민수기 Chapter 35

Translation: ESV

2

"Command the people of Israel to give to the Levites some of the inheritance of their possession as cities for them to dwell in. And you shall give to the Levites pasturelands around the cities."

Key Message

It is ideal for God's ministers to be distributed and serving throughout the entire community; faith instruction and guidance must reach every corner of the community.

▸Instead of receiving one independent territory in Canaan, the tribe of Levi receives 48 cities from the lands of each tribe.

Instead of receiving one independent territory in Canaan, the tribe of Levi receives 48 cities from the lands of each tribe. This arrangement has the practical purpose of dispersing the Levites throughout all of Israel to take charge of religious education and ministry. It is a structure in which God's ministers are scattered and serve throughout the entire community.

11

then you shall select cities to be cities of refuge for you, that the manslayer who kills any person without intent may flee there.

Key Message

The cities of refuge are a system in which God's mercy and justice are realized together; they embody the principle of justice that distinguishes between intent and motive.

▸The cities of refuge are a unique legal institution of ancient Israel.

30

"If anyone kills a person, the murderer shall be put to death on the evidence of witnesses. But no person shall be put to death on the testimony of one witness."

Key Message

God values human life highly and has established the principle of ensuring through fair judicial procedure that no innocent person suffers unjustly.

▸The principle that a death sentence cannot be pronounced on the testimony of a single witness is established.