Numbers 35 Commentary
All the 12 tribes get portions of land (on paper for now) apart from the tribe of Levi. 34vs13-28.
Chapter 35 focuses on land allocation to the tribe of Levi. It’s not one large portion like other tribes. Instead, they get towns within tribal allocations – with measured areas around the towns for grazing their animals.
We see the fulfillment of the prophetic utterances of the patriarch Jacob regarding the tribe of Levi.
“Simeon and Levi are brothers. They use their weapons to commit violence. I will not join in their secret talks, nor will I take part in their meetings, for they killed men in anger and they crippled bulls for sport. A curse be on their anger, because it is so fierce, and on their fury, because it is so cruel. I will scatter them throughout the land of Israel. I will disperse them among its people. Genesis 49 verses 5 to 7.
In Genesis 11, we are reminded of the scattering at Shinar (the Tower of Babel). When man gathers to sin, the LORD moves in to scatter.
But God’s grace has repurposed Levi’s scattering. Yes, Levi is scattered but they will serve as priests in Israel. They are given towns in which to settle throughout all the tribal allocations – scattered in Israel.
Even in this chapter, we can see how the LORD provisions for one accused of manslaughter. The cities of refuge foreshadow the cross as a safe haven for the sinner today.
From this position, one is shielded from the consequences of sin.
When the psalmist David sings of the LORD as his refuge, he thinks that the LORD is his safe haven. From this position, David is protected from those who seek his death.
Calvary is like the City of Refuge because the sinner is shielded from punishment. But unlike the City of Refuge, Calvary’s High Priest never dies, so the sinner is permanently shielded. Of course, they both enforce the condition that the sinner must always be confined. Remain in Jesus and the Avenger of Blood never finds you!
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