Six Cities of Refuge

Friday  3-4-16 (Nueva Helvecia, Uruguay)     

Scripture reading for today:  Num. 34 – 36     Mark 11

S=Scripture  O=Observation  A=Application  P=Prayer  SOAP for the soul.

S.  Num 35:10-11 When you cross the Jordan into the land of Canaan, then you shall appoint cities to be cities of refuge for you, that the manslayer who kills any person accidentally may flee there.  NKJV

O.  Moses is instructed by God to have the Israelites protect the innocent from a possible avenger.  He carefully spells out the difference between the case of “manslaughter” and “murder.”  Six “Cities of Refuge” will be setup in certain locations.  These would be safe sanctuaries for a person that accidentally kills another.

A.  A good friend of mine and I will never forget a tragedy which happened many years ago in Argentina.  One of our missionary families was driving on a long trip.  They slowed to go through a little town.  A little girl was riding her bike by the side of the road.  Suddenly she swerved right into the path of my friend’s car.  He stopped as quickly as possible, but it was too late.  The little girl was taken to the hospital, but apparently was already dead.  Thus began a very difficult period in the lives of this missionary couple.  Potential law suites and even imprisonment were possible under the laws of Argentina.  Worst of all... was just knowing that their car, under their control had been the instrument of death to a precious little girl.  It took several years to finally clear them of all fault, but in the meantime they suffered along with the parents of the child.

P.  Lord, we do not know why such tragedies are allowed to happen.  We often wish that we could turn back the clock and do it all over, avoiding the accident.  But Your “Citiies of Refuge” show us Your concern for those who fall into these difficult circumstances with no intention to harm.  And they point us, not to a god of vengeance, but to a God of justice and comfort.  I pray for Your hand upon me as I travel dangerous highways day after day.  My missionary friends and I never want to cause anyone harm.  We just want the privilege of blessing them with Your message of Divine Love.  Amen.

Ralph