Journal 5-8-09

Journal 5-8-2009

Scripture

Deuteronomy 19

Cities of Refuge

¹ 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, ² then set aside for yourselves three cities centrally located in the land the LORD your God is giving you to possess. ³ 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.

⁴ 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. ⁵ For instance, a man may go into the forest with his neighbor to cut wood, and as he swings his ax 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. ⁶ 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. ⁷ This is why I command you to set aside for yourselves three cities.

⁸ 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, ⁹ 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. ¹⁰ 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.

¹¹ 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, ¹² 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. ¹³Show him no pity. You must purge from Israel the guilt of shedding innocent blood, so that it may go well with you.

Observation

God loves everybody. He protects a person who has accidentally killed another. In v3 He provides a place of refuge for us. Interestingly, the insurance companies operate on the same principle; protecting people from accidents.

God is waiting to fulfill his promises. In v8 and v9, God only blesses if we follow his commands. His grace is there at all times. We must be CAREFUL to follow ALL the LAWS (v9)and ALWAYS WALK in HIS WAYS(v10). God doesn’t bless me because of me.

God becomes stern this point on. A God of love and grace is also serious. In v13, He shows no pity if anyone takes advantage of His grace. Oops... Did I just say that? I did.

The shedding of innocent blood is a serious thing. Failure of which is detrimental.

Application

1. I know that my God will love me regardless of my state.

2. I must strive to obey His commands. I must be diligent and disciplined.

3. I must not take his grace and providence. I must purge all malicious thoughts.

4. We must always be aware of our surroundings and always beg God for mercy when innocent blood is shed. (ie. Murders, genocide, terrorist, attacks etc)

Response

Lord, Thank you for revealing your grace to me. You are indeed a God where I can take my refuge and draw my strength. Help me to always obey your commands. Sorry for the times that I wasn’t disciplined and took your grace and providence for granted. I also pray for all innocent blood that has been shed. Let your mercy fall on us. Help us to always provide for the underprivileged. Help us spread your love to the needy. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.