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the city was Timnath…serah； 〃the portion that remains〃a standing testimony
to the noble character and unselfish spirit of the conqueror； who； instead
of being the first to appropriate the spoils of conquest； deferred his claim
until the humblest of his people had been served。
Six of the cities assigned to the Levitesthree on each side the
Jordanwere appointed as cities of refuge； to which the manslayer might
flee for safety。 The appointment of these cities had been commanded by
Moses； 〃that the slayer may flee thither； which killeth any person at
unawares。 And they shall be unto you cities for refuge；〃 he said； 〃that the
manslayer die not； until he stand before the congregation in judgment。〃
Numbers 35：11；
12。 This merciful provision was rendered necessary by the
ancient custom of private vengeance； by which the punishment of the murderer
devolved on the nearest relative or the next heir of the deceased。 In cases
where guilt was clearly evident it was not necessary to wait for a trial by
the magistrates。 The avenger might pursue the criminal anywhere and put him
to death wherever he should be found。 The Lord did not see fit to abolish
this custom at that time； but He made provision to ensure the safety of
those who should take life unintentionally。
The cities of refuge were so distributed as to be within a half day's
journey of every part of the land。 The roads leading to them were always to
be kept in good repair； all along the way signposts were to be erected
bearing the word 〃Refuge〃 in plain； bold characters； that the fleeing one
might not be delayed for a moment。 Any personHebrew； stranger； or
sojournermight avail himself of this provision。 But while the guiltless
were not to be rashly slain； neither were the guilty to escape punishment。
The case of the fugitive was to be fairly tried by the proper authorities；
and only when found innocent of intentional murder was he to be protected in
the city of refuge。 The guilty were
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given up to the avenger。 And those who were entitled to protection could
receive it only on condition of remaining within the appointed refuge。
Should one wander away beyond the prescribed limits； and be found by the
avenger of blood； his life would pay the penalty of his disregard of the
Lord's provision。 At the death of the high priest； however； all who had
sought shelter in the cities of refuge were at liberty to return to their
possessions。
In a trial for murder the accused was not to be condemned on the testimony
of one witness； even though circumstantial evidence might be strong against
him。 The Lord's direction was； 〃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 to cause him to die。〃 Numbers 35：30。 It was Christ who
gave to Moses these directions for Israel； and when personally with His
disciples on earth； as He taught them how to treat the erring； the Great
Teacher repeated the lesson that one man's testimony is not to acquit or
condemn。 One man's views and opinions are not to settle disputed questions。
In all these matters two or more are to be associated； and together they are
to bear the responsibility； 〃that in the mouth of two or three witnesses
every word may be established。〃 Matthew 18：16。
If the one tried for murder were proved guilty； no atonement or ransom could
rescue him。 〃Whoso sheddeth man's blood； by man shall his blood be shed。〃
Genesis 9：6。 〃Ye shall take no satisfaction for the life of a murderer；
which is guilty of death： but he shall be surely put to death。〃 〃Thou shalt
take him from Mine altar； that he may die；〃 was the command of God； 〃the
land cannot be cleansed of the blood that is shed therein； but by the blood
of him that shed it。〃 Numbers 35：31； 33； Exodus 21：14。 The safety and purity
of the nation demanded that the sin of murder be severely punished。 Human
life； which God alone could give； must be sacredly guarded。
The cities of refuge appointed for God's ancient people were a symbol of the
refuge provided in Christ。 The same merciful Saviour who appointed those
temporal cities of refuge has by the shedding of His own blood provided for
the transgressors of God's law a sure retreat； into which they may flee for
safety from the second death。 No power can take out of His hands the souls
that go to Him for pardon。 〃There is therefore now no
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condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus。〃 〃Who is he that condemneth？
It is Christ that died； yea rather； that is risen again； who is even at the
right hand of God； who also maketh intercession for us；〃 that 〃we might have
a strong consolation； who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set
before us。〃 Romans 8：1； 34； Hebrews 6：18。
He who fled to the city of refuge could make no delay。 Family and employment
were left behind。 There was no time to say farewell to loved ones。 His life
was at stake； and every other interest must be sacrificed to the one
purposeto reach the place of safety。 Weariness was forgotten； difficulties
were unheeded。 The fugitive dared not for one moment slacken his pace until
he was within the wall of the city。
The sinner is exposed to eternal death； until he finds a hiding place in
Christ； and as loitering and carelessness might rob the fugitive of his only
chance for life； so delays and indifference may prove the ruin of the soul。
Satan； the great adversary； is on the track of every transgressor of God's
holy law； and he who is not sensible of his danger； and does not earnestly
seek shelter in the eternal refuge； will fall a prey to the destroyer。
The prisoner who at any time went outside the city of refuge was abandoned
to the avenger of blood。 Thus the people were taught to adhere to the
methods which infinite wisdom appointed for their security。 Even so； it is
not enough that the sinner believe in Christ for the pardon of sin； he must；
by faith and obedience； abide in Him。 〃For if we sin willfully after that we
have received the knowledge of the truth； there remaineth no more sacrifice
for sins； but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery
indignation； which shall devour the adversaries。〃 Hebrews 10：26； 27。
Two of the tribes of Israel； Gad and Reuben； with half the tribe of
Manasseh； had received their inheritance before crossing the Jordan。 To a
pastoral people； the wide upland plains and rich forests of Gilead and
Bashan； offering extensive grazing land for their flocks and herds； had
attractions which were not to be found in Canaan itself； and the two and a
half tribes； desiring to settle here； had pledged themselves to furnish
their proportion of armed men to accompany their brethren across the Jordan
and to share their battles till they also should enter upon their
inheritance。 The obligation had been faithfully discharged。 When the
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ten tribes entered Canaan forty thousand of 〃the children of Reuben； and the
children of Gad； and half the tribe of Manasseh 。 。 。 prepared for war
passed over before the Lord unto battle； to the plains of Jericho。〃 Joshua
4：12； 13。 For years they ha