Refuge

Human beings crave justice. The child who honestly complains that something is “not fair” is proving they were created in the image of God. When justice is delayed we recoil, knowing that “Because the sentence against an evil deed is not executed speedily, the heart of the children of man is fully set to do evil” (Ecclesiastes 8:11). On the other hand, the character of God makes allowance for both sides to be heard. After all, “The one who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him” (Proverbs 18:17). In the Old Testament God directs the Jewish people to establish six cities that would serve as asylum for the accused (Numbers 35:6). It gave time for a fair trial, a sober verdict, and a just opportunity for the priest or state to bear the sword (Romans 13:4), but not the avenger or vigilante. In the same way Christ serves as our refuge from the just wrath of an avenging God. He is the ark (1 Peter 3:21), the refuge (Psalm 18:2), and the ultimate judge who combines punishment and grace in holy harmony. Through faith he maintains justice and rescues us at the same time (Romans 3:26).

I Know What You Have

Sometimes commands in Scripture appear to be overlooking something. Obedience is required without taking into account the unique features of individual situations. Humanity is given instructions that cannot be customized. It appears to set some of us up to fail. These are not helpful thoughts. They are also not biblical. Take the children of Israel for example. The tribes of Reuben and Gad were told to leave their families and farms behind in the plains opposite the Promised Land, and go fight the natives. Their response is reasonable. How can they leave everyone behind? Who will feed and protect them? Doesn’t God realize how much they have and how vulnerable their people are? God makes two statements in Deuteronomy 3:18-22 that give us an answer. The first is in the parenthetical note of verse 19. God is intimately aware of every individual situation, and even makes a point of acknowledging “I know you have much livestock”. God knows every detail. He won’t lower his expectations, but maintains them despite knowing all the grounds for our excuses to disobey. Secondly, he comforts the tribes by reminding them he is a warrior in verse 22. He fights for us in both the physical and spiritual world. He gives us reasonable commands, and then the faith to move forward with full assurance that he has already been there and cleared the way.