The Right to Reason

“And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, The daughters of Zelophehad speak right…” (Num.27:6-7a)

C.S. Lewis considered a woman’s powers of reasoning, generally speaking, to be better suited for “psychological and sociological problems,” while the “masculine mind” (in general) is more capable of a “disinterested concern for truth for truth’s own sake.” He recognized the need for both and felt that one of many bad results of the “equality” argument was the forced mixing of the two, which, more often then not, only serves to water down both. I must admit, it seems to me that women come to conclusions (even the same conclusions) in different ways than men do (again, generally speaking); but to refer to ours as being mere feminine intuition does not, in my opinion, acknowledge the possibilities of the mind God has given each of us with which to love Him (Matt.22:37).

In the story found in Numbers twenty-seven, the daughters of Zelphehad came to Moses for recourse against a perceived injustice. God had said, through Moses, that the land they would soon be coming into possession of, was to be divided among the families of Israel, passing from the fathers to the sons. In the case of these young women, however, their father, who had faithfully followed Moses, was dead; and he had left no sons, only five daughters. Had there been sons, these girls would not have sought to usurp their place. They merely pointed out that, unless some exception was made, their father’s inheritance, and his good name, would be forgotten. Moses immediately saw this for what it was: a thoughtful—reasoned—argument. And as verse seven tells us, God agreed. He did not say, “These are just women worked up over some petty grievance.” He said, “They’re right; give ‘em what they asked for!” God loves to be worshipped and adored, but He also likes to be reasoned with. “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord” (Isa.1:18). And mark it well; He did not limit this invitation to men. Ask the Syrophenician woman in Mark seven, if you have any doubts about it. In both of these instances, we find the Creator agreeing with His creation. Only a truly omnipotent God would dare to bestow the gift of reasoning upon His creation.

Never relinquish your claim to a personal audience with the Father because you are questioning something that is happening to you. He already knows about your doubts, and for you not to acknowledge them in His presence is to question His reasonableness. You have the right to reason; and, even better, when the will of God is certain, you have the power to obey (Philip.2:13).