Good morning you guys. Numbers chapter 35.
In essence we see in this chapter that one is innocent until proven guilty. The issue of murder is defined for the Israelites. You have:
- A victim.
- A killer.
- Two or more witnesses.
- Justice.
In a murder case involving witnesses it's easier to identify evidence and get a conviction. We see news on TV of murders all the time. It's easy to think bad of someone who kills another, but Jesus reveals our hearts at times and shows us we are a murderer as well. For Jesus said if we hate someone we are a murderer. Hate is the foundation for taking another's life. It's hard to see the heart of a man. But God judges our heart and not always what is evident on the outside. We think if we hide our sin no one will see our sin and we get away with it. But God looks at our heart and knows our heart and judges our heart. So no matter what, we get his justice.
I'm convinced we need a friend who we can share our inner thoughts with and we can hold each other accountable, challenge and encourage each other to stay focused on the Lord and not be led astray.
Chapter 35 focuses on what to do about murderers and Pastor Blair pointed out how we can’t hide our sin from the Lord. God knows our hearts. Jesus spoke about what defiles a person in Matthew 15:10-20. And He (Jesus) called the people to Him and said to them, “Hear and understand: it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.” Then the disciples came and said to Him, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?” He answered, “Every plant that My heavenly Father has not planted will be rooted up. Let them alone; they are blind guides. And if the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.” But Peter said to Him, “Explain the parable to us.” And He said, “Are you also still without understanding? Do you not see that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the stomach and is expelled? But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. These are what defile a person. But to eat with unwashed hands does not defile anyone.”
It was also somewhat funny to me that in this passage, the disciples were concerned about offending the Pharisees as if that was something that Jesus wouldn’t want to do. Jesus made it real clear how that didn’t matter and that those religious leaders were really blind guides.
We read more about clean hands and pure hearts in Psalm 24:3-6. Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully. He will receive blessing from the Lord and righteousness from the God of his salvation. Such is the generation of those who seek Him, who seek the face of the God of Jacob.
It’s important to note that God wasn’t condoning nor did He create the idea of the avenger. He is simply controlling the reality of that day – similar to when He gave rules for practices like divorce and slavery. God gave them boundaries on customs like that, dealing with them more fully when as the nation grew (see Luke 6:29).
I am reminded that just as the Levites were to be scattered throughout the Promised Land to minister to the nation – that’s exactly what He does with us. He places us in schools as Christian teachers, as Christian salesmen, secretaries, accountants, doctors, factory workers to be examples of what it means to be a believer. Each of us who is serious about Jesus is in ministry. As Sarah mentioned the other day – titles or rank are not the issue. Each of us is surrounded by people a professional pastor may never have an opportunity to reach. Lord, let me recognize and be bold in the part that You have for me right now, right here on this earth for Your glory.
I think it’s interesting that someone who murders can come back after the high priest has died (I hope I’m understanding that correctly) I also notice the fact that there must be 2 witnesses, not just 1. Sometimes in our life we will be in a situation where it’s their word against ours… it’s hard when we know we did the right thing, told the truth, and tried to be the best we could be and have someone question that and go against us. Even back then it was realized it is important to have a fair trial and that more than one witness is necessary. In the end we all know God is our judge of the choices we’ve made and the life we decide to live. I hope we can face that day with fear year excitement, hopeful we will enter through the gates of Heaven. May we each work at living our lives to see our Savior and lead others to see Him as well!