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- Oct 26, 2007
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'And when he flees to one of those cities, and stands at the entrance of the gate of the city, and declares his case in the hearing of the elders of that city, they shall take him into the city as one of them, and give him a place, that he may dwell among them. Joshua 20:4 NKJV
Laws protecting the fugitive have been necessary since Adam and Eve left the Garden of Eden.
These early laws may have been disseminated through the first families or the priesthood of Melchizedek, but eventually principles such as “innocent until proven guilty” showed up in ancient legal codes including Hammurabi’s.
It is clear from the Lord’s words to Joshua that God wanted the innocent fugitive to be welcomed, that He wanted His people to learn the law of love.
It is the law the psalmist wrote about, “Give your love of justice to the king, O God, and righteousness to the king’s son. Help him judge your people in the right way” (Psalm 72:1-2 NLT).
It is the law Jesus talked about in the parable of the lost sheep: “In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away!” (Luke 15:7 NLT).
This is the law of love: a legal code more concerned about welcoming the repentant fugitive than getting revenge. Is it easy for you to offer refuge when you’ve been wronged by a colleague, family member, or friend?
Prayer: Lord, teach me to welcome those who need forgiveness, to operate from the law of love.
Laws protecting the fugitive have been necessary since Adam and Eve left the Garden of Eden.
These early laws may have been disseminated through the first families or the priesthood of Melchizedek, but eventually principles such as “innocent until proven guilty” showed up in ancient legal codes including Hammurabi’s.
It is clear from the Lord’s words to Joshua that God wanted the innocent fugitive to be welcomed, that He wanted His people to learn the law of love.
It is the law the psalmist wrote about, “Give your love of justice to the king, O God, and righteousness to the king’s son. Help him judge your people in the right way” (Psalm 72:1-2 NLT).
It is the law Jesus talked about in the parable of the lost sheep: “In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away!” (Luke 15:7 NLT).
This is the law of love: a legal code more concerned about welcoming the repentant fugitive than getting revenge. Is it easy for you to offer refuge when you’ve been wronged by a colleague, family member, or friend?
Prayer: Lord, teach me to welcome those who need forgiveness, to operate from the law of love.
