Schoolmaster to Christ
NUMBERS CHAPTER 35
Schoolmaster to Christ
NUMBERS CHAPTER 35
Scripture Reading: Numbers 35 (KJV)
The opening lines of this most interesting chapter set before us the gracious provision that Jehovah made for His servants the Levites. Each of the tribes of Israel was privileged to furnish the Levites with a certain number of cities with their suburbs, according to their ability. "All the cities which ye shall give to the Levites shall be forty and eight cities: them shall ye give with their suburbs. And the cities which ye shall give shall be of the possession of the children of Israel: from them that have many ye shall give many; But from them that have few ye shall give few: every one shall give of his cities unto the Levites, according to his inheritance which he inheriteth" (vv. 7, 8).
The Lord's servants were totally dependent on Him for their portion. They had no inheritance or possession except Him. Blessed inheritance, precious portion – in the judgment of faith, there was nothing like it. Blessed are those who can truly say to the Lord, "Thou art the portion of my cup, and the lot of my inheritance." God took care of His dependent servants, and permitted the whole congregation of Israel to taste the hallowed privilege of being co-workers with Him in providing for those who had willingly devoted themselves to His work, abandoning all besides.
Thus, we learn that out of the twelve tribes of Israel, forty and eight cities, with their suburbs, were to be given to the Levites; and out of these the Levites had the privilege of furnishing six cities to be a refuge for the manslayer. This was a lovely provision, both in its origin and its object.
The cities of refuge were situated, three on the eastern and three on the western side of Jordan. Whether Reuben and Gad were right or wrong in settling east of that significant boundary, God in His mercy would not leave the slayer without a refuge from the avenger of blood. On the contrary, He ordained that cities designed as a merciful provision for the slayer should be situated so that whenever there was need of a shelter, that shelter might be near at hand. There was always a city within reach of any who might be exposed to the sword of the avenger. This was worthy of our God. If any slayer happened to fall into the hands of the avenger of blood, it was not for want of a refuge near at hand, but because he had failed to avail himself of it. All necessary provision was made; the cities were named, well defined, and publicly known. Everything was made as plain, as simple, and as easy as possible. Such was God's gracious way.
No doubt, the slayer was responsible to put forth all his energy to reach the sacred precincts; and, no doubt, he would. It is not likely that anyone would be so blind or so infatuated as to fold his arms in cool indifference and say, "If I am fated to escape, I shall escape, my efforts are not needed. If I am not fated to escape, I cannot escape; my efforts are of no use." We cannot fancy a manslayer using such silly language, or being guilty of such blind fatality. He knew too well that if the avenger could lay hands on him, all such notions would be of small account. There was only one thing to be done and that was to escape for his life, to flee from impending judgment, finding his safe abode within the gates of the city of refuge. Once there, he could breathe freely. No evil could overtake him there. The moment He crossed the threshold of the gate, he was as safe as God's provision could make him. If a hair of his head could be touched within the bounds of the city, it would be a dishonor and reproach on the ordinance of God. True, he had to keep close. He dared not venture outside the gate. Within, he was perfectly safe. Without, he was thoroughly exposed. He could not visit his friends. He was an exile from his father's house. He was a prisoner of hope. Absent from the home of his heart's affections, he waited for the death of the high priest, which was to set him perfectly free and once more restore him to his inheritance and his people.
This beautiful ordinance no doubt had special reference to Israel. They killed the Prince of life; but the question is how are they viewed by God – as the murderer or the slayer? If the former, there is no refuge, no hope. No murderer could be sheltered within the city of refuge. Here is the law, as stated in Joshua 20: "The Lord also spake unto Joshua, saying, Speak to the children of Israel, saying, Appoint out for you cities of refuge, whereof I spake unto you by the hand of Moses: that the slayer that killeth any person unawares and unwittingly may flee thither: and they shall be your refuge from the avenger of blood. And when he that doth flee unto one of those cities shall stand at the entering of the gate of the city, and shall declare his cause in the ears of the elders of that city, they shall take him into the city unto them, and give him a place, that he may dwell among them. And if the avenger of blood pursue after him, then they shall not deliver the slayer up into his hand; because he smote his neighbour unwittingly, and hated him not beforetime, And he shall dwell in that city, until he stand before the congregation for judgement, and until the death of the high priest that shall be in those days: then shall the slayer return, and come unto his own city, and unto his own house, unto the city from whence he fled" (vv. 1-6).
But with respect to the murderer; the law was rigid and unbending "The murderer shall surely be put to death. The revenger of blood himself shall slay the murderer, when he meeteth him" (Num. 35).
Were we to view the cities of refuge as bearing on the case of a sinner taking refuge in Christ, it could only be in a very exceptional way, because we would find ourselves surrounded by points of contrast rather than by points of similarity. For instance, in the city of refuge the manslayer was not exempt from judgment, as we learn from Joshua 20:6. But for the true believer in Jesus Christ there is no judgment, because Christ has borne the judgment instead.
Also, regarding the slayer it was a question of temporal safety and life in this world. Regarding the true believer in Jesus Christ, it is a question of eternal salvation and life everlasting in the world to come. In fact, in almost every particular it is striking contrast rather than similarity.
One grand point is common to both – exposure to imminent danger and the urgent need of fleeing for refuge. If it would have been wild folly on the part of the slayer to linger or hesitate until he found himself safely lodged in the city of refuge, it is surely wilder folly, yea, and the height of madness on the part of the sinner to linger or hesitate coming to Christ. The avenger might perhaps fail to lay hold on the slayer even though he was not in the city; but judgment must overtake the sinner out of Christ. If there is the thickness of a gold leaf between the soul and Christ, there is no possibility of escape. Solemn thought – may it have its due weight in the heart still in sin; may such find no rest until entering the refuge, laying hold of the hope offered in the Gospel. Judgment impends, certain, solemn judgment. It is not only that the avenger may come, but judgment must come on all who are out of Christ.
Should this material fall into the hands of such, hear the warning voice. Flee for life. We pray, "Tarry not." Delay is madness. Every moment is precious. We know not the hour in the which we may be cut down, and consigned to that place where not a single ray of hope, not the faintest glimmer can visit us – the place of eternal night, eternal woe, eternal torment; the place of a deathless worm and unquenchable flame. In these few closing lines, we pray that souls will come to Jesus and obey the Gospel. Our loving Father accepts us just as we are. Jesus Christ stands with open arms and loving heart, ready to receive, to shelter, to save, and to bless, according to all the love of His heart, and the perfect efficacy of His name and sacrifice. "Come unto me," says the loving Lord and Savior, "all ye that labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest." May these precious words fall on many a weary heart.
Here we close our meditations (Chapter 36 has been referred to in our consideration of the 17th chapter) on this marvelous section of the Holy Word of God; and, in doing so, we are impressed with a profound sense of the depth and richness of the mine to which we have sought to conduct the serious study of God's Word, and also of the excessive feebleness and poverty of the suggestions that we have been blessed to offer. However, our confidence is in the living God, and we pray that by His Holy Spirit, He will lead the heart and mind of a serious student of Scripture into the enjoyment of His own precious truth, and thus fit such a student, more and more, for His service in these last evil days, that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be magnified, and His truth maintained in living power. May God, in His abounding mercy, grant this, for Jesus Christ's sake.
