QT 28 Dec 16, Josh 20:1-6, Justice and mercy fully expressed

Joshua 20:1–6 (ESV) — 1 Then the Lord said to Joshua, 2 “Say to the people of Israel, ‘Appoint the cities of refuge, of which I spoke to you through Moses, 3 that the manslayer who strikes any person without intent or unknowingly may flee there. They shall be for you a refuge from the avenger of blood. 4 He shall flee to one of these cities and shall stand at the entrance of the gate of the city and explain his case to the elders of that city. Then they shall take him into the city and give him a place, and he shall remain with them. 5 And if the avenger of blood pursues him, they shall not give up the manslayer into his hand, because he struck his neighbor unknowingly, and did not hate him in the past. 6 And he shall remain in that city until he has stood before the congregation for judgment, until the death of him who is high priest at the time. Then the manslayer may return to his own town and his own home, to the town from which he fled.’ ”

NOTE: The idea of sanctuary cities finds its best expression in the bible. I don't know if the idea originated earlier or in some other culture, but it is used here by God. The purpose of the sanctuary cities is to protect individuals, not groups, who have committed a sin unwillingly or unknowingly (not willingly or with intent). Also, the person must present his case to the elders of the city. They can then bring him into the city. If the avenger of blood pursues him, then the person seeking refuge must stand before the congregation for judgment. It appears that he must both stand for judgment and wait until the death of the High Priest to leave. Implied is the sense that he can still be avenged if he fails to make his case at one of the three points (before the elders of the city, before the congregation and avenger, or leaves prior to the death of the High Priest). The system does not protect an individual from purposeful crime or gives the person a do-over. Ultimately, after all the conditions are met, he can return to his home. Considering how long high Priests live, the parole is pretty lengthy. How does this apply to us? In societal relationships, God establishes justice because God is a God of justice. God also recognizes the need for mercy, but not completely at the expense of responsibility. God never excuses responsibility for actions. Even in our salvation, ultimately the penalty for sin had to be paid, it could not be "just ignored or forgotten." That is why Jesus died in our place for our sins. Only a sinless perfect person could accomplish that. Any good person would still have his own sins to pay. But Jesus reached God's perfect standard because he was God. He suffered humanly and spiritually, as the relationship in the Godhead was broken for the first time in all of eternity. God the father turned away from God the son on the cross, "my God, my God, why have you forsaken me." Justice is important to God and there is still a justice planned for those who refuse to believe in Jesus Christ.