Pokémon Bubble Gum
In Numbers 35:9–21, God commands Moses to designate six Levitical cities as cities of refuge. These were places where someone who killed another person unintentionally or through negligence could flee to await a fair trial. In ancient Israelite culture, family members had the right to avenge the death of a loved one, but God established a system to ensure justice was properly carried out.
If the congregation determined that the killing was unintentional, the person could remain in the city of refuge until the death of the high priest who presided at the time. Only then could they safely return home. However, if they left the city before the high priest’s death, they were vulnerable to the avenger of blood.
When I was a kid, I went to the local Blockbuster, and while waiting in line, I saw something I really wanted, limited edition Pokémon bubble gum (the first Pokemon movie was just released). I asked my dad if I could have it. He said no, and I started to pout and cry, begging him to let me have it. He kept saying no. I became upset and visibly showed my disappointment that I couldn’t get it.
Unknowingly, I slipped the Pokémon bubble gum into my pocket, and we walked out of the store (the metal detectors didn’t work). I was still upset as my dad drove us home, and when I continued to give him attitude, he told me I needed to stop acting that way. Frustrated, I pulled the bubble gum out of my pocket and showed it to him.
My dad went silent and didn’t respond (you know you’re in real trouble when your parent reacts like that). He went to his room, came back with a pen and paper, and sat me down. He told me I needed to write an apology letter to Blockbuster for stealing.
I was even more upset but angrily complied. I sat down and began to write:
“Dear Blockbuster,
I am sorry that my dad stole this Pokémon bubble gum from you guys. He won’t do it again. Please forgive him and my family.
Sincerely, his disappointed son.”
My dad then took me to the front counter at Blockbuster and told me to hand the letter to the manager. The manager read the note, looked at me, and said, “You know stealing is wrong, right?” I replied, “Yes sir.” He continued, “You also know lying is wrong, right?” I sighed, knowing I was caught, and said I did, and that I was sorry.
My dad then asked how much the Pokémon bubble gum cost, paid for it, and we went home. I was grounded for a few weeks, no cartoons, no video games. Later, my dad told me that while he was disappointed in what I did, he forgave me and that he would always love me. I never stole anything again in my life. I learned a huge lesson that day. You won’t get away with stealing but I also learned that while my dad is a stern father, he is also a gracious and merciful one as well.
Two important truths stand out in this passage. First, it shows us how God's law balances justice and mercy. Like our modern legal system, which distinguishes between degrees of murder, God’s law acknowledges intent and motive while upholding the sanctity of life. Second, it beautifully foreshadows the mercy and grace of Christ. As sinners, often unaware or negligent in our wrongdoing, we sought refuge in Him. Christ, our eternal High Priest, died in our place. And just as the death of the high priest in Numbers brought freedom to the one who fled, so Christ’s death on the cross grants us full pardon and eternal release.
Sometimes we complain that our God is too strict or legalistic but in reality what I see more and more often is that our God is a just God but also a merciful and gracious God.
