WHO IS THIS running along in the blazing sun? And what is that city on the hill with the winding path leading up to it? You can read the story in Numbers 35. The runner is a manslayer. He has killed someone perhaps unintentionally, and the dead man’s brother is pursuing him with a drawn sword to take his life in revenge.
In those ancient times, under the law, God allowed life to go for life, so that the avenger might cut the manslayer down, if he overtook him. But in mercy, God provided six cities — three on either side of the River Jordan — to any of which the man-slayer might flee for his life. When he got to the gate and told the priest within what he had done, the gate was opened wide, and he passed inside to safety, secure from the avenger on his trail. He was given a trial and if found guilty of slaying the man intentionally, he paid for his crime with his life. But if proved not guilty, he remained safe within the city of refuge until the death of the High Priest, when he could go free and return to his own city.
This refers mainly to God’s earthly people, but in a way it is a little picture of the sinner and the Saviour. The manslayer is like the sinner: death and judgment like the avenger. The word to every sinner yet unsaved is, “Escape for thy life.” What a foolish thing it would have been for the man to tarry or trifle on the way. Much more for you, dear reader, if you are yet out of Christ and exposed to death and judgment. The city of refuge is like Christ. Its gate was open for the manslayer: so is Christ for the sinner.
The Lord Jesus said:
ML-04/19/1970