Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
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Numbers
Book: Numbers
Chapter: 35
Overview:
The cities of the Levites.
(1-8) The cities of
Refuge, The
laws about
Murder.
(9-34)
1-8 The cities of the priests and Levites were not only to
accommodate them, but to place them, as religious teachers, in
several parts of the land. For though the typical service of the
Tabernacle or
Temple was only in one place, the preaching of the
Word of God, and
Prayer and praise, were not thus confined.
These cities were to be given out of each
Tribe. Each thus made
a grateful acknowledgement to
God. Each
Tribe had the benefit of
the Levites dwelling amongst them, to teach them the knowledge
of the
Lord; thus
No parts of the country were left to sit in
Darkness. The
Gospel provides that he who is taught in the
Word,
should communicate to him that teaches, in all good things, Ga
6:6. We are to free
God's ministers from distracting cares, and
to leave them at leisure for the duties of their station;
So
that they may be wholly employed therein, and avail themselves
of every opportunity,
By Acts of kindness, to gain the good-will
of the people, and to draw their attention.
9-34 To show plainly the abhorrence of
Murder, and to provide
the more effectually for the
Punishment of the murderer, the
nearest relation of the deceased, under the title of avenger of
Blood,
(or the Redeemer of Blood,) in notorious cases, might
pursue, and execute vengeance. A distinction is made, not
between sudden
Anger and malice aforethought, both which are the
crime of
Murder; but between intentionally striking a
Man with
any weapon likely to cause
Death, and an unintentional blow. In
the latter case alone, the
City of
Refuge afforded protection.
Murder in all its forms, and under all disguises, pollutes a
land. Alas! that
So many murders, under the name of duels,
prize-fights, &c. should pass unpunished. There were six cities
of
Refuge; one or other might be reached in less than a
Day's
Journey from any part of the land. To these,
Man-slayers might
flee for
Refuge, and be safe, till they had a fair trial. If
acquitted from the charge, they were protected from the avenger
of
Blood; yet they must continue within the bounds of the
City
till the
Death of the high
Priest. Thus we are reminded that the
Death of the great High
Priest is the only means whereby sins
are pardoned, and sinners set at liberty. These cities are
plainly alluded to, both in the Old and New
Testament, we cannot
doubt the typical character of their appointment. Turn ye to the
strong
Hold, ye prisoners of
Hope, saith the voice of
Mercy,
Zec 9:12, alluding to the
City of
Refuge. St.
Paul describes
the strong consolation of fleeing for
Refuge to the
Hope set
before us, in a
Passage always applied to the gracious
appointment of the cities of
Refuge, Heb 6:18. The rich
mercies of
Salvation, through
Christ, prefigured
By these
cities, demand our regard. 1. Did the ancient
City rear its
Towers of safety
On high? See
Christ raised up
On the
Cross; and
is he not exalted at the right
Hand of his
Father, to be a
Prince and a
Saviour, to give
Repentance and remission of sins?
2. Does not the
Highway of
Salvation, resemble the smooth and
Plain path to the
City of
Refuge? Survey the path that leads to
the
Redeemer. Is there any stumbling-block to be found therein,
except that which an evil
Heart of unbelief supplies for its own
fall? 3. Waymarks were set up pointing to the
City. And is it
not the office of the ministers of the
Gospel to direct sinners
to Him? 4. The
Gate of the
City stood open night and
Day. Has
not
Christ declared, Him that cometh unto me I will in
No Wise
cast out? 5. The
City of
Refuge afforded support to every one
who entered its walls. Those who have reached the
Refuge, may
live
By Faith On Him whose
Flesh is meat indeed, and whose
Blood
is
Drink indeed. 6. The
City was a
Refuge for all. In the
Gospel
there is
No respect of persons. That soul lives not which
deserves not Divine wrath; that soul lives not which may not in
simple
Faith Hope for
Salvation and
Life eternal, through the
Son of God.