Fulfillment of the Promise
Joshua 20 gives us
two quick snapshots of faithfulness. The
first is a simple recognition that the promise and command made to Moses is actually
fulfilled here in Joshua. See Exodus
21:12–13, Numbers 35:6–34, and Deuteronomy 19:1–14. The fact that these cities are mentioned in
four of the first six books of the Old Testament should tell us something of
their importance.
The cities of refuge
are established for those who need them.
It may not seem like much, but it is good for us to remember from time
to time that God keeps His promises. It
is good when we are able to participate in those promises. The cities of refuge are a demonstration of
this principle. God promised; Joshua
follows up.
Purpose of the Cities of Refuge
The second reflection
is going to be more of a social comment than a spiritual one. Notice here that the cities of refuge allow a
person quick access to legal protection as well as quick access to the trial of
their case. The point for the ancient
Hebrew people was simple: if you killed someone intentionally, then you were to
receive a severe punishment of execution even if you come to the city of refuge. But if you killed someone unintentionally you
should likewise have easy access to salvation.
These cities were
spread out all over the land. These
cities had roads built to them so that travel would be easy. The point is simply that the perpetrator of
unintentional manslaughter should have a simple means to find refuge and a
simple means to find legal vindication of the accident. The unintentional perpetrator of manslaughter
should find it easy to be acquitted of any crime.
Compare that to
today. How long does our justice system
take? Now, I realize they are dealing
with far more issues than deciding between unintentional manslaughter and
murder. But let’s think seriously for a
second. How much time and resource is
given to our legal system? How many
appeals can a person convicted of murder make?
How long does it take to get a case to trial in the first place? My point is not to say our system is wrong,
but rather to say that at the very least our system is neither quick nor
easy. Furthermore, there is little
protection offered for the vindicated person.
Often people acquitted of their offenses still face social persecution
within their community.
Again, I don’t mean
to make this a spiritual argument.
Neither do I intend to point a downcast finger upon our judicial
system. I simply think it is good for us
to remember that sometimes easy access to legal protection and determined
justice should be lifted up as important as well.
God’s Perspective
To make a spiritual
point, let’s remember that God certainly thinks that ease of true justice is
important. God saw us in our greatest
time of trouble and sent us Jesus Christ.
All we need to do is hear, repent, and obey. Christ paid the price, we simply are called
to obey. We don’t have to do anything to
have grace come to our doorstep. It
really doesn’t get any simpler than that.
I think the legal systems of today could learn from God.
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