Then ye shall appoint you cities to be cities of refuge for you; that the slayer may flee thither, which killeth any person at unawares. And they shall be unto you cities for refuge from the avenger; that the manslayer die not, until he stand before the congregation in judgment.
And the congregation shall deliver the slayer out of the hand of the revenger of blood, and the congregation shall restore him to the city of his refuge, whither he was fled: and he shall abide in it unto the death of the high priest, which was anointed with the holy oil. But if the slayer shall at any time come without the border of the city of his refuge, whither he was fled; (Num. 35:11-12, 25-26)
As Israel approached her final days in the wilderness and would soon cross over into the Promised Land, God directed the Israelites to set aside cities in the land for the Levites to inhabit as well as cities where those who killed by accident could seek refuge. The families of the Levites would be taken care of and while the murderer could be avenged, the person who slew another unawares and not premeditated could seek refuge in these cities and receive the protection of the Law and the congregation until the death of the high priest. If he left the city at any time before the high priest died, the avenger could slay him for the death he caused.
God knew that once the Israelites came into the land and possessed their inheritance, that the Levites would need cities for their families and for their possessions while they worked for the LORD. They were to be provided for and receive their portion, yet without an inheritance, since they worked for the LORD. He also knew that accidents happen, and if a person killed another accidentally and not premeditated, he could still be pursued by the family or friends who would seek vengeance. The Lord told the Israelites to set up cities in Israel for the Levites throughout the land and also set apart cities where the person who had killed accidentally could seek refuge from the avenger of blood and face the Law and the congregation until the death of the high priest. After the high priest died he would be free to return to his city and family.
For the person who is secure in Christ by faith in Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary, we not only have a city established for us by God for our dwelling with Him when our service here is done, but Christ Himself, is both our refuge and our High Priest. Being guilty of sin and of blood, we can run to Him and are safe from the Law, and since He now lives eternally, having taken our place and shed His blood for our sins, we can and do rest in Him. Our sins are paid for and the wrath of the Father is satisfied on our behalf because of the shed blood of Jesus Christ offered for us. When we recognize our sin, we repent and run to the safety of Christ, not license to sin more, but freedom from sin and its penalty because of His righteousness imputed unto us by faith. He is our eternal refuge against the slayer of blood, that we, though guilty, abide in and are safe.
While we are here God has sent those of us that know Him out into this world to reach the lost that they might be saved from sin. He desires that His people strive to be holy and obedient unto Him that we might minister to those around us who are hurting and in need as He provides. We serve others, equipped with the Word of reconciliation and righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that they may see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. Our God has commanded us to love one another with an unfeigned love, even as He first loved us, and to disciple one another in the Word of God so that we may all grow in grace and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Our Lord has commissioned those who are His with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to go where He sends us in the power of the Holy Spirit. As we go, we are to proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of God might have life in His Name.
God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. God calls you to faith in Christ and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with God, forgiveness from God, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of God who is God the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
God knew that once the Israelites came into the land and possessed their inheritance, that the Levites would need cities for their families and for their possessions while they worked for the LORD. They were to be provided for and receive their portion, yet without an inheritance, since they worked for the LORD. He also knew that accidents happen, and if a person killed another accidentally and not premeditated, he could still be pursued by the family or friends who would seek vengeance. The Lord told the Israelites to set up cities in Israel for the Levites throughout the land and also set apart cities where the person who had killed accidentally could seek refuge from the avenger of blood and face the Law and the congregation until the death of the high priest. After the high priest died he would be free to return to his city and family.
For the person who is secure in Christ by faith in Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary, we not only have a city established for us by God for our dwelling with Him when our service here is done, but Christ Himself, is both our refuge and our High Priest. Being guilty of sin and of blood, we can run to Him and are safe from the Law, and since He now lives eternally, having taken our place and shed His blood for our sins, we can and do rest in Him. Our sins are paid for and the wrath of the Father is satisfied on our behalf because of the shed blood of Jesus Christ offered for us. When we recognize our sin, we repent and run to the safety of Christ, not license to sin more, but freedom from sin and its penalty because of His righteousness imputed unto us by faith. He is our eternal refuge against the slayer of blood, that we, though guilty, abide in and are safe.
While we are here God has sent those of us that know Him out into this world to reach the lost that they might be saved from sin. He desires that His people strive to be holy and obedient unto Him that we might minister to those around us who are hurting and in need as He provides. We serve others, equipped with the Word of reconciliation and righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that they may see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. Our God has commanded us to love one another with an unfeigned love, even as He first loved us, and to disciple one another in the Word of God so that we may all grow in grace and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Our Lord has commissioned those who are His with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to go where He sends us in the power of the Holy Spirit. As we go, we are to proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of God might have life in His Name.
God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. God calls you to faith in Christ and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with God, forgiveness from God, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of God who is God the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
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