- Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, When you cross the Jordan into the land of Canaan, then you shall select cities to be cities of refuge for you, that the manslayer who kills any person without intent may flee there. Numbers 35:10-11 – God knew ahead of time there would be reasons for disunity that would arise among His people. Due to His desire for peace between His people He set up ways so they could dissolve the tension and find peace, all before the reason of tension even took place. In our story God has given us in scripture ways to resolve the tension we have with others in order to find peace. He’s given us safe places in the church to run to and leaders who can help in the process. He’s given us the prime example of Jesus to show us how peace can be found between the hurt and the one who hurt. The question asked of you is will you seek out this peace or be like the one in our passage that lies in wait to avenge his hurt? While the hurt caused by someone else is real, it very well could be unintentional. Yet the way you respond to that hurt can either bring healing or bring a wedge that will create a divide bigger than you can imagine. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1451
- Numbers 35 – Pastor Mac Daily DEVO And the congregation shall rescue the manslayer from the hand of the avenger of blood, and the congregation shall restore him to his city of refuge to which he had fled, and he shall live in it until the death of the high priest who was anointed with the holy oil. Numbers 35:25 – This chapter is primarily focusing on something God established among the people of Israel known as cities of refuge. While murder was still a very possible action that could be taken by someone, accidental deaths also still occurred. To give the individual a chance to prove their innocence if someone accidently died by their hands these cities were established where they could flee to. There they could be heard out and have their case examined by the congregation. This was a beautiful concept God set up for it opened the doors to grace, justice, and unity to found even within a horrible situation. When thinking about what these cities of refuge were to the people of Israel, this is what Jesus has become for us. A place we can run to, a place we can find refuge in, and a place we can find a clearing of our guilt. The one difference is we aren’t innocent like the ones fleeing to these cities. They accidently killed someone while we have purposedly walked into our sin over and over and over again. If we stood before the Father, we would be deemed guilty of death…But God. Thankfully that’s not how our story unfolds because of Jesus. Even guilty we can come to Jesus for refuge and find mercy, grace, forgiveness, and salvation. As we step into Holy Week, keep this idea of Jesus as your city of refuge and source of mercy. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2316
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