Numbers - Chapter 36

This is the final chapter of the book of Numbers, and it is all about the rules of inheritance of the daughters of Zelophehad.  We considered the position of these daughters in chapter 27, and linked their rights of inheritance with the position of Mary, and the claim to inheritance as a descendent of King David, through the rights established by these daughters.  An additional provision is set out in this chapter - for the daughter to inherit she must marry within her own tribe.  Mary was engaged to Joseph who, like her, was from the tribe of Judah.  When the angel told Joseph that is was good for him to marry Mary this was ensuring the compliance with this law,

And when the book of Numbers ends with the comment that the daughters did as the Lord commanded we are reminded of Mary's words when the birth of Jesus is announced to her - "I am the Lord's servant.  May it be to me as you have said."

Without the link to Jesus the book would end with a very strange and obscure law.  With the link the book ends setting up the claims of Jesus to sit on the throne of King David.