No Rebels Here

In Numbers 35:22–34, we continue reflecting on God’s law of mercy and justice. While intentional murder was to be met with capital punishment, God made a clear distinction for cases where death was caused unintentionally—what we would now call manslaughter. The person responsible was to flee to a city of refuge, where they would remain until their case was judged. If the congregation determined it was not premeditated murder, the person would remain in the city of refuge until the high priest died.

This law served as both protection and penalty, balancing justice with mercy. This was during a time when there were no structured court systems. Without such laws, the cycle of revenge killings could continue endlessly. But in His wisdom, God provided a way to stop the cycle of bloodshed and reflect His justice tempered by mercy.

This passage also reminds us of God’s grace toward unintentional sin. As Romans 3:23 and 5:12 teach, we are all born sinners. Without Christ, our destination was the second death—the lake of fire (Revelation 21:8). Yet, through Jesus’ death and resurrection, God extends mercy to anyone who repents and believes in Him.

Finally, we are reminded to extend mercy to others, especially when wrongs were done unintentionally. 

There was once a king who had suffered greatly at the hands of his rebellious subjects. In his anger, he told his friends, “Every rebel must die.” But one day, the rebels came before the king. They laid down their weapons, fell at his feet, and begged for mercy. Moved with compassion, the king pardoned them all. One of his friends reminded him, “Didn’t you say that every rebel should die?” The king replied, “Yes, but I see no rebels here.”

People may offend or hurt us without realizing it. They may never apologize because they may not know they’ve done anything wrong. And yet, if God forgives us, we too must learn to forgive. Mercy received should become mercy given.