December 20, 2022

Passage Read: Numbers 32-35
Meditation Verse: 35:15

Thought

Death is a punishment, the ultimate human punishment for anyone who intentionally commits certain sins, especially murder. But the Lord makes provision for someone who accidentally kills his neighbor, without premeditation or hatred beforehand. Such a man is protected from judgment as long as he stays within his city of refuge. These cities were special places, but they are only vaguely symbols of Jesus. Jesus is a place of refuge for those who committed sin deliberately. Most sinners know that at least some of their deeds are evil, but justify their deeds. Even if they're completely clueless about what God calls sin, they know they have violated their own conscience from time to time, and broken their society's laws here and there. No sinner qualifies as unintentional sinners, so those that flee to Jesus aren't actually innocent, but repentant.

Application

I have no business thinking of myself so highly as to think I deserve a city of refuge, or protection from justice because I sinned unintentionally. I am guilty of deliberate sin countless times over. I can only plead for mercy on the basis of the kindness of my Judge, not on any merit in myself. Yet like a city of refuge, if I ever step outside of Jesus, I am liable to the avenger of blood. I have no sanctuary except in Christ. If I think I've been forgiven and then step outside of Christ, God's wrath is just if it comes upon me. I am only safe from His justice while I remain hidden in Christ.