Bible Pathway - Feb. 28, 2010
Highlights:
Dividing the land of Canaan; the Levites portion.
Verses for Today:
Whoso killeth any person, the murderer shall be put to death by the mouth of witnesses: but one witness (accuser) shall not testify against any person to cause him to die. Moreover ye shall take no satisfaction (ransom) for the life of a murderer, which is guilty of death: but he shall be surely put to death. . . . for blood it defileth the land: and the land cannot be cleansed of the blood that is shed therein, but by the blood of him that shed it (Num. 35;30-31,33).The tribe of Levi, which included the priests, did not inherit a separate territory in the promised land. They were to depend on the tithes of the people, as God had commanded. Forty-eight cities and pasturelands scattered throughout the tribes were assigned to the Levites as their permanent residences (Josh. 21:1-42). Of their 48 cities, six were assigned as cities of refuge, which were easily accessible throughout the 12 tribes. These cities were vitally important as places of safety for those who had unintentionally killed someone until a trial could determine their guilt or innocence (Num. 35:6-7,11,13).
Not all killing is murder and murder should not be confused with killing in times of war. The Lord had sanctioned war in order for Israel to possess the promised land as well as many other wars (31:2; 25:17,18). The prohibition, Thou shalt not kill (Ex. 20:13), means to slay with premeditation and malice. The one who had inadvertently killed another must dwell in the city of refuge after being found not guilty (Num. 35:6-29). Cities of refuge could not harbor anyone guilty of willfully taking another's life. When it was proven that the accused person was guilty of murder, he had to be put to death, regardless of age or whether it was a man or a woman. There was no consideration of being sentenced to time in prison, the possibility of parole, rehabilitation, or any kind of financial settlement.
The prosecution and execution of criminals is an exceedingly painful situation that everyone would prefer to avoid; and yet, it is necessary to maintain justice and the approval of God. Blessed are they that do His Commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. For without are dogs (morally corrupt), and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie (Rev. 22:14-15).
Thought for Today:
For Thou hast magnified Thy Word above all Thy Name (Ps. 138:2).
Christ Revealed:
By the cities of refuge. Christ is our Refuge from the judgment of God and the curse of the Law. We . . . have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us . . . even Jesus (Heb. 6:18,20).
Word Studies:
34:5 fetch a compass =take a turn, goings out =nd; 35:15 unawares =inintentionally; 35:26 come without =go outside; 36:4 jubile =refers to every fiftieth year, when all debts were canceled (Lev. 25:10-12,28).
Prayer Needs:
Pray for International Broadcasts sponsored by Dr. John A. Hash • Bible Pathway Printer: Ambrose Printing Staff, Nashville TN • Government Officials: (28) Sec. Steven Chu (Dept. of Energy), Gov. Togiola Tulafono (American Samoa), and (29) Rep. Bart Stupak (MI) • Country: Austria (8.1 million) in central Europe • Major language: German • Religious freedom • 78% Catholic; 6% Protestant; 3% Other Christian; 2% Muslim; .1% Jewish; 1.9% Other • Prayer Suggestion: Ask that God's will be done in your life (Luke 22:42).
Optional Reading: Luke 15
Memory Verse for the Week: Exodus 20:17
Originally published February 28, 2010.
