Today’s Bible Reading: NUMBERS 34:1-36:13
Numbers 35:11
. . . then you shall select cities to be cities of refuge for you, that the manslayer who kills any person without intent may flee there. -
We all need a refuge to run to when trouble comes. We need a place that we can feel safe and secure from our strife and struggles. Such a place was provided in antiquity. These places were known as the cities of refuge.
In the ancient culture there was a concept of Goelism. It was the duty or right of a relative of a murdered family member to avenge their death by tracking down and killing the one responsible. The one who tracked him down was called the “avenger of blood” (Num 35:21).
Sometimes the death was accidental, yet the avenger still perused them. Anticipating this might happen, the Lord established six of these cities of refuge from among the Levitical cities scattered through the promised land (Num 35:6). Although originally assigned solely to the priest, they were designated as sanctuary cites where those who unintentionally killed someone could flee for safety.
The cities were easily accessed by the accused. The roads to the cities were to be well maintained and clearly marked with signs reading “Miklat” (meaning refuge) that directed the offender to the city. In addition, all were welcome within the walls of the city. Refuge was not only granted to Israelites, but to the “stranger” as well (Num 35:15). Asylum was offered to any and all.
In these cities the guilty party could reside in safety without fear that the avenger could enter and carry out his sentence upon them. One of the conditions for refuge was that the manslayer had to remain within the confines of the city to be safe. If the offender left the security of the city the “avenger of blood’ could execute judgment upon him without any recourse or repercussions (Num 35:26).
The manslayer’s redemption came by death, the death of another. The law didn’t allow for an animal sacrifice to atone for manslaughter. If a human life was taken, a human life was required. So, the accused had to die, or someone had to die in his place. Here it was the natural death of the High Priest that could atone for his iniquity. His death served as the payment for the sin committed by the manslayer. By the death of another, He was delivered. The price for his required penalty was paid by the death of the High Priest. His blood was shed for the blood that was shed. The law that required “a life for a life” was met in the death of the priest. The penalty was paid and the pardon was secured. The death was avenged. Justice was served. The accused was liberated and free to return home. (Num 35:28).
There are great parallels in this text to our relationship to Christ. First, we are all accused. We are all sinners (Rom 3:23). We are guilty of multiple transgressions. None can plead ignorance or innocence from their iniquities. The penalty for our sins is death (Rom 6:23). We have all have incurred the death penalty, no one is exempt and not one is exonerated. Thus, we need a place of refuge. Christ is the refuge to whom we flee to find safety, security and salvation.
Second, in Christ all have access. All are welcome. No one who comes to Christ will be turned away. All who come to Him will find hope and help in Him. All sinners can secure salvation through Him. We come in our sin to find our salvation in Him. But like the manslayer who flees to the city for salvation, so we who are sinners must flee to our Savior. We must decide to run to find refuge and redemption in Him. All are welcome, but all must choose to come.
Third, in Christ another atones for us. Our penalty is paid by another. As with the manslayer, the “High Priest” dies as payment for our sin. Jesus is our High Priest (Heb. 4:14). By His sacrificial death our sin debt is paid and we are pardoned. We who trust in Him are saved. Through the death of another we are delivered.
Today rejoice in Jesus our High Priest. Thank Him that by His death we have deliverance. Rejoice that even though we were sinners He secured our salvation. Praise Him that in Him we have refuge and redemption.
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