SCRIPTURE: Joshua 20:1-9
OBSERVATION:
Cities of refuge, places where people could find protection and a fair trial. There were no police, so when crimes occurred, people might take the law into their own hands. I do sometimes wonder how much of this law is Moses, and how much is God’s design. I am referring to Matthew 19:1-9 where Jesus speaks of Moses permitting something (a bill of divorce) that was not God’s design in the beginning. Is God justifying revenge justice, if people make it to the city they are safe, otherwise…? Why doesn’t God just command, ‘no revenge killing’ and ‘do not take the law into your own hands’. Is Moses allowing “cities of refuge” because their hearts were hard, though this is not God’s design from the beginning (ie, He does not approve of revenge killing)? Just a thought. I do wonder this about a number of the laws in the law of Moses, though Jesus refers to this “bill of divorce” command only.
APPLICATION:
It must have been complicated to legislate order in that new nation (from slavery to nationhood). Cities of refuge seem to be a good idea in that time, sort of a backup plan to help protect the innocent from street justice. Not sure what application to make of this today. I would sooner follow Jesus’ way of denying street justice, and instead turning the other cheek, going the extra mile, blessing those who curse us, loving our enemies. Sometimes it does seem that Jesus, Who came to fulfill the OT Law, actually seems to go against what that Law states (in its details, not in its general principles). Think of His message in the sermon on the mount (Matthew 5:38-42) where he speaks against the ‘eye for eye and tooth for tooth’ message of the law of Moses (Exodus 21:23-25, Leviticus 24:17-22, Deuteronomy 19:15-21). This is why I feel we need to be very careful when applying OT laws and practices; they need to be evaluated and considered in light of how Jesus fulfills the law of Moses.
PRAYER:
Lord, there are many laws that make sense to me in the law of Moses, but there are also laws that do not make sense. Show me where Your Law is eternal and abiding, and where it is tied to the context of Israel’s history. Help me not to avoid necessary laws by calling them time-bound. Amen.
Cities of Refuge, safe havens where justice could be had. We don’t have these. In this fallen and broken world where there is so much injustice today, God is our ‘city of refuge’!
Thank You LORD that we can live out each day knowing that You will reveal the truth! That You will turn ugliness into beauty. We need not live in fear but rather in confidence because You are the One who brings justice to every situation of our lives even to those we cannot humanly understand / provide answers for. You will be glorified. You will be exhalted!