The Gospel in NUMBERS
Commentary by Henry Law, 1858.
"Among the cities which you shall give unto the Levites, there shall be six cities for Refuge." Numb. 35:6.
REFUGE is a thought dear to every Christian heart. It is, as haven to the ship, when clouds blacken--as dove-cote to the bird, when hawks pursue. When once the wrath of God is seen in its true light--when once the conscience has turned pale in terror--when once hell's gulf has opened at the feet--when once the quenchless flames have glared in prospect, despair must seize its prey, unless some Refuge be discerned. But Christ a sure Refuge stands, high as the heavens, wide as infinity, lasting as the endless day.
An emblem now is given--seal of this Gospel-fact. Some types of Christ appeared for a brief season, and then vanished. The guiding cloud, the manna, and the flowing stream ended on Jordan's banks. But here is a sign, which lived through Canaan's history. It never failed, until the cross was reared.
The story of the ordinance is brief. The case was possible, that man, without intent--without one evil or revengeful thought, might stain his hands in human blood. An unaimed blow might fall. An undirected arrow might wound fatally. There might be murder unawares.
When such event took place, a kinsman was permitted to arise in wrath, and claim the slayer's life. The law gave license to take blood for blood. He, who had slain, was open to be slain.
Reader, conceive the hapless injurer's state. Peace--happiness--security, were fled forever. Each sight would startle. Each rustling sound would bring alarm. The crowd was peril, for there the kinsman might unsheath his sword. In deep retirement, some ambush might be laid. Thus every spot and every hour would threaten death to the poor trembler's mind. His life was one continual terror.
But Israel's God ordains a means to rescue from such life long woe. He bids, that several cities should be set apart. In number they are six. They are distributed throughout the land. Thus no place is very distant from these walls. They stand on lofty hills, conspicuous from afar. They are to be sanctuaries. The manslayer, reaching their Refuge, was at once secure. The angry kinsman might not enter. The townsmen might not close their gates, by day nor night--nor cast the fleeing stranger out. Here then security enclosed him in its arms. Here he might turn and boldly face his enemy. He had the felt reality of full escape. He knew, that every danger was left far behind, and that his days might now glide sweetly, without one shadow of alarm. But he must closely keep within the covering walls. Outside there still was danger. If he but stepped beyond the bounds, his life was open to the kinsman's blow.
He must abide thus sheltered, while the high-priest lived. That death dissolved avenging claims--and then the slayer was at large. Instantly he might go forth--and unmolested move from place to place.
It is recorded, that all care was taken to help the slayer in his flight. Wide roads were formed, and kept in strict repair. All hindrances were smoothed. And at each turn, where doubt might rise, posts were erected, which on their pointing arms proclaimed, "Refuge, Refuge!"
Such is the type. Spirit of love, arise to teach! Send forth Your Christ-revealing light! Grant, that some soul may hence discern the truth of Gospel-Refuge.
Poor sinner, this type at once displays your case. The slayer is your counterpart. Perhaps, startled, you cry, "What, are my hands blood-stained?" In answer take this truth. There may be murder, though no man be slain. There may be carnage of duties--talents--time--souls. And alas! there is. No day, no hour, passes in which this guilt is not incurred. Earth seems a battle-field, in which we level blows at God's just claims. It is a charnel-house piled with the skeletons of slaughtered means of grace. Our words and looks are often arrows barbed with deathful poison. Who treads not upon slain opportunities of good? There may not always be premeditation in the sin. But as the manslayer did not plot his deed, so sinners blindly commit these murders through ignorance and unwatched thought.
Take now the sinner awakened to the sense of this guilt. He is as the slayer rushing in terror from the kinsman's wrath. He knows himself to be pursued. Vengeance is pressing at his very heels. An arm is raised to fell him to the ground. The furious sword is glittering near. The bow is bent. The arrow is poised upon the string. Another moment, and the fatal wound is given. His mind is agony. Each fiber quivers. Tremblings beset him. You conscience-stricken, say, is not this your terrified condition?
One kinsman only hunted the slayer. But many adversaries threaten the guilt-stained soul. Mark the long troop. See, how it rushes on. God's JUSTICE takes the lead. It has strong claims. Its wrongs are many. It has clear right to execute revenge. And it is swift, as God is swift--and strong, as God is strong--and dreadful, as God is dreadful. Can man escape? Ah! sinner, tremble! This foe is near. Its wrath is righteous. Its aim is sure. If you are caught in nature's plain, you surely die. If you are clad in nature's armor, you have no safeguard. You must perish.
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