward her family. Beaming, he strutted like a king after a gluttonous feast. “God has protected the inheritance of our tribe. Your father would be proud of your sacrifice.”

Warmth flooded Mahlah’s cheeks. Heat not from the mass of bodies, but from her elder’s arrogance. Where was his compassion for her father when her father wallowed in a widower’s grief? Where was Nemuel’s restraint when he assessed the visitors at her tent flap? And why did he huddle with the leaders of her tribe when he could have stood with her sisters? She did not need his praise. God’s provision soothed her weary bones.

“Sacrifice?” Mahlah repeated with an air of false befuddlement. “If I heard our leader correctly, our allotment of land is secure, and we may choose our own husbands. Husbands that we find pleasing.”

“Hmmm.” Hoglah tapped a finger to her mouth. “Do you know of any men in our clan who can cook?”

Huffing, Nemuel fixed his annoyance on Mahlah. “Are you going to allow this silliness in an assembly of men?”

“Silliness?” Mahlah shrugged and glimpsed each of her sisters. “My middle sister utters much wisdom. For I can barely bake bread.”