Deuteronomy 19.
THE fourth chapter told us of three cities of refuge on the east side of the Jordan, to which one who unintentionally killed another might escape; now in this chapter we find God’s appointment of three more cities within the land, or across the Jordan river.
It was the land their God gave them, as each of the first three verses declares. and the tenth likewise, and as we have before noticed, the people were tenants on good behavior, for it was God’s land after all, and it must be kept in a way pleasing to Him.
To kill another, even unintentionally, was no light matter, as we see here. Immediately the unhappy man, who had killed another, knew what he had done, he had to go with all speed to the nearest city of refuge, even though the avenger of blood might be pursuing him.
If we turn to the New Testament, we shall find that there were two classes of people who had part in the death of Christ, —those who did it knowingly, and with hatred to that blessed One who came in lowly grace to a world of sinners; and those who in ignorance were led by the wicked men who wanted to see Him put to death. One of these classes is seen in Matthew 26:3-5; 27:1-4,20; and the other is shown in the Lord’s prayer on the cross, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34): and in Peter’s address to the people in the temple in Acts 3:17. Matthew 21:41 and 22:7 foretold what actually took place about forty years afterward when Jerusalem was destroyed by the Romans. For the ignorant ones there is mercy, and that not only now, when Jews and Gentiles alike hear the Gospel, but in a later day Israel will turn to God, and be His earthly people.
The chapter closes with God’s mind about dishonest and untruthful ways. Evil had to be put away from among His people; sin must be punished.
ML 01/11/1925