(Num. 35) NUM 35:1-54
AS the tribes of Israel lay encamped on the farther side of Jordan, in the plains of Moab by Jericho, with the land of their inheritance before their eyes, Moses, by the command of God, spoke to them of "cities of refuge" which should be provided for the manslayer who killed another unawares; and laid down regulations concerning them. This was God's merciful provision beforehand for all who should be in that land, for the people of Israel who inherited it, for the stranger who might inhabit it, and for the sojourner who might chance to be passing through it (v. 15).
Unlike the generality of human laws, which are designed to meet cases similar to some which have arisen, but for which no provision had been made, the laws of God for the guidance of His people were all drawn up and made known before the people had crossed the Jordan, and entered on their inheritance. And so in this case; before the circumstances under which this law could take effect had arisen, Moses promulgated it, that the first manslayer after the tribes received their inheritance should find a “city of refuge “ready to receive him. And as long as they dwelt in their land, however many centuries might roll by, this law never grew obsolete or out of date. It needed not, like the laws of England, frequent amendments, for, like the laws of the Medes and Persians, it admitted of no change. It was as needed and as suitable in the days of David or Solomon as it was in the days of Joshua.
The "cities of refuge"—six in number— were so situated, three on the east and three on the west of Jordan that wherever the accident might happen, a refuge could be found within reasonable distance. Their names were made known and their locality described, that none should be in uncertainty about them or their position; for uncertainty at such a time might cost a man his life. To one of these cities must the manslayer flee.
He could not choose for himself where he, would go. They were chosen for him. He had to accept the choice, and make all the haste he could to the nearest at hand. For the avenger of blood might be on his track.
If he loitered by the way, or hesitated about his road, the avenger of blood might come up to him. The city was his only sure refuge.
The law did not admit of his contending with the avenger for his life. He was not to fight for his life, but to escape for it. Once within the city walls, he was safe; a few yards, or even a foot, would make all the difference.
He must be inside to be safe. Then, if conscious he had killed his neighbor unawares, or when acquitted of murder by the verdict of the elders of the city, he could meet his pursuer without fear. There the pursuer dare not touch the manslayer, unless the elders of the city allowed it. Outside the city, if he met him, he could kill him, and none could interfere to prevent it. Inside the city, if he had attempted to take his life, he would have broken one of God's laws. Outside, if any had attempted to arrest the course of vengeance, they would have acted contrary to the will of God.
These regulations were for all in the land, whether inhabitants or foreigners. God thought of all. For anyone might kill his neighbor unawares. All therefore, without distinction of religion or descent, were to share in the benefit of this humane enactment.
Life was a sacred thing, not to be taken without due inquisition. An accident by which a man lost his life did not entail death on the one who had killed him. Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burning for burning, wound for wound, stripe for stripe—such was the law. Perfect justice was to be administered, but not life for life unless murder had been committed.
But observe three things these cities were not.
Secondly, they were not a refuge from condemnation. To one guilty of murder, they afforded no hiding-place. The murderer might fly to one of them, but the law relating to these cities afforded him no hope that he could live. Two witnesses were needful to establish his guilt; but that once established, the elders of the city could not screen him from his just doom. “Blood it defileth the land,” was the word of God." Guilty of death, he shall surely be put to death," was the plain announcement of the Lord by the hand of Moses. The man who deserved to die was beyond the reach of human protection.
Thirdly, they were not the manslayer's home, and never could be his place of inheritance. Chosen from the cities of the tribe of Levi, they were the inheritance of that tribe, and none of another tribe could share in it with them. The manslayer would feel this.
His home, his inheritance, was elsewhere.
All the days of his residence there he was but a sojourner, an exile, and a prisoner; such was his condition. If his heart yearned after the place of his birth, he could not re-visit it till the death of the high priest. The elders of the city could give him no safe conduct or pass to visit, even for a limited time, his kindred and his home. Once he overstepped the limits of the city, his life was in danger from the avenger of blood.
How sacred was life in God's eyes! If taken unawares, the man who took it must keenly feel what he had done by perhaps many years of absence from his home. Yet sacred was his life in God's eyes, for He had provided him a shelter till he could return to the land of his possession; a perfect shelter it was, but that was all. He was there preserved as one who deserved not to die, but as one who had lost for a time the enjoyment, the comfort, the freedom of his home.
For anyone then to find an asylum in these cities, he must have a title to life. If his title was forfeited, he must die. An indefeasible title to life, and that alone, could give him peace in the prospect of the judicial inquiry to take place. With that he could fearlessly present himself before the tribunal, and look his accuser in the face. Conscious that there was no cause of death in him, he could rest assured of the result. But he must have that title to life before he stood at the bar of judgment, before he could hope for an acquittal.
If he had lost it by the deed of murder, none could restore it to him. The elders of the city, however well disposed towards him, could here afford him no assistance. No intervention of his friends or relatives could provide that which he lacked, and which was needful for his continuance on earth. If his life was forfeited, he must die.
Important as the possession of such a title was to the manslayer, is it not equally important to all? What then, we would ask, is the title to life of anyone who reads these lines? If we speak of the manslayer in Israel, we refer to a title to life on earth; if we speak of the readers of these lines, we refer to life for evermore. Have all our readers a title to live forever? Does such a question seem strange to any? It can only be strange to such as know not what God's word has declared. There is a title to life everlasting; but that title is bestowed, not earned; derived, not inherent. The manslayer's title to life on earth was inherent.
He had it as a creature of God, but he had to defend it in God's appointed way, that the avenger of blood should not deprive him of it. Our title to life everlasting is bestowed.
We have not to defend it, but to see that we possess it; once possessed, none can take it away; it is everlasting. But there is great need to make sure that we have received it, for “God’s wrath is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness." This is far more terrible than the wrath of the avenger of blood. He was a man; he might kill the body, and there his power ended. God's wrath can reach the soul. Through inadvertence or disinclination the avenger of blood might relax his pursuit.
God's wrath will surely take effect on all who shall not have been sheltered from it.
What is needed, therefore, is a security from condemnation, and a shelter from judgment. This the sinner can find, for GOD has already provided it. As the manslayer had the city ready to receive him, so the sinner has this place of refuge open to run into. This refuge is in CHRIST. “There is now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus." (Rom. 8:11There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (Romans 8:1)) ROM 8:11There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (Romans 8:1) As the names and localities of the cities of refuge were published, that all might know which they were and where they were, so the refuge that God has provided for the sinner has been in like manner announced. God's word told of the former; God's word tells us of the latter.
The manslayer could reckon on what that word said, and the description of the cities it contained. Shall the sinner not equally reckon on what that word says to him now?
“In Christ Jesus there is now no condemnation." Then the guilty one, the sin-con-vinced soul, can find safety there. “No condemnation! “A sweeping statement, which should most effectually set the heart at rest, and that forever.
Does conscience whisper of past sins? does the enemy recall many an act of disobedience, many a word unadvisedly spoken, many an unholy thought or angry feeling concealed perhaps from outward eyes? To all those the sinner can oppose this word of God. The man slayer had to await the verdict of the elders of the city after he entered it.
The sinner can know beforehand, can know now, the full deliverance God will give him when in Christ Jesus.
Here, then, is the next question, Can the sinner avail himself of this refuge? The Lord Jesus, the refuge, has Himself given a reply in John 5 JOH 5:1-471After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 2Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches. 3In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water. 4For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had. 5And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. 6When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole? 7The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me. 8Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. 9And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath. 10The Jews therefore said unto him that was cured, It is the sabbath day: it is not lawful for thee to carry thy bed. 11He answered them, He that made me whole, the same said unto me, Take up thy bed, and walk. 12Then asked they him, What man is that which said unto thee, Take up thy bed, and walk? 13And he that was healed wist not who it was: for Jesus had conveyed himself away, a multitude being in that place. 14Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee. 15The man departed, and told the Jews that it was Jesus, which had made him whole. 16And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the sabbath day. 17But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work. 18Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God. 19Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise. 20For the Father loveth the Son, and showeth him all things that himself doeth: and he will show him greater works than these, that ye may marvel. 21For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will. 22For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: 23That all men should honor the Son, even as they honor the Father. He that honoreth not the Son honoreth not the Father which hath sent him. 24Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. 25Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. 26For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; 27And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. 28Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, 29And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. 30I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me. 31If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true. 32There is another that beareth witness of me; and I know that the witness which he witnesseth of me is true. 33Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness unto the truth. 34But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say, that ye might be saved. 35He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light. 36But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me. 37And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape. 38And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not. 39Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. 40And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life. 41I receive not honor from men. 42But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you. 43I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive. 44How can ye believe, which receive honor one of another, and seek not the honor that cometh from God only? 45Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust. 46For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me. 47But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words? (John 5:1‑47) " Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth MT word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation [or judgment]; but is passed from death unto life.” (ver. 24.)
Clear and simple is the testimony conveyed in these words. There is an escape from judgment. “Shall not come into condemnation" [or, as in the original, judgment].
Then there can be "no condemnation," for condemnation succeeds judgment. It is not the being acquitted after trial, but it is not corning into trial for life at all. The manslayer must be tried. The sinner is promised he shall not be tried, if he hears the word of Christ, and believes Him that sent Him, that is, the Father. And the sinner does show that he believes the Father when he hears and accepts the Son. For " he that believeth not God hath made Him a liar; because be believeth not the record which God gave of His Son " (1 John 5:1010He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. (1 John 5:10)). JOH 5:1010The Jews therefore said unto him that was cured, It is the sabbath day: it is not lawful for thee to carry thy bed. (John 5:10) No judgment, no condemnation, to those in Christ Jesus. He shelters the sinner from both, not by the exercise of power, as of a strong man who refuses to let judgment have its course, but by having Himself undergone and borne the punishment which the sinner deserved. In Him who bore “our sins in His own body on the tree “the sinner can safely hide. In Him risen from the dead the believer finds everlasting shelter.
It is in a risen Christ, who has fully glorified God, who lives to die no more, over whom death has no dominion, that this refuge is found. This is not, the result of years of effort. It is not the happy experience which the "fathers" in Christ may hope some day to enjoy. It is not reached by experience.
It is reached by FAITH, being the present position of all who BELIEVE IN HIM. “We are in Him that is true, even in His Son Jesus Christ." (1 John 5:2020And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life. (1 John 5:20).) 1JO 5:2020And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life. (1 John 5:20)
And now, what the manslayer never could feel, that the sinner saved by grace in Christ can. The manslayer could never feel at home in the city. He was only a sojourner till the death of the high priest. His inheritance was elsewhere. But in Christ we have obtained an inheritance, in Hirai we are blessed as we never were or could be before (Eph. 1). EPH 1:1-231Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus: 2Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. 3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 4According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 5Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. 7In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; 8Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; 9Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: 10That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: 11In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: 12That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. 13In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. 15Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, 16Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; 17That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: 18The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, 19And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, 20Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, 21Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: 22And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. (Ephesians 1:1‑23)
Where our refuge is, there is our inheritance, “an inheritance undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for those who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.”
How welcome to the manslayer must his city of refuge have been! How far more welcome should be the refuge provided for the sinner in Christ! Are you, dear reader, in that everlasting refuge?