ALPHA MAAMA (A.M.)

Sapate ‘Aokosi 15, 2021

God is our refuge and strength

ko e Hūfanga ‘a e ‘Otua´ kiate kitautolu mo ha malohi

Teutalōnome 19 (Deuteronomy 19)

 

* G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible*

Still with his mind on the fact that the people were coming into the land, Moses made further applications of the laws to the new conditions. His words now had to do with life and land and truth and justice.

Cities of refuge were to be provided in order that in the administration of the law which safeguards human life there should be strict justice. The accidental killing of a man was not to be counted equal to premeditated murder. Deliberate killing was to be followed by the death penalty, the cities of refuge offering no harbor to the guilty.

The words concerning the land were brief but clear. No man was to remove an ancient landmark. The far- reaching importance of this will be understood when it is remembered how absolutely man depends on the land for physical sustenance.

Truth as between man and man in all dealings must be maintained at all costs. Anything in the nature of false witness was to be severely punished.

The final words have in them a note of great severity as they sternly insist on the necessity for the strictest justice in all human interrelationships.

 

David Guzik :: Study Guide for Deuteronomy 19

The cities of refuge as a picture of Jesus

The Bible applies this picture of the city of refuge to the believer finding refuge in God on more than one occasion:

Psalm 46:1: God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. More than 15 other times, the Psalms speak of God as being our refuge.

Hebrews 6:18: That by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us.

Both Jesus and the cities of refuge are within easy reach of the needy person; they were of no use unless someone could get to the place of refuge.

Both Jesus and the cities of refuge are open to all, not just the Israelite; no one needs to fear that they would be turned away from their place of refuge in their time of need (Numbers 35:15).

Both Jesus and the cities of refuge became a place where the one in need would live; you didn't come to a city of refuge in time of need just to look around (Numbers 35:25).

Both Jesus and the cities of refuge are the only alternative for the one in need; without this specific protection, they will be destroyed.

Both Jesus and the cities of refuge provide protection only within their boundaries; to go outside meant death (Numbers 35:26-28).

With both Jesus and the cities of refuge, full freedom comes with the death of the High Priest (Numbers 35:25).

A crucial distinction: The cities of refuge only helped the innocent; the guilty can come to Jesus and find refuge!