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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 condemnation to them which are in Christ
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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
.