Numbers

Numbers 35

This chapter from Numbers is one of those chapters filled with relevant application to our own situation today. Who are the manslayers today? Who are they killers of? Who are the avengers? Is it an individual or a law court or God? Is there any refuge available to these manslayers, and if so, what kind of refuge is it? There are both, physical and spiritual benefits or applications from this chapter. This chapter is primarily focused on the six cities of refuge. These cities are provided by God as a place of refuge – a place where a manslayer could go, and if he was innocent, be safe (vs. 25). The avenger could pursue his course of action freely. If the manslayer was indeed guilty and found to be so, he would be handed over to the avenger. If the manslayer was innocent, but the avenger required revenge, the manslayer was free as long as he remained in his city of refuge until the death of the then incumbent high priest. Should he leave prior to the death of the high priest, then the avenger could slay the manslayer.

The manslayer is regarded as innocent if he killed someone without intent (vs. 15), but he still must flee to the city of refuge because the manslayer could seek to avenge himself. If the manslayer was guilty of murder, then the city of refuge would hold no refuge for him. He would stand trial and once convicted, the avenger could slay him (vs. 19). His conviction could only be verified by a plurality of witnesses. One witness was insufficient to find or pronounce someone guilty (vs. 30). The guilty party had no recourse to a ransom – it was life for life. We find this principle first declared in the Bible in Genesis 9:6 – “Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in his own image.” The law known as lex talionis is found in Genesis 9:5 – “and for your lifeblood I will require a reckoning: from every beast I will require it and from man. From his fellow man I will require a reckoning for the life of man.” [Read more…] about Manslayers, Avengers, & Cities of Refuge

“If a man vows a vow to the LORD, or swears an oath to bind himself by a pledge, he shall not break his word. He shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth. If a woman vows a vow to the LORD and binds herself by a pledge, while within her father’s house in her youth, and her father hears of her vow and of her pledge by which she has bound herself and says nothing to her, then all her vows shall stand, and every pledge by which she has bound herself shall stand.” (Numbers 30:2-4)

The central theme of Numbers is the accomplishment of the promise that God made to Abraham to give him descendants without number (Gen. 12:1–3; 15:1–6; 17:1–8). Supporting themes are the promise of land to be inherited, the blessing of other nations, and the covenant relationship with God. The book of Numbers moves around the subjects of lawgiving and journeying. From Exodus 19:1 to Numbers 10:10, the people of Israel are given the Law of God with all of its moral, ceremonial and civil requirements and obligations. We know this to be the covenant of Law that God gave through Moses. In Numbers 10:11–12:16 the cloud lifts off the Tabernacle in the second year after leaving Egypt and the people again take up their journey toward Canaan. In Numbers 13:1–19:22, we find Israel camped at Kadesh in the wilderness of Paran from where Moses sent out the 12 spies into Canaan. As a result of their bad report and disobedience God promised judgment upon the generation that came out of Egypt and then gave Israel more laws. In Numbers 20:1–22:1, the people journey on from Kadesh to the plains of Moab, and again judgment comes upon them for their disobedience. In Numbers 22:2–36:13, God again has to discipline Israel because they worshipped Baal of Peor and committed sin with the Midianites. This was the result of Balaam’s advice. As a result of this, God gives them more laws. [Read more…] about He Shall Not Break His Word…All Her Vows Shall Stand

“And the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, ‘Because you did not believe in me, to uphold me as holy in the eyes of the people of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land that I have given them.’” (Numbers 20:12)

These words are spoken to Moses primarily because he struck the rock twice with his staff. God’s instruction to Moses had been to speak to the rock and tell it to bring forth water (vs. 8). But Moses was so provoked by the rebellion of Israel that he struck the rock in anger. In mercy, God provided water abundantly form the rock for parched Israel, but in judgment, God pronounced that Moses would not enter the land of promise.

If you have ever seen the movie Peter Pan, you know that toward the end the demise of Captain Hook is declared with those final words: done for. That’s how we feel when we think on this passage. For forty years Moses has put up with Israel with incredible patience, and in one second, he forfeits the privilege of entering Canaan. Doesn’t seem right, does it? Doesn’t seem fair!

The lesson is always the same from God. You cannot get away with sin. Not even a life of faithfulness merits God overlooking sinfulness. God always rewards faithfulness and obedience, but never disobedience or unfaithfulness. How could he? That would make him less than God. The book of Numbers is about the faithfulness of God which comes to Israel through God’s grace. God’s faithfulness is grounded in his covenant with Israel. In spite of the many failures of Israel, God remains committed to bringing them to the land. He judges them and punishes them when they sin and rebel, yet he remains unchanged. [Read more…] about Because You Did Not Believe In Me