mh_parser/vol_split/4 - Numbers/Chapter 35.xml

<div2 id="Num.xxxvi" n="xxxvi" next="Num.xxxvii" prev="Num.xxxv" progress="81.12%" title="Chapter XXXV">
<h2 id="Num.xxxvi-p0.1">N U M B E R S</h2>
<h3 id="Num.xxxvi-p0.2">CHAP. XXXV.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="Num.xxxvi-p1">Orders having been given before for the dividing
of the land of Canaan among the lay-tribes (as I may call them),
care is here taken for a competent provision for the clergy, the
tribe of Levi, which ministered in holy things. I. Forty-eight
cities were to be assigned them, with their suburbs, some in every
tribe, <scripRef id="Num.xxxvi-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:Num.35.1-Num.35.8" parsed="|Num|35|1|35|8" passage="Nu 35:1-8">ver. 1-8</scripRef>. II. Six
cities out of these were to be for cities of refuge, for any man
that killed another unawares, <scripRef id="Num.xxxvi-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:Num.35.9-Num.35.15" parsed="|Num|35|9|35|15" passage="Nu 35:9-15">ver.
9-15</scripRef>. In the law concerning these observe, 1. In what
case sanctuary was not allowed, namely, that of wilful murder,
<scripRef id="Num.xxxvi-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:Num.35.16-Num.35.21" parsed="|Num|35|16|35|21" passage="Nu 35:16-21">ver. 16-21</scripRef>. 2. In what
cases it was allowed, <scripRef id="Num.xxxvi-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:Num.35.22-Num.35.24" parsed="|Num|35|22|35|24" passage="Nu 35:22-24">ver.
22-24</scripRef>. 3. What was the law concerning those that took
shelter in these cities of refuge, <scripRef id="Num.xxxvi-p1.5" osisRef="Bible:Num.35.25-Num.35.34" parsed="|Num|35|25|35|34" passage="Nu 35:25-34">ver. 25</scripRef>, &amp;c.</p>
<scripCom id="Num.xxxvi-p1.6" osisRef="Bible:Num.35" parsed="|Num|35|0|0|0" passage="Nu 35" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="Num.xxxvi-p1.7" osisRef="Bible:Num.35.1-Num.35.8" parsed="|Num|35|1|35|8" passage="Nu 35:1-8" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Num.35.1-Num.35.8">
<h4 id="Num.xxxvi-p1.8">The Cities of the Levites. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Num.xxxvi-p1.9">b. c.</span> 1452.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Num.xxxvi-p2">1 And the <span class="smallcaps" id="Num.xxxvi-p2.1">Lord</span>
spake unto Moses in the plains of Moab by Jordan <i>near</i>
Jericho, saying,   2 Command the children of Israel, that they
give unto the Levites of the inheritance of their possession cities
to dwell in; and ye shall give <i>also</i> unto the Levites suburbs
for the cities round about them.   3 And the cities shall they
have to dwell in; and the suburbs of them shall be for their
cattle, and for their goods, and for all their beasts.   4 And
the suburbs of the cities, which ye shall give unto the Levites,
<i>shall reach</i> from the wall of the city and outward a thousand
cubits round about.   5 And ye shall measure from without the
city on the east side two thousand cubits, and on the south side
two thousand cubits, and on the west side two thousand cubits, and
on the north side two thousand cubits; and the city <i>shall be</i>
in the midst: this shall be to them the suburbs of the cities.
  6 And among the cities which ye shall give unto the Levites
<i>there shall be</i> six cities for refuge, which ye shall appoint
for the manslayer, that he may flee thither: and to them ye shall
add forty and two cities.   7 <i>So</i> all the cities which
ye shall give to the Levites <i>shall be</i> forty and eight
cities: them <i>shall ye give</i> with their suburbs.   8 And
the cities which ye shall give <i>shall be</i> of the possession of
the children of Israel: from <i>them that have</i> many ye shall
give many; but from <i>them that have</i> few ye shall give few:
every one shall give of his cities unto the Levites according to
his inheritance which he inheriteth.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Num.xxxvi-p3">The laws about the tithes and offerings had
provided very plentifully for the maintenance of the Levites, but
it was not to be thought, nor indeed was it for the public good,
that when they came to Canaan they should all live about the
tabernacle, as they had done in the wilderness, and therefore care
must be taken to provide habitations for them, in which they might
live comfortably and usefully. It is this which is here taken care
of.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Num.xxxvi-p4">I. Cities were allotted them, with their
suburbs, <scripRef id="Num.xxxvi-p4.1" osisRef="Bible:Num.35.2" parsed="|Num|35|2|0|0" passage="Nu 35:2"><i>v.</i> 2</scripRef>. They
were not to have any ground for tillage; they needed not to <i>sow,
nor reap, nor gather into barns,</i> for their heavenly Father fed
them with the tithe of the increase of other people's labours, that
they might the more closely attend to the study of the law, and
might have more leisure to teach the people; for they were not fed
thus easily that they might live in idleness, but that they might
give themselves wholly to the business of their profession, and not
be entangled in the affairs of this life. 1. Cities were allotted
them, that they might live near together, and converse with one
another about the law, to their mutual edification; and that in
doubtful cases they might consult one another, and in all cases
strengthen one another's hands. 2. These cities had suburbs annexed
to them for their cattle (<scripRef id="Num.xxxvi-p4.2" osisRef="Bible:Num.35.3" parsed="|Num|35|3|0|0" passage="Nu 35:3"><i>v.</i>
3</scripRef>), a thousand cubits from the wall was allowed them for
out-houses to keep their cattle in, and then two thousand more for
fields to graze their cattle in, <scripRef id="Num.xxxvi-p4.3" osisRef="Bible:Num.35.4-Num.35.5" parsed="|Num|35|4|35|5" passage="Nu 35:4,5"><i>v.</i> 4, 5</scripRef>. Thus was care taken that
they should not only live, but live plentifully, and have all
desirable conveniences about them, that they might not be looked
upon with contempt by their neighbours.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Num.xxxvi-p5">II. These cities were to be assigned them
out of the possessions of each tribe, <scripRef id="Num.xxxvi-p5.1" osisRef="Bible:Num.35.8" parsed="|Num|35|8|0|0" passage="Nu 35:8"><i>v.</i> 8</scripRef>. 1. That each tribe might thus
make a grateful acknowledgment to God out of their real as well as
out of their personal estates (for what was given to the Levites
was accepted as given to the Lord) and thus their possessions were
sanctified to them. 2. That each tribe might have the benefit of
the Levites' dwelling among them, to <i>teach them the good
knowledge of the Lord;</i> thus that light was diffused through all
parts of the country, and none were left to sit in darkness,
<scripRef id="Num.xxxvi-p5.2" osisRef="Bible:Deut.33.10" parsed="|Deut|33|10|0|0" passage="De 33:10">Deut. xxxiii. 10</scripRef>, <i>They
shall teach Jacob thy judgments.</i> Jacob's curse on Levi's anger
was, <i>I will scatter them in Israel,</i> <scripRef id="Num.xxxvi-p5.3" osisRef="Bible:Gen.49.7" parsed="|Gen|49|7|0|0" passage="Ge 49:7">Gen. xlix. 7</scripRef>. But that curse was turned into a
blessing, and the Levites, by being thus scattered, were put into a
capacity of doing so much the more good. It is a great mercy to a
country to be replenished in all parts with faithful ministers.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Num.xxxvi-p6">III. The number allotted them was
forty-eight in all, four out of each of the twelve tribes, one with
another. Out of the united tribes of Simeon and Judah nine, out of
Naphtali three, and four apiece out of the rest, as appears,
<scripRef id="Num.xxxvi-p6.1" osisRef="Bible:Josh.21.1-Josh.21.45" parsed="|Josh|21|1|21|45" passage="Jos 21:1-45">Josh. xxi</scripRef>. Thus were
they blessed with a good ministry, and that ministry with a
comfortable maintenance, not only in tithes, but in glebe-lands.
And, though the gospel is not so particular as the law was in this
matter, yet it expressly provides that he that is <i>taught in the
word</i> should <i>communicate unto him that teaches in all good
things,</i> <scripRef id="Num.xxxvi-p6.2" osisRef="Bible:Gal.6.6" parsed="|Gal|6|6|0|0" passage="Ga 6:6">Gal. vi. 6</scripRef>.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Num.xxxvi-p6.3" osisRef="Bible:Num.35.9-Num.35.34" parsed="|Num|35|9|35|34" passage="Nu 35:9-34" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Num.35.9-Num.35.34">
<h4 id="Num.xxxvi-p6.4">The Cities of Refuge. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Num.xxxvi-p6.5">b. c.</span> 1452.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Num.xxxvi-p7">9 And the <span class="smallcaps" id="Num.xxxvi-p7.1">Lord</span>
spake unto Moses, saying,   10 Speak unto the children of
Israel, and say unto them, When ye be come over Jordan into the
land of Canaan;   11 Then ye shall appoint you cities to be
cities of refuge for you; that the slayer may flee thither, which
killeth any person at unawares.   12 And they shall be unto
you cities for refuge from the avenger; that the manslayer die not,
until he stand before the congregation in judgment.   13 And
of these cities which ye shall give six cities shall ye have for
refuge.   14 Ye shall give three cities on this side Jordan,
and three cities shall ye give in the land of Canaan, <i>which</i>
shall be cities of refuge.   15 These six cities shall be a
refuge, <i>both</i> for the children of Israel, and for the
stranger, and for the sojourner among them: that every one that
killeth any person unawares may flee thither.   16 And if he
smite him with an instrument of iron, so that he die, he <i>is</i>
a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death.   17
And if he smite him with throwing a stone, wherewith he may die,
and he die, he <i>is</i> a murderer: the murderer shall surely be
put to death.   18 Or <i>if</i> he smite him with an hand
weapon of wood, wherewith he may die, and he die, he <i>is</i> a
murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death.   19 The
revenger of blood himself shall slay the murderer: when he meeteth
him, he shall slay him.   20 But if he thrust him of hatred,
or hurl at him by laying of wait, that he die;   21 Or in
enmity smite him with his hand, that he die: he that smote
<i>him</i> shall surely be put to death; <i>for</i> he <i>is</i> a
murderer: the revenger of blood shall slay the murderer, when he
meeteth him.   22 But if he thrust him suddenly without
enmity, or have cast upon him any thing without laying of wait,
  23 Or with any stone, wherewith a man may die, seeing
<i>him</i> not, and cast <i>it</i> upon him, that he die, and
<i>was</i> not his enemy, neither sought his harm:   24 Then
the congregation shall judge between the slayer and the revenger of
blood according to these judgments:   25 And the congregation
shall deliver the slayer out of the hand of the revenger of blood,
and the congregation shall restore him to the city of his refuge,
whither he was fled: and he shall abide in it unto the death of the
high priest, which was anointed with the holy oil.   26 But if
the slayer shall at any time come without the border of the city of
his refuge, whither he was fled;   27 And the revenger of
blood find him without the borders of the city of his refuge, and
the revenger of blood kill the slayer; he shall not be guilty of
blood:   28 Because he should have remained in the city of his
refuge until the death of the high priest: but after the death of
the high priest the slayer shall return into the land of his
possession.   29 So these <i>things</i> shall be for a statute
of judgment unto you throughout your generations in all your
dwellings.   30 Whoso killeth any person, the murderer shall
be put to death by the mouth of witnesses: but one witness shall
not testify against any person <i>to cause him</i> to die.  
31 Moreover ye shall take no satisfaction for the life of a
murderer, which <i>is</i> guilty of death: but he shall be surely
put to death.   32 And ye shall take no satisfaction for him
that is fled to the city of his refuge, that he should come again
to dwell in the land, until the death of the priest.   33 So
ye shall not pollute the land wherein ye <i>are:</i> for blood it
defileth the land: and the land cannot be cleansed of the blood
that is shed therein, but by the blood of him that shed it.  
34 Defile not therefore the land which ye shall inhabit, wherein I
dwell: for I the <span class="smallcaps" id="Num.xxxvi-p7.2">Lord</span> dwell among
the children of Israel.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Num.xxxvi-p8">We have here the orders given concerning
the cities of refuge, fitly annexed to what goes before, because
they were all Levites' cities. In this part of the constitution
there is a great deal both of good law and pure gospel.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Num.xxxvi-p9">I. Here is a great deal of good law, in the
case of murder and manslaughter, a case of which the laws of all
nations have taken particular cognizance. It is here enacted and
provided, consonant to natural equity,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Num.xxxvi-p10">1. That wilful murder should be punished
with death, and in that case no sanctuary should be allowed, no
ransom taken, nor any commutation of the punishment accepted: The
<i>murderer shall surely be put to death,</i> <scripRef id="Num.xxxvi-p10.1" osisRef="Bible:Num.35.16" parsed="|Num|35|16|0|0" passage="Nu 35:16"><i>v.</i> 16</scripRef>. It is supposed to be done <i>of
hatred</i> (<scripRef id="Num.xxxvi-p10.2" osisRef="Bible:Num.35.20" parsed="|Num|35|20|0|0" passage="Nu 35:20"><i>v.</i> 20</scripRef>),
or <i>in enmity</i> (<scripRef id="Num.xxxvi-p10.3" osisRef="Bible:Num.35.21" parsed="|Num|35|21|0|0" passage="Nu 35:21"><i>v.</i>
21</scripRef>), upon a sudden provocation (for our Saviour makes
rash anger, as well as malice prepense, to be murder, <scripRef id="Num.xxxvi-p10.4" osisRef="Bible:Matt.5.21-Matt.5.22" parsed="|Matt|5|21|5|22" passage="Mt 5:21,22">Matt. v. 21, 22</scripRef>), whether the
person be murdered with an instrument of iron (<scripRef id="Num.xxxvi-p10.5" osisRef="Bible:Num.35.16" parsed="|Num|35|16|0|0" passage="Nu 35:16"><i>v.</i> 16</scripRef>) or wood (<scripRef id="Num.xxxvi-p10.6" osisRef="Bible:Num.35.18" parsed="|Num|35|18|0|0" passage="Nu 35:18"><i>v.</i> 18</scripRef>), or with a stone thrown at him
(<scripRef id="Num.xxxvi-p10.7" osisRef="Bible:Num.35.17 Bible:Num.35.20" parsed="|Num|35|17|0|0;|Num|35|20|0|0" passage="Nu 35:17,20"><i>v.</i> 17, 20</scripRef>); nay,
if he smite him with his hand in enmity, and death ensue, it is
murder (<scripRef id="Num.xxxvi-p10.8" osisRef="Bible:Num.35.21" parsed="|Num|35|21|0|0" passage="Nu 35:21"><i>v.</i> 21</scripRef>); and
it was an ancient law, consonant to the law of nature, that
<i>whoso sheds man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed,</i>
<scripRef id="Num.xxxvi-p10.9" osisRef="Bible:Gen.9.6" parsed="|Gen|9|6|0|0" passage="Ge 9:6">Gen. ix. 6</scripRef>. Where wrong has
been done restitution must be made; and, since the murderer cannot
restore the life he has wrongfully taken away, his own must be
exacted from him in lieu of it, not (as some have fancied) to
satisfy the manes or ghost of the person slain, but to satisfy the
law and the justice of a nation; and to be a warning to all others
not to do likewise. It is here said, and it is well worthy the
consideration of all princes and states, <i>that blood defiles</i>
not only the conscience of the murderer, who is thereby proved
<i>not to have eternal life abiding in him</i> (<scripRef id="Num.xxxvi-p10.10" osisRef="Bible:1John.3.15" parsed="|1John|3|15|0|0" passage="1Jo 3:15">1 John iii. 15</scripRef>), but also the land in which
it is shed; so very offensive is it to God and all good men, and
the worst of nuisances. And it is added that <i>the land cannot be
cleansed</i> from the blood of the murdered, but by the blood of
the murderer, <scripRef id="Num.xxxvi-p10.11" osisRef="Bible:Num.35.33" parsed="|Num|35|33|0|0" passage="Nu 35:33"><i>v.</i> 33</scripRef>.
If murderers escape punishment from men, those that suffer them to
escape will have a great deal to answer for, and God will
nevertheless not suffer them to escape his righteous judgments.
Upon the same principle it is provided that no satisfaction should
be taken for the <i>life of a murderer</i> (<scripRef id="Num.xxxvi-p10.12" osisRef="Bible:Num.35.31" parsed="|Num|35|31|0|0" passage="Nu 35:31"><i>v.</i> 31</scripRef>): <i>If a man would give all the
substance of his house</i> to the judges, to the country, or to the
avenger of blood, to atone for his crime, it must <i>utterly be
contemned.</i> The redemption of the life is so precious that it
cannot be obtained by the <i>multitude of riches</i> (<scripRef id="Num.xxxvi-p10.13" osisRef="Bible:Ps.49.6-Ps.49.8" parsed="|Ps|49|6|49|8" passage="Ps 49:6-8">Ps. xlix. 6-8</scripRef>), which perhaps may
allude to this law. A rule of law comes in here (which is a rule of
our law in cases of treason only) that no man shall be put to death
upon the testimony of one witness, but it was necessary there
should be two (<scripRef id="Num.xxxvi-p10.14" osisRef="Bible:Num.35.30" parsed="|Num|35|30|0|0" passage="Nu 35:30"><i>v.</i>
30</scripRef>); this law is settled in all capital cases, <scripRef id="Num.xxxvi-p10.15" osisRef="Bible:Deut.17.6 Bible:Deut.19.15" parsed="|Deut|17|6|0|0;|Deut|19|15|0|0" passage="De 17:6,19:15">Deut. xvii. 6; xix. 15</scripRef>. And,
<i>lastly,</i> not only the prosecution, but the execution, of the
murderer, is committed to the next of kin, who, as he was to be the
redeemer of his kinsman's estate if it were mortgaged, so he was to
be the <i>avenger of his blood if he were murdered</i> (<scripRef id="Num.xxxvi-p10.16" osisRef="Bible:Num.35.19" parsed="|Num|35|19|0|0" passage="Nu 35:19"><i>v.</i> 19</scripRef>): <i>The avenger of
blood himself shall slay the murderer,</i> if he be convicted by
the <i>notorious evidence of the fact,</i> and he needed not to
have recourse by a judicial process to the court of judgment. But
if it were uncertain who the murderer was, and the proof doubtful,
we cannot think that his bare suspicion, or surmise, would empower
him to do that which the judges themselves could not do but upon
the testimony of two witnesses. Only if the fact were plain then
the next heir of the person slain might himself, in a just
indignation, slay the murderer wherever he met him. Some think this
must be understood to be after the lawful judgment of the
magistrate, and so the Chaldee says, "He shall slay him, <i>when he
shall be condemned unto him by judgment;</i>" but it should seem,
by <scripRef id="Num.xxxvi-p10.17" osisRef="Bible:Num.35.24" parsed="|Num|35|24|0|0" passage="Nu 35:24"><i>v.</i> 24</scripRef>, that the
judges interposed only in a doubtful case, and that if the person
on whom he took vengeance was indeed the murderer, and a wilful
murderer, the avenger was innocent (<scripRef id="Num.xxxvi-p10.18" osisRef="Bible:Num.35.27" parsed="|Num|35|27|0|0" passage="Nu 35:27"><i>v.</i> 27</scripRef>), only, if it proved otherwise,
it was at his peril. Our law allows an appeal to be brought against
a murderer by the widow, or next heir, of the person murdered, yea,
though the murderer have been acquitted upon an indictment; and, if
the murderer be found guilty upon that appeal, execution shall be
awarded at the suit of the appellant, who may properly be called
<i>the avenger of blood.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Num.xxxvi-p11">2. But if the homicide was not voluntary,
nor done designedly, if it was <i>without enmity, or lying in
wait</i> (<scripRef id="Num.xxxvi-p11.1" osisRef="Bible:Num.35.22" parsed="|Num|35|22|0|0" passage="Nu 35:22"><i>v.</i> 22</scripRef>),
not <i>seeing</i> the person or not <i>seeking his harm</i>
(<scripRef id="Num.xxxvi-p11.2" osisRef="Bible:Num.35.23" parsed="|Num|35|23|0|0" passage="Nu 35:23"><i>v.</i> 23</scripRef>), which our
law calls chance-medley, or homicide <i>per infortunium—through
misfortune,</i> in this case there were cities of refuge appointed
for the manslayer to flee to. By our law this incurs a forfeiture
of goods, but a pardon is granted of course upon the special matter
found. Concerning the cities of refuge the law was, (1.) That, if a
man killed another, in these cities he was safe, and under the
protection of the law, till he had his trial <i>before the
congregation,</i> that is, before the judges in open court. If he
neglected thus to surrender himself, it was at his peril; if the
avenger of blood met him elsewhere, or overtook him loitering in
his way to the city of refuge, and slew him, his blood was upon his
own head, because he did not make use of the security which God had
provided for him. (2.) If, upon trial, it were found to be willful
murder, the city of refuge should no longer be a protection to him;
it was already determined: <i>Thou shalt take him from my altar,
that he may die,</i> <scripRef id="Num.xxxvi-p11.3" osisRef="Bible:Exod.21.14" parsed="|Exod|21|14|0|0" passage="Ex 21:14">Exod. xxi.
14</scripRef>. (3.) But if it were found to be by error or
accident, and that the stroke was given without any design upon the
life of the person slain or any other, then the man-slayer should
continue safe in <i>the city of refuge,</i> and the avenger of
blood might not meddle with him, <scripRef id="Num.xxxvi-p11.4" osisRef="Bible:Num.35.25" parsed="|Num|35|25|0|0" passage="Nu 35:25"><i>v.</i> 25</scripRef>. There he was to remain in
banishment from his own house and patrimony <i>till the death of
the high priest;</i> and, if at any time he went out of that city
or the suburbs of it, he put himself out of the protection of the
law, and the avenger of blood, if he met him, might slay him,
<scripRef id="Num.xxxvi-p11.5" osisRef="Bible:Num.35.26-Num.35.28" parsed="|Num|35|26|35|28" passage="Nu 35:26-28"><i>v.</i> 26-28</scripRef>. Now,
[1.] By the preservation of the life of the man-slayer God would
teach us that men ought not to suffer for that which is rather
their unhappiness than their crime, rather the act of Providence
than their own act, for <i>God delivered him into his hand,</i>
<scripRef id="Num.xxxvi-p11.6" osisRef="Bible:Exod.21.13" parsed="|Exod|21|13|0|0" passage="Ex 21:13">Exod. xxi. 13</scripRef>. [2.] By the
banishment of the man-slayer from his own city, and his confinement
to the city of refuge, where he was in a manner a prisoner, God
would teach us to conceive a dread and horror of the guilt of
blood, and to be very careful of life, and always afraid lest by
oversight or negligence we occasion the death of any. [3.] By the
limiting of the time of the offender's banishment to the death of
the high priest, an honour was put upon that sacred office. The
high priest was to be looked upon as so great a blessing to his
country that when he died their sorrow upon that occasion should
swallow up all other resentments. The cities of refuge being all of
them Levites' cities, and the high priest being the head of that
tribe, and consequently having a peculiar dominion over these
cites, those that were confined to them might properly be looked
upon as his prisoners, and so his death must be their discharge; it
was, as it were, at his suit that the delinquent was imprisoned,
and therefore at his death it fell. <i>Actio moritur cum
persona—The suit expires with the party.</i> Anisworth has another
notion of it, That as the high priests, while they lived, by their
service and sacrificing made atonement for sin, wherein they
prefigured Christ's satisfaction, so, at their death, those were
released that had been exiled for casual murder, which typified
redemption in Israel. [4.] By the abandoning of the prisoner to the
avenger of blood, in case he at any time went out of the limits of
the city of refuge, they were taught to adhere to the methods which
Infinite Wisdom prescribed for their security. It was for the
honour of a remedial law that it should be so strictly observed.
How can we expect to be saved if we neglect the salvation, which is
indeed a great salvation!</p>
<p class="indent" id="Num.xxxvi-p12">II. Here is a great deal of good gospel
couched under the type and figure of the cities of refuge; and to
them the apostle seems to allude when he speaks of our <i>fleeing
for refuge to the hope set before is</i> (<scripRef id="Num.xxxvi-p12.1" osisRef="Bible:Heb.6.18" parsed="|Heb|6|18|0|0" passage="Heb 6:18">Heb. vi. 18</scripRef>), and being <i>found in
Christ,</i> <scripRef id="Num.xxxvi-p12.2" osisRef="Bible:Phil.3.9" parsed="|Phil|3|9|0|0" passage="Php 3:9">Phil. iii. 9</scripRef>. We
never read in the history of the Old Testament of any use made of
these cities of refuge, any more than of other such institutions,
which yet, no doubt, were made use of upon the occasions intended;
only we read of those that, in dangerous cases, took hold of <i>the
horns of the altar</i> (<scripRef id="Num.xxxvi-p12.3" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.1.50 Bible:1Kgs.2.28" parsed="|1Kgs|1|50|0|0;|1Kgs|2|28|0|0" passage="1Ki 1:50,2:28">1 Kings
i. 50; ii. 28</scripRef>); for the altar, wherever that stood, was,
as it were the capital <i>city of refuge.</i> But the law
concerning these cities was designed both to raise and to encourage
the expectations of those who looked for redemption in Israel,
which should be to those who were convinced of sin, and in terror
by reason of it, as the cities of refuge were to the man-slayer.
Observe, 1. There were several cities of refuge, and they were so
appointed in several parts of the country that the man-slayer,
wherever he dwelt in the land of Israel, might in half a day reach
one or other of them; so, though there is but one Christ appointed
for our refuge, yet, wherever we are, he is a refuge at hand, a
very present help, for <i>the word is nigh us</i> and Christ in the
word. 2. The man-slayer was safe in any of these cities; so in
Christ believers that flee to him, and rest in him, are protected
from the wrath of God and the curse of the law. <i>There is no
condemnation to those that are in Christ Jesus,</i> <scripRef id="Num.xxxvi-p12.4" osisRef="Bible:Rom.8.1" parsed="|Rom|8|1|0|0" passage="Ro 8:1">Rom. viii. 1</scripRef>. Who shall condemn those
that are thus sheltered? 3. They were all Levites' cities; it was a
kindness to the poor prisoner that though he might not go up to the
place where the ark was, yet he was in the midst of Levites, who
would teach him the good knowledge of the Lord, and instruct him
how to improve the providence he was now under. It might also be
expected that the Levites would comfort and encourage him, and bid
him welcome; so it is the work of gospel ministers to bid poor
sinners welcome to Christ, and to assist and counsel those that
through grace are in him. 4. Even strangers and sojourners, though
they were not native Israelites, might take the benefit of these
cities of refuge, <scripRef id="Num.xxxvi-p12.5" osisRef="Bible:Num.35.15" parsed="|Num|35|15|0|0" passage="Nu 35:15"><i>v.</i>
15</scripRef>. So in Christ Jesus no difference in made between
Greek and Jew; even the <i>sons of the stranger</i> that by faith
flee to Christ shall be safe in him. 5. Even the suburbs or borders
of the city were a sufficient security to the offender, <scripRef id="Num.xxxvi-p12.6" osisRef="Bible:Num.35.26-Num.35.27" parsed="|Num|35|26|35|27" passage="Nu 35:26,27"><i>v.</i> 26, 27</scripRef>. So there is
virtue even in the hem of Christ's garment for the healing and
saving of poor sinners. If we cannot reach to a full assurance, we
may comfort ourselves in a good hope through grace. 6. The
protection which the man-slayer found in the city of refuge was not
owing to the strength of its walls, or gates, or bars, but purely
to the divine appointment; so it is the word of the gospel that
gives souls safety in Christ, <i>for him hath God the Father
sealed.</i> 7. If the offender was ever caught struggling out of
the borders of his city of refuge, or stealing home to his house
again, he lost the benefit of his protection, and lay exposed to
the avenger of blood; so those that are in Christ must abide in
Christ, for it is at their peril if they forsake him and wander
from him. <i>Drawing back is to perdition.</i></p>
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