Read
Joshua Ch 20: 1-6
Then the Lord said to Joshua: “Tell the Israelites to designate the cities of refuge, as I instructed you through Moses, so that anyone who kills a person accidentally and unintentionally may flee there and find protection from the avenger of blood.
… They are to stay in that city until they have stood trial before the assembly and until the death of the high priest who is serving at that time. Then they may go back to their own home in the town from which they fled.”
Think
If you killed somebody by accident, I imagine many thoughts would go through your mind. In ancient Israel, one particularly important thought would have been ‘how fast can I run?’
Numbers 35 explains that if an Israelite killed another by accident, one of the victim’s family could declare themself an ‘avenger of blood’ – and had full right to kill the wrongdoer by way of revenge. However, there were to be 6 ‘cities of refuge’ set aside – if the killer could reach one of them before the avenger caught up with them, they were safe – they would be tried to ensure that the killing had been accidental, after which their life would be spared.
Especially clumsy Israelites would be wise to ensure they had a good pair of running shoes.
So what about us? Everything changes with Jesus. Have you done wrong? In Jesus we find that we’re all guilty, and there is an avenger who will bring about justice – but instead of us being destroyed, the avenger was slain in our place when Jesus died on the cross. Now there is one in whom we can all take refuge, because in him all our guilt is no more.
Or have you been wronged? Do you desire justice? However awful the crime, in Jesus we have the certain promise that however much anyone might escape justice here and now, one day all accounts will be put right. Either the wrongdoer will find forgiveness and salvation in Jesus – and deserve it no more or less than you or me – or they refuse him and face the justice of God alone. For this reason, Paul writes in Romans 12: 17-20
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary:
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Pray
Father, thank you that in you we have a sure and certain refuge from all accusation. In you we have forgiveness of sins, we have salvation no matter how guilty we were. Help us to see more clearly how much we needed your forgiveness and how completely you have set us free through your son.
Help us to forgive one another and to overcome evil with good. Sometimes we want revenge, whether small or large – please help us to trust that in your good time you will bring true justice to everyone. Thank you that we didn’t get what we deserved!
Amen
