Daily Manna

Key Verse

“Thou shalt prepare thee a way, and divide the coasts of thy land, which the LORD thy God giveth thee to inherit, into three parts, that every slayer may flee thither” (Deuteronomy 19:3).

TEXT — Deuteronomy 19:1-13

Message

That God holds justice, mercy and equity in equal measure is evident in our passage today. The sanctity of human life is protected by the imposition of the death penalty on a wilful murderer. But what happens in the event of manslaughter? If an “avenger of blood” was to kill a man who had been unintentionally responsible for the death of a close relative, the land would be guilty of innocent blood. God proffered a solution to this problem by prescribing the creation of sanctuary cities to which the slayer could flee and live in until the death of the sitting High Priest. Thereafter, he could return to his native city without any fear of retaliation. These “cities of refuge” were to be made amply available and readily accessible, the roads well-paved and clearly signposted to aid the fugitive in his flight.

The refuge offered by Israel’s sanctuary cities was from temporal and physical danger. But there is the burning hell, a calamity of eternal proportions, awaiting all who persist in a life of sin unless, of course, they flee to Christ the crucified Saviour, for salvation. It was to Him that Moses’ cities of refuge pointed. All who by faith in Christ’s atoning blood seek pardon shall find mercy and forgiveness even for the worst sins imaginable.

Fleeing to the city of refuge was an act of faith. The fugitive believed in the efficacy of the city’s status to deliver him from bitter death, if only he could reach the city gates ahead of the pursuing avenger of blood. There was no room for doubts or dithering.

There is no need to continue suffering the agony of guilt or the prospect of eternal punishment for sins when Christ, our refuge from Satan’s accusation, beckons. He waits with open arms and love in His eyes, to receive you into justification and eternal life. Come to Jesus by faith today and it would be your wisdom.

Thought for the day

Flee to the Rock of ages to escape the dock of ages at God’s judgment bar.

• Bible
• in one year
• JUDGES 14-17 (Read By Alexander Scourby)