The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in Joshua 20:6a,
"They [someone who caused the death of another unintentionally] are to stay in that city [a city of refuge] until they have stood trial before the assembly and until the death of the high priest who is serving at that time."
The Lord had the Israelites set aside six cities as "cities of refuge". Three were established on the west of the Jordan and three on the east. They were situated geographically to cover Israel evenly so as to be as reachable as possible by someone who had unintentionally caused the death of another, without malice aforethought. It was the responsibility of the leaders of these cities to provide protection for an accused until a trial could take place. That protection was needed as it was the responsibility, typically, of the nearest male relative to avenge the killing of a family member, "the avenger of blood".
According to the NIV Quest Study Bible, "The avenger was not to be a vigilante seeking vengeance; his aim was retribution, restoring the life balance in society. His motivation was justice, not anger."
"They [someone who caused the death of another unintentionally] are to stay in that city [a city of refuge] until they have stood trial before the assembly and until the death of the high priest who is serving at that time."
The Lord had the Israelites set aside six cities as "cities of refuge". Three were established on the west of the Jordan and three on the east. They were situated geographically to cover Israel evenly so as to be as reachable as possible by someone who had unintentionally caused the death of another, without malice aforethought. It was the responsibility of the leaders of these cities to provide protection for an accused until a trial could take place. That protection was needed as it was the responsibility, typically, of the nearest male relative to avenge the killing of a family member, "the avenger of blood".
According to the NIV Quest Study Bible, "The avenger was not to be a vigilante seeking vengeance; his aim was retribution, restoring the life balance in society. His motivation was justice, not anger."
This provision, established by the Lord, set the precedence of a principle we have always embraced as a nation ourselves, "innocent until proven guilty." Unfortunately, it appears to be a principle not as highly esteemed today as we have seen in the news lately. Sometimes it feels like we are drifting toward a lynch mob mentality in our culture.
I think God's way is best!
Remember, a person's politics is simply the public expression of that person's spiritual condition.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
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