The accused must stay in his city of refuge until the death of the high priest; only after the death of the high priest may he return to his own property. Numbers 35:28
God established cities of refuge for his children to flee to in case they committed crimes they could not atone for, nor be cleared of. They were real events that led to such a desperate flight, yet our Lord knew we would sometimes require a place to hide, heal, and await mercy.
In His omniscience, he prefigured a system whereby only a high priest’s death could atone for and remit the crimes we are helpless to “undo.” Who is the one to do this for us today? To whom was God pointing in this passage of the Torah when he established the cities of refuge? What high priest’s death has freed us from sins we have no means, nor hope of dispensing on our own?
Only Jesus. Simply Jesus. The Torah always points to Jesus. Nothing wrong with that.
Copyright © 2013 Andy Madonio – Patriarchs, Philosophers, & Phlip Phlops
Patriarchs, Philosophers, & Phlip Phlops 