The larger portion of this chapter deals with manslaughter and murder, and the consequences of it. Those who determined whether a death was murder or manslaughter must be willing to cast the first stone in the execution of the murderer. The idea of an 'avenger of blood' comes from Genesis 9:6, "Whoever sheds man’s blood, by man his blood shall be shed; For in the image of God He made man."
For those guilty of the lesser charge of manslaughter, their lives were still irrevocably impacted by the event. In essence, the city of refuge became a sort of "prison" in that the one guilty of manslaughter was forced to remain inside to be safe from retribution from the victim's family.
The cities of refuge are a picture, in some regards, of Christ. They were within close proximity and provided the only means of safety. They were open to all and were a place where one must live out their lives. Jesus is our city of refuge.
We are all guilty of sin similar to that of manslaughter - times we didn't intend harm, yet our actions caused harm. Times when we sin against God. We flee to Christ, our refuge, and He provides a safe place for us, despite our sin, because He took our place. His life was taken instead of ours.
Today, millions are looking forward to viewing the first complete solar eclipse to be visible across this country in about a hundred years. There have been many warnings of "fake" eclipse glasses, ones that will not provide the protection required. Similarly, many of us have trusted in "fake" religion - based on our goodness, our religious rituals, our hard work, or our connections. Just as you must have the real glasses to safely view this eclipse, you must have the real savior in order to view heaven.
Some believe the eclipse today is a prophetic sign of Christ's return. Another total eclipse spanning from Maine to Texas will occur in seven years and they posit that this eclipse will usher in the Tribulation. This seems pretty US-centric and as I read scripture, I don't see references in the end times to the US. I'm no expert, but I've seen many times over the years events that 'seemed' prophetic and weren't. I'm skeptical.
But this I know for certain: Christ's return is closer today than it was yesterday and God fulfills His promises. It doesn't take a theologian to recognize that our society is on the brink of disaster from a variety of threats. If you are trusting in anything other than Jesus, today would be a great day to flee to Him for refuge.
Acts 2:20 "The sun will be changed to darkness and the moon to blood before the great and glorious day of the Lord comes."
But if the eclipse today is just an eclipse, as has happened many times since the Creation, we can still be assured that Christ is returning. And we should live accordingly.
2 Peter 3:18 "But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the honor both now and on that eternal day."
For those guilty of the lesser charge of manslaughter, their lives were still irrevocably impacted by the event. In essence, the city of refuge became a sort of "prison" in that the one guilty of manslaughter was forced to remain inside to be safe from retribution from the victim's family.
The cities of refuge are a picture, in some regards, of Christ. They were within close proximity and provided the only means of safety. They were open to all and were a place where one must live out their lives. Jesus is our city of refuge.
We are all guilty of sin similar to that of manslaughter - times we didn't intend harm, yet our actions caused harm. Times when we sin against God. We flee to Christ, our refuge, and He provides a safe place for us, despite our sin, because He took our place. His life was taken instead of ours.
Today, millions are looking forward to viewing the first complete solar eclipse to be visible across this country in about a hundred years. There have been many warnings of "fake" eclipse glasses, ones that will not provide the protection required. Similarly, many of us have trusted in "fake" religion - based on our goodness, our religious rituals, our hard work, or our connections. Just as you must have the real glasses to safely view this eclipse, you must have the real savior in order to view heaven.
Some believe the eclipse today is a prophetic sign of Christ's return. Another total eclipse spanning from Maine to Texas will occur in seven years and they posit that this eclipse will usher in the Tribulation. This seems pretty US-centric and as I read scripture, I don't see references in the end times to the US. I'm no expert, but I've seen many times over the years events that 'seemed' prophetic and weren't. I'm skeptical.
But this I know for certain: Christ's return is closer today than it was yesterday and God fulfills His promises. It doesn't take a theologian to recognize that our society is on the brink of disaster from a variety of threats. If you are trusting in anything other than Jesus, today would be a great day to flee to Him for refuge.
Acts 2:20 "The sun will be changed to darkness and the moon to blood before the great and glorious day of the Lord comes."
But if the eclipse today is just an eclipse, as has happened many times since the Creation, we can still be assured that Christ is returning. And we should live accordingly.
2 Peter 3:18 "But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the honor both now and on that eternal day."
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