Deuteronomy 19:1-131When the Lord thy God hath cut off the nations, whose land the Lord thy God giveth thee, and thou succeedest them, and dwellest in their cities, and in their houses; 2Thou shalt separate three cities for thee in the midst of thy land, which the Lord thy God giveth thee to possess it. 3Thou shalt prepare thee a way, and divide the coasts of thy land, which the Lord thy God giveth thee to inherit, into three parts, that every slayer may flee thither. 4And this is the case of the slayer, which shall flee thither, that he may live: Whoso killeth his neighbor ignorantly, whom he hated not in time past; 5As when a man goeth into the wood with his neighbor to hew wood, and his hand fetcheth a stroke with the axe to cut down the tree, and the head slippeth from the helve, and lighteth upon his neighbor, that he die; he shall flee unto one of those cities, and live: 6Lest the avenger of the blood pursue the slayer, while his heart is hot, and overtake him, because the way is long, and slay him; whereas he was not worthy of death, inasmuch as he hated him not in time past. 7Wherefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt separate three cities for thee. 8And if the Lord thy God enlarge thy coast, as he hath sworn unto thy fathers, and give thee all the land which he promised to give unto thy fathers; 9If thou shalt keep all these commandments to do them, which I command thee this day, to love the Lord thy God, and to walk ever in his ways; then shalt thou add three cities more for thee, beside these three: 10That innocent blood be not shed in thy land, which the Lord thy God giveth thee for an inheritance, and so blood be upon thee. 11But if any man hate his neighbor, and lie in wait for him, and rise up against him, and smite him mortally that he die, and fleeth into one of these cities: 12Then the elders of his city shall send and fetch him thence, and deliver him into the hand of the avenger of blood, that he may die. 13Thine eye shall not pity him, but thou shalt put away the guilt of innocent blood from Israel, that it may go well with thee. (Deuteronomy 19:1‑13)
IN THIS chapter the Lord views His people as in possession of the land and enjoying their inheritance. In order that they might continue to enjoy their blessings, He outlines certain observances by which the land might not be defiled, and so that they might be able to go on with Him.
"When the LORD thy God hath cut off the nations, whose land the LORD thy God giveth thee, and thou succeedest them, and dwellest in their cities, and in their houses." What a contrast in this one verse!, for we have the judgment of the nations, their cutting off on the one hand, and God's tender grace shown to His people on the other. Romans 11:2222Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. (Romans 11:22) speaks of "the goodness and severity of God!"
"Thou shalt separate three cities for thee in the midst of thy land . . ." as a place of refuge for the manslayer. Later on, if they were obedient and God extended their borders, they were to separate three more cities for places of refuge.
"Thou shalt prepare thee a way!" How like our gracious God to think of the plight of one who had by accident and not willingly killed his neighbor. For instance, they might have been chopping wood together, and one man's axe head flew off and mortally wounded his neighbor. Provision was to be made to protect the life of him who had shed innocent blood, and had not hated his neighbor in the past. A road was to be prepared to which he might flee to the city of refuge from the avenger of blood. These cities were no more than 70 miles apart so that a slayer would not have to go more than 35 miles to escape his pursuer.
In a typical way, the manslayer represents the Jews. They put to death their Messiah, the Lord Jesus, yet they were not slain at once as murderers, but in grace they were treated as manslayers. This was in answer to the Lord's prayer on the cross, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." Then again Peter in addressing the Jews said they did it ignorantly (Acts 3:1717And now, brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers. (Acts 3:17)); those who repented and turned to the Lord God spared and were received into the church which became a city of refuge for them.
However, these cities were not to be a refuge for one who killed another intentionally, for if it was found that his heart was full of hatred towards the one he killed, he was to be put to death. Thus we see among the Jews two classes — those who repented and were spared, and those who did not repent but suffered the awful judgment of God for their rejection of Christ.
How wonderful and gracious of God to provide those cities of refuge, and a shelter from coming judgment for us, for all who flee for refuge to Christ. He is the true "city of refuge" for all who trust in Him.
"And this is the case of the slayer which shall flee thither, that he may live." The manslayer, who shed innocent blood was perfectly safe within the wall of the refuge that God had provided for him. And so is the believer safe, perfectly safe, in Christ — no judgment can touch him there; for Christ has died for him and the judgment is all vast and gone forever. What a Saviour we have! He wants us to enjoy fully the sense of our eternal security He has purchased at such a cost.
Messages of the Love of God 6/29/1975