1Then the LORD said to Joshua, 2“Tell the Israelites to designate the cities of refuge, as I instructed you through Moses, 3so that anyone who kills another unintentionally or accidentally may flee there. These will be your refuge from the avenger of blood.
“The purpose of the cities of refuge was to protect the slayer who kills any person accidentally or unintentionally. They were to protect someone in the case of manslaughter as opposed to murder.” (Guzik)
“God had a passion to make sure that murderers were punished in ancient Israel, and in that culture, the final responsibility for justice rested with the designated goel (avenger of blood) in the family.” (Guzik)
Rom 13:3-4 NKJV - 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. 4 For he is God's minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God's minister, an avenger to [execute] wrath on him who practices evil.
Num 35:31 NKJV - 31 'Moreover you shall take no ransom for the life of a murderer who [is] guilty of death, but he shall surely be put to death.
Num 35:33-34 NKJV - 33 'So you shall not pollute the land where you [are]; for blood defiles the land, and no atonement can be made for the land, for the blood that is shed on it, except by the blood of him who shed it. 34 'Therefore do not defile the land which you inhabit, in the midst of which I dwell; for I the LORD dwell among the children of Israel.' "
Our land is polluted, “for blood defiles the land”. Our state is considering passing legislation that a minor under 18 years old cannot receive a life sentence for the crime of murder.
In 1984 a friend’s 8 year old daughter was kidnapped and murdered. They caught the man responsible who was convicted and sentenced to death. Through never ending appeals which were filed, some on the daughter’s birthday the execution was delayed for years but finally carried out last June of 2022!
Dear Heavenly Father, I pray for a revival, I pray for justice for those who are victims of violent crimes. I lift up our polluted land and ask that You cleanse it.
In the name of Jesus I pray, amen.
Blessings
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