Cities of Refuge
Numbers 35-36
Cities of Refuge, Numbers 35-36. The Bible continually tells us that God is our Refuge. We do not have to flee to a city to find our refuge, because God, our Refuge, is present with us at all times.
9 And the Lord spoke to Moses,
saying, 10 “Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, When you
cross the Jordan into the land of Canaan, 11 then you shall select
cities to be cities of refuge for you, that the manslayer who kills any person without intent may flee there. 12 The cities shall be for you a refuge from the avenger, that the manslayer
may not die until he stands before the congregation for judgment. 13
And the cities that you give shall be your six cities of refuge. 14 You
shall give three cities beyond the Jordan, and three cities in the land
of Canaan, to be cities of refuge. 15 These six cities shall be for
refuge for the people of Israel, and for the stranger and for the
sojourner among them, that anyone who kills any person without intent
may flee there.
Numbers 35:9-15, English Standard Version
Cities of Refuge
Numbers 35-36
We end our walk through Numbers with Numbers 35 and Numbers 36. Before the Children of Israel enter the land of promise, God has a few more instructions to give them. After they enter the land they are to choose cities which will allow a person who has killed another unintentionally a place to flee from those who would want to avenge the death of their relative.
When I read about the cities
which God established as a refuge for those who unintentionally killed any person, I
am again reminded of the graciousness of God. God is a God of Justice, but He is also a kind and compassionate God or righteousness. In His laws for the Children of Israel, He allowed even for those who would kill accidentally to be protected.
The
relatives of the person who died had the right to take vengeance upon
the one who killed their relative. But, if it was an accident, the
killer could flee to the nearest city of refuge. There his case would be
heard with the high priest presiding. If the person was, indeed, found
to be innocent he was allowed to live, as long as he stayed within the
walls of the city, until the death of the high priest.
The Bible continually tells us that God is our Refuge. Psalm 46:1 reminds us, God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
I like the phrase, "a very present help". We do not have to flee to a
city of refuge, because God, our Refuge, is present with us at all
times.
We do not have an impersonal God who is too busy to care about the daily needs of His children. Instead, He is available 24/7 to lead, comfort, and guide His children. We have the Holy Spirit living within our hearts who guides and directs us. We have a wonderful Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who sits at God's right hand and makes intercession for us, His children. And, God the Father is available at all times to hear the prayer of His dear children.
I
encourage you to think of Numbers 35 and Numbers 36 and be reminded today,
that, as a true believer, your Refuge is right there beside you wherever you go this day.
Praise God from Whom all blessings flow!
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