Tag: women

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The daughters of Zelophehad

I practically grew up in Sunday school but, when I saw the heading “Daughters of Zelophehad” on the devotional portion of the Bible I bought for my firstborn to bring with her when she studied in Kota Kinabalu, I realized I don’t really know this character. So I decided to read on it today, and my takeaway is the importance of precedents.

In the practice of law, counsel would usually cite precedents when arguing their points, if the literature is available. Judges rule in accordance to existing laws for reference, but precedents could sway it to a certain direction once applied and has been deemed relevant to the case in point. This is so for the case of the daughters of Zelophehad.

Back in the day, tradition dictated that only sons can inherit property…for the purpose of keeping allotments within the tribe. This is to ensure that tribal allotments would remain constant and not be lost to the control of another tribe. Understanding the purpose of having this tradition in place allowed Moses to exercise good judgement (by bringing their case to the Lord), without sacrificing the purpose for which the tradition (could also be the law in our time) was set in place. The sweet spot? The daughters were allowed to receive the inheritance provided that they marry within the tribe. The purpose was not lost, and God’s justice was exercised.

I’m pretty sure that they were so grateful that Moses did not lamely use “it has never been done that way before” as an excuse. Instead, he modeled wise leadership that is consistent with the heart of God.

Photo: Review & Herald Publishing

In the next blog, we will talk about how these women set this whole thing in motion, and the ripple effect.

Numbers 27
3 “Our father died in the wilderness,” they said.”He was not among Korah’s followers, who rebelled against the Lord; he died because of his own sin. But he had no sons.
4 Why should the name of our father disappear from his clan just because he had no sons? Give us property along with the rest of our relatives.”

5 So Moses brought their case before the Lord.
6 And the Lord replied to Moses, 7 “The claim of the daughters of Zelophehad is legitimate. You must give them a grant of land along with their father’s relatives. Assign them the property that would have been given to their father.”

Please feel free to share your thoughts on this. I would love to hear from you.

If you have prayer requests, please feel free to reach out via email.

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Forgive, but don’t lose the lesson

It is often said that we should forgive and forget. For the longest time, I too believed that that should be the goal – to get to a point where your heart is able to forget the pain so you can start over like nothing happened. At 47, I realized that was not to be aspired. The first part makes sense, but starting over like nothing happened isn’t wise at all.

It is admirable to get to a point of being able to reconcile; but don’t lose the lessons of past mistakes by fully investing trust where it does not belong. Last June 16, I experienced that ugly truth firsthand.

In Matthew 18:21-22, Jesus tells Peter to forgive “seventy times seven” times. The intention is not to count to 490 but to illustrate the boundless nature of forgiveness as God modeled it. It also acknowledges the truth that we will most likely need to extend it repeatedly, in the same manner that God does for us.

So how do we strike the balance between living a life that seeks to be more like Christ everyday and protecting ourselves the practical way?

Colossians 3:13 states, “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”

Forgiveness is about letting go of grievances, bitterness, and resentment. It is a process of letting go of past hurts and, eventually, extending grace enough to extend a hand of restoration in our relationships. You see, the ones who really hurt us are the ones we love. Our God is a God of restoration; and He leads by example.


When we acknowledge that we too have hurt God time and again, and we receive forgiveness and grace every single time we approach the throne of grace, it would be hard to deny forgiveness to our fellowmen. But forgiveness doesn’t mean we have to forget – that someone stole money from us when we trusted them too much…that someone has stabbed us in the back one too many times…that someone will hurt you when you bring them into your house to provide shelter. We can protect ourselves while remaining hopeful that the chance we give is a chance that will be taken seriously. This way, we also help them avoid the trappings of what enslaves them – dependence on money, breaking a confidence, envy, and a lust for power.

It is possible to forgive without forgetting – not for the purpose of reliving the fault/s, but to keep an eye out for the danger signs so we can protect them from the temptation and ourselves from falling victims again.

Going back to June 16, 2025. My ex-boyfriend who has wronged me repeatedly in the past has finally been committed to jail after I won the case on VAWC (Violence Against Women and their Children). To me, nobody won that day; but the truth came out and justice has been served. However, his actions on May 19 (the second time I refused to support his appeal for probation) and his reaction on June 16 showed me that all the entreaties and nice words were but calculated moves to manipulate me into agreeing. The same criminal then is the same criminal now, who thinks only of himself and would shamelessly use his daughter to control me into submission. I’m glad I didn’t forget that part because that was mainly why I refused to support his appeal. I didn’t think being able to stroll along freely, as he has in the seven years that he walked free on bail, would make him understand that what he did and was doing is wrong.

I can honestly say that I have truly forgiven the acts that he did in the past, and I have shown in previous dealings that we could have remained friends as we co-parent our daughter; but I have not forgotten that he is a man who only understands lessons learned the hard way. And so I forgive yet he needs to serve his sentence in jail, a direct consequence of his own actions.

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Life Happens

With a major detour from my perfectly-paved path to my perceived future, many thought I would fold and give in to a mediocre existence.

In 1999, being a single mom wasn’t new but it was certainly frowned upon. Respectable ladies of society were not supposed to be making such mistakes. I’m just glad I knew better than be stuck up. My years spent in “PT proper” – the last 2 years of the curriculum – has exposed me to Ate’s and Kuya’s (older ladies and men from my college) who had no qualms sharing about their adventures. I wouldn’t say that triggered my curiosity but it sure made me understand the difference between those intent on keeping their regular escapades under wraps and those who are just careless. When I allowed my then-boyfriend to have his way with me, I was neither…I was simply going with the flow…what happens, happens…and it did.

For most, that would be the end of the line; but I was ready for it. Also, that was where I started to understand that He was not going to let go of me – as He would for every single one of us.

When I started entertaining my rebellious thoughts, I was still part of the music team…so I asked to be given leave. I can’t say for sure if that was a mistake. I just know I did it because my heart was not “clean” anymore. I didn’t have the heart to usher people into worship while entertaining rebellious thoughts against my physical father. But one thing is clear to me now – I shouldn’t have separated myself from the ladies in the church.

I can clearly remember being asked several times by my cell group leader, “Hi Eunice. How’s your heart?” It was a random greeting that I refused to recognize for what it was – accountability. I just said, “I’m ok.”

I slowly drifted away because I didn’t want my Dad to know about my pregnancy while I was still vulnerable. He goes home to the Philippines every 3 months so I can’t be around where he expects to find me. I will tell him on my own terms, i.e. after I have given birth and recovered my strength. Because, hey, my heart was still very much in active rebellion mode.

So you see how rebellion slowly but surely ruined my supposed spiritual strength as a girl who grew up in Sunday School and was actively serving in the ministry until then. I was blind to the utter stupidity of my thinking. For someone who’s supposed to know better, I walked right into Satan’s trap of glorifying “I”. I plunged right into the middle and completed SIN when I gave myself to it.

Some would say, “life happened”. I know it was ME letting ME lead ME.

Several years wiser now, I wish I understood Lordship then; but I didn’t. I wish I took accountability to heart then; but I didn’t. Moral of the story – no one is meant to be a lone ranger in the Christian walk.

I now have two women in my life I share my present with – the joys and the heartaches, the victories and defeat. We also make sure we remind each other that we are not each other’s strengths…it is always God. I’m not saying it’s perfect but it helps to have someone who would pull you out of a trance, if I may say so.

Hebrews 10 (New Living Translation)
24 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.
25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.

DO YOU HAVE SOMEONE IN YOUR LIFE YOU ARE ACCOUNTABLE TO?

If there’s none, actively seek one. If you’re reluctant, feel free to send me a message. I would be happy to be your virtual accountability partner in the meantime…at least until you can identify someone you’d be comfortable walking the Christian life’s challenging roads with.