RPG Adults
THE REMEDY FOR MANSLAUGHTER
MONDAY, DECEMBER 18
Joshua 20
1 John 3:13-16
“We know that we have
passed from death unto life,
because we love the brethren…”
THE REMEDY FOR MANSLAUGHTER
God knew that there would be cases of manslaughter. Such deaths would thus be thoroughly investigated and all facts put together and witnesses called in to testify. Eventually, a just judgment would be made. When such an incident occurred, the first thing the offender would do was to flee to one of the cities of refuge. He would then have to follow the prescribed procedure. This was a lesson to Israel in two ways: each person had to not only be careful not to hurt anyone, but also to always take precautions to preserve life. The keeping of the commandment not to kill goes hand in hand with this requirement in the case of manslaughter.
The function of the cities of refuge was that a manslayer could flee to one of these cities, which were to be located proportionally in the whole land of Israel. The manslayer would declare his cause to the elders of that city. The elders would listen very carefully and then certify the case to be on the right course. The man would then be admitted and given a place to stay. He would be given protection from the wrath of the avenger of blood. This was a law that reflected order in civil affairs, which was needed in the new nation. It required immediate attention because the shedding of blood without a righteous cause was a serious offence.
The penalty for the intentional shedding of blood was capital punishment. This was the earliest law that was given long before the time of Moses. God declared thus to Noah: “Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man” (Gen 9:6). God did not only forbid murder, He also declared the sanctity of life. Thus, He put in place laws that would prevent incidences of the loss of life. The sin of murder entered the human race at the Fall of Adam. The first murder occurred in the first family when Cain murdered Abel, his brother. Thus, the current law was given on the basis of those experiences.
THOUGHT: It is necessary to obey God, preserve life and do justice to all parties involved.
PRAYER: Father, may I always be mindful to preserve life.