Thru the Bible - #170-Deuteronomy 19 - Cities of Refuge

Transcript

Welcome And Today’s Passage

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Welcome to Bereen's Corner, the podcast where we go through books of the Bible chapter by chapter and verse by verse. Wherever you are in the world, thank you for joining. Grab a glass of water, a cup of coffee or tea, and let's get into today's lesson. Alright, yes, let's get into today's lesson.

Reading Deuteronomy 19 Aloud

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The title of today's lesson is Cities of Refuge. Excuse me. I jumped ahead. Open your Bible to Deuteronomy 19. I'm talking as if you know exactly where I'm going. Deuteronomy 19, and the title of today's lesson is Cities of Refuge. Deuteronomy 19, and let's read.

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Deuteronomy 19. When the Lord your God has destroyed the nations whose land he is giving you. And when you have driven them out and settled in their towns and houses, then set aside for yourselves three cities centrally located in the land the Lord your God is giving you to possess. Build roads to them, and divide into three parts the land the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance, so that anyone who kills a man may flee there. This is the rule concerning the man who kills another and flees there to save his life. One who kills his neighbor unintentionally, without malice aforethought. For instance, a man may go into the forest with his neighbor to cut wood, and as he swings his axe to fell a tree, the head may fly off and hit his neighbor and kill him. That man may flee to one of these cities and save his life. Otherwise, the avenger of blood might pursue him in a rage, overtake him if the distance is too great, and kill him, even though he is not deserving of death, since he did it to his neighbor without malice aforethought. This is why I command you to set aside for yourselves three cities. If the Lord your God enlarges your territory, as he promised on oath to your forefathers, and gives you the whole land he promised them, because you carefully follow all these laws I command you today, to love the Lord your God, and to walk always in his ways, then you are to set aside three more cities. Do this so that innocent blood will not be shed in your land, which the Lord your God is giving you as your inheritance, and so that you will not be guilty of bloodshed. But if a man hates his neighbor and lies in wait for him, assaults and kills him, and then flees to one of these cities, the elders of his town shall send for him, bring him back from the city, and hand him over to the Avenger of Blood to die. Show him no pity. You must purge from Israel the guilt of shedding innocent blood, so that it may go well with you. Do not move your neighbor's boundary stone set up by your predecessors in the inheritance you receive in the land the Lord your God is giving you to possess. One witness is not enough to convict a man accused of any crime or offense he may have committed. A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses. If a malicious witness takes the stand to accuse a man of a crime, the two men involved in the dispute must stand in the presence of the Lord before the priests and the judges who are in office at the time. The judges must make a thorough investigation, and if the witness proves to be a liar, giving false testimony against his brother, then do to him as he intended to do to his brother. He must purge the evil from among you. The rest of the people will hear of this and be afraid, and never again will such an evil be done among you. Show no pity, life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.

Why Truth And Justice Matter

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God's people must be committed to truth and justice. One of the fundamental truths of scripture is that God is a God of truth and justice. Wherever God rules, truth matters, justice matters, integrity matters. Whether we are talking about a nation, a church, a family, or an individual believer, if we desire the blessing of God, there must be a commitment to what is right and true, which is something that has been uh brought forth several times as we continue to uh go through this book. Sadly, we live in a world where truth is often ignored, it is sometimes distorted or even manipulated. We live in a culture where facts are frequently sacrificed for agendas, emotions, or personal gain, but God has never changed. God still demands honesty, God still requires justice, God still blesses truth. As Israel prepared to enter the promised land, Moses wanted them to understand an important principle. God expects his people to reflect his character by protecting justice and truth, and he blesses those who do so. Verse 1 reminds us that once Israel entered the land and experienced God's blessings, they were expected to govern themselves according to God's standards of justice and truth. See, God does not bless deceit, fraud, or even dishonesty. He desires that truth and righteousness characterize his people. You can even see uh that talked about in Psalm 89 and verse 14 and Proverbs chapter 12, verse 22. Moses gives five governing principles that work to shape Israel's society. The first is God wanted regional cities of refuge to protect innocent people from unjust restribution. We see this in verses 2 through 10, but we'll start. Uh let me start with verse 1. When the Lord your God cuts off the nations whose land the Lord your God gives you, and you dis uh depossess them and settle in their cities and in their houses. To ensure justice was carried out properly, God instructed Israel to establish cities of refuge throughout the land. Now these cities served as places of protection for individuals who accidentally caused the death of another person. God established eight guidelines concerning these cities. The first is there were to be three cities within the promised land. Verse 2 says, You shall set aside three cities for yourself in the midst of the land. Moses already established three cities east of the Jordan. We saw that uh back in chapter 4 of Deuteronomy, verses 41 through 43. Now God commanded three more within the promised land itself, which brings us to number two. The cities were to be strategically located. Verse 2 says, Which the Lord your God gives you to possess. God wanted these cities placed where God's people could reach them quickly. God's concern for Jesses included accessibility. Which brings us to guideline number three. Roads were to be prepared leading to the cities. Verse 3 says, You shall prepare the roads for yourself. The roads leading to these cities were to be maintained and clearly marked. In many ways, those roads became roles of hope for those in desperate situations. It's kind of like when you're traveling and you're going somewhere and you look up to your right and you see a sign that says, you know, uh, you know, this restaurant this way, or this hotel this way, or whatever it is, you know, this store this way. It's clearly marked. So if it's something that you were in need of, let's say you're driving and you're in need of gas, you knew, okay, right here, exit 33, I can stop and get gas. That's how these cities were to be marked. It was supposed to be very clear what they were and how to get there. Which brings us to guideline number four. The land was to be divided, so refuge was available throughout the nation. Also in verse 3 it says, And divide into three parts the territory of your land. God wanted justice, mercy, and truth available to everyone. Number five. Anyone responsible for a death could flee there. We also notice in verse 3 it says, Uh, I'm sorry, uh, I lost my spot, which the Lord your God would give you as a possession so that any manslayer may flee there. The city provided safety until a proper investigation could take place. Number six. The cities were specifically for cases of unintentional manslaughter. Notice verses four through five. Now this is the case of the manslayer who may flee there and live when he kills his friend unintentionally, not hating him previously. As when a man goes into the forest with his friend to cut wood, and his hand swings the axe to cut down the tree, and the iron head slips off the handle and strikes his friend so that he dies. He may flee to one of these cities and live. Moses gives an illustration of two men cutting wood together when an axe head accidentally flies off and kills one of them. This was not murder, this was an accident. God recognized that circumstances matter and that, excuse me, and that not every death is the same. God is not a God of rigid legalism, he is the God of truth, justice, and grace. See, facts matter, intent matters, circumstances matter.

Eight Guidelines For Cities Of Refuge

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Now, this is a let's look at a beautiful spiritual picture. These cities also provide a wonderful picture of salvation. Once someone entered the city of refuge, he was secure. Likewise, when a sinner places his faith in Jesus Christ, he enters into an internal refuge. Jesus Christ is our ultimate city of refuge. Those who are in Christ are eternally secure, not because of feelings or experience, but because of the promises of God and God's word. We see this in John chapter 10, verses 27 through 29. We also see this in Romans chapter 8 and verse 1, which brings us to the seventh guideline. These cities protected innocent people from emotional retribution. Verses 6 to 7 say, Lest the Avenger of blood pursue the manslayer in the heat of his anger and overtake him, because the way is long, and take his life, though he is not desiring of death, since he had not hated him previously. Therefore I command you, saying, You shall set aside three cities for yourself. Family members might seek revenge in moments of grief and anger. The cities ensure that justice, not emotion, govern the process. And see, this is what happens a lot of time in fits of emotion. Something happens, or you just assume something happened to a loved one, and now you go on this fit of anger. But what the Lord did was He provided the city so a person could have proper justice, they could go there, they could wait it out into proper justice, was taken care of, and there were provisions put in place so that someone couldn't just go on some vigilante manhunt. Number eight. Additional cities were to be added as God expanded their borders. We see this in verses eight through ten. And if the Lord your God enlarges your territory just as he has sworn to your fathers and gives you all the land which he promised to give your fathers, if you carefully observe all the all this commandment which I command you today, to love the Lord your God and to walk in his ways always, then you shall add three more cities for yourself besides these three. So innocent blood will not be shed in the midst of your land which the Lord your God gives you as an inheritance, and blood guiltiness be on you. God promised further blessing if Israel remained obedient. Notice the formula for experiences God for experiencing God's fullest blessings. The first thing was carefully obey God's word. Uh we see that here. We also see that in Joshua chapter 1 and verse 8. Next, love the Lord your God. We see that here. We also see it in Matthew chapter 22, verse 37. Number three, walk continually in his ways. We see that here. We also see that in Micah chapter 6 and verse 8. God never wanted innocent blood shed, his people were to protect life and pursue justice. Which

No Shelter For Premeditated Murder

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brings us to the second set of governing rules. God demanded that intentional murder be punished by death. Verses 11 through 13. But if there is a man who hates his neighbor and lies in wait for him, and rises up against him and strikes him so that he dies and he flees to one of these cities, then the elders of his city shall send and take him from there and deliver him into the hand of the avenger of blood that he may die. You shall not pity him, but you shall purge the blood of the innocent from Israel that it may go well with you. The cities of refuge were never intended to become safe haven for murderers. That's not what they were for. God distinguishes between accidental death and premeditated murder. And then Moses also provides eight guidelines that go along with that. The first is the murderer hated the victim. Verse 11 says, But if there is a man who hated his neighbor and lies in wait for him and rises up against him. So this is someone what we call in a day and time we live in first-degree murder, premeditated murder. This is someone who hated the guy and he was looking for a reason to do this type of harm to him. The second, the murder was premeditated. In 11, it says, and he rises up against him and strikes him so that he dies. The act was planned beforehand. Guideline number three, the murder was deliberately carried out. In 11, it also says, He rises up against him and strikes him so that he dies. Number four, the murderer attempted to flee to a city of refuge. In verse 11, it also says, And he flees to one of these cities. That's him trying to get away, and he's trying to play games as if, oh no, no, I didn't do that intentionally, it was accidental. Guideline number five, the elders were to remove him from the city. Verse 12 says, Then the elders of his city shall send and take him from there and deliver him into the hand of the avenger of blood. So if the elders knew what was going on, they would take him out, literally drag him out of the city. They did not allow that to be a safe haven. And it also says in verse 12 that the Avenger of Blood was to carry out the justice. So they were literally carrying the Avenger blood would be on the outside of the city. They were carrying him out to the Avenger of Blood. Number seven, the guilty person was not to be pitied. Verse 13 says, You shall not pity him. See, justice was not to be overridden by sentimental emotions. You were supposed to just look at it and say, Oh well, it is what it is. He did what he did intentionally, and now he has been dealt with. Guideline number eight. Murder was to be purged from Israel. Verse 13 says, But you shall purge the blood of the innocent from Israel. God takes innocent life seriously. A society that desire God's blessing cannot ignore evil or refuse to punish wrongdoing. Something that God takes very serious. Which brings us to governing rule number three.

Respecting Property Boundaries

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God demanded that property, that uh property boundaries be honored. Verse 14 says, You shall not move your neighbor's boundary mark, which the ancestors have set in your inheritance, which you shall inherit in the land that the Lord your God gives you to possess. Boundary markers identify the family's inheritance in the land. God explicitly forbade moving these boundaries. Why? Because God values honesty, personal responsibility, and respect for the rights of others. And isn't that so true? You know, and that's true today. You know, you're supposed to stay on your property. Don't be slick and try to inch onto your neighbor's property and try to get a couple of feet of his property. You're supposed to be respectful and honorable. Taking what belongs to another person through deception or manipulation is a serious offense in the sight of the Lord. Scripture repeatedly condemns dishonesty and greed. We see that here, and we also see it in Proverbs chapter 22, verse 28, and Proverbs chapter 23, verse 10. I'm giving you all these scriptures because you can go back later and check them out for yourself. God expects his people to respect what he has entrusted others to.

Two Or Three Witnesses Required

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Governing rule number four: every accusation must be confirmed by multiple witnesses. Verse 15 says, A single witness shall not rise up against a man on account of any iniquity or any sin which he has committed. On the evidence of two or three witnesses, a matter shall be confirmed. People, God never intended people to be condemned based solely on one accusation. And we've talked about this before. Trust must be verified. The same for truth. The testimony of two or three witnesses was required before judgment could be rendered. We see this in Matthew chapter 18, verse 16, and we also see it in 2 Corinthians chapter 13, verse 1. God does not approve of flimsy evidence, wrath accusations, or unjust convictions. Truth matters to God. That's why he saveral times, it is not one person, but it is on the backs of two or three.

False Testimony And Fair Punishment

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Governing rule number five: false witnesses were to receive the punishment they intended for others. And that is something that we need in this day and time. Verses 16 through 19 tell us, if a malicious witness rises up against a man to accuse him of wrongdoing, then both the men who have the dispute shall stand before the Lord, before the priests and the judges who will be in office in those days, and the judges shall investigate thoroughly. And if the witness is a false witness, and he has accused his brother falsely, then you shall do to him just as he had intended to do to his brother, that you shall purge the evil from among you. God takes lion seriously, especially in legal matters. Listen, there's no such thing as white lies. God looks down on lion the same, it's something he takes seriously and it's something that he despises. Perjury is not a minor issue in God's eyes. Moses outlines six guidelines here. The first being a malicious witness brings an accusation. Verse 16 said, What? If a malicious witness arises up against a man to accuse him of wrongdoing. The second is the matter is brought before the Lord and proper authorities. Verse 17 said, Then both the men have the dispute, who have the dispute shall stand before the Lord. Ultimately, every courtroom must stand before God. That's everyone. You all with you and me, we're all gonna be held accountable. Number three, a thorough investigation must take place. Verse 18 said, and the judges shall investigate thoroughly. Again, facts matter. God never approves of rushing to judgment. Number four, if the witness is proven false, he received the punishment he sought to inflict. Verse 19 says, Then you shall do to him just as he had intended to do to his brother, just as demands accountability. If you're going to wrongly accuse someone, then you were to receive that punishment. And there are a couple results here we would like to look at. The first is evil is removed from among God's people. Verse 19 says, Uh thus you shall purge the evil from among you. The next result is others will fear and avoid similar sin. We see that in verse 20. And the rest shall hear and be afraid and will never again do such an evil thing among you. Why is that? Because they saw what happened to the other person. Next, other others will excuse me, I'm sorry, we already read that. Number five, justice is not in over is not excuse me, justice is not to be overruled by sentimental feelings. Verse 21 says, Thus you should not show pity. If justice was served, you were to take it on the chin and just let it be what it be. Guideline number six punishment must fit the crime. Also in verse 21, it says, Life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot. God's justice is always fair, measured, and it is proportioned. Now remember, this was the old covenant: life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot. Later on, that would not be the case, but back in this time with Israel, that's why Moses is stressing this, it was.

Christ As Our Ultimate Refuge

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Which brings us to our conclusion. Deuteronomy 19 reminds us that God expects his people to live according to truth and justice. God's people are to protect the innocent, they are to punish wrongdoing, they are to respect the rights of others, they are to verify accusations thoroughly. That's what at 200. Three witnesses come in play set. They are to pursue truth in every area of life. Truth and justice are not optional for God's people because they reflect the very character of God Himself. And we see this in the, you know what, let me let me turn there. You can uh turn if you want, but uh let's go to Isaiah and look at that. If you want to turn there with me real quick, Isaiah 61. Or you can just, you know, wait it out and let me turn there. Isaiah 61 and verse 8 tells us, For I, the Lord, love justice. I hate robbery and the burnt offering, and I will faithfully give them their recompense, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them. When God's people live according to his standards of justice and truth, they position themselves to experience his blessing. And ultimately, every believer can rejoice that we have fled to Christ Jesus, the perfect refuge. He is our refuge where grace, truth, and justice meet perfectly at the cross. And we thank the Lord for it. We thank the Lord that Christ went to the cross to be the sacrifice for you and I, that he is our refuge city. See, back in these days, Israel had an actual refuge city, but in our day and time, in the church time, Christ is our refuge. Okay. That brings us to the end of Deuteronomy chapter 19. As always, I hope that you learned something. I hope that you got something out of this chapter. As always, I appreciate you all a great deal, and I ask you to continue to pray for me. Pray for me spiritually, mentally, and physically. Pray that I stay on a straight narrow path and pray that I am a uh that the Lord is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. And I am praying for you as well. It means a great deal to me that you take time out of your morning, your afternoon, your evening to go through the word of God with me. It means a great deal to me. And as I've always said, some of you, I may not be able to thank you and shake your hand and hug you on this side of eternity, but in eternity, we will be together forever and we'll be able to remember these days when we went through the word of God. As always, I am praying for you as well. I pray that you are doing well in spirit. I say that you are steadfast. I pray I pray that you stay in the scriptures and study it just like a Berean would. Alright, that brings us to the end of today's lesson. That is all for now. God bless. Thank you for listening to Bereen's Corner.

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