Select
some towns to be your cities of refuge. (Numbers 35:11)
These
closing chapters of Numbers deal with boundaries to define tribal allotments,
boundaries to protect land from osmosing from one tribe to another, and
boundaries to protect innocent people accused of murder.
People
who think Old Testament laws are harsh must not realize the lengths to which
these statutes go in protecting the accused. Customs often demanded the death
penalty for injuring someone or even simple theft. Biblical laws introduced the
concept that the punishment must fit the crime. An eye for an eye was not
cruel; it was a limit placed on punishment to protect the defendant.
Another
example of these limits is that a person could not be executed on the witness
of only one person. The biblical laws stated that testimony in a capital case
must be corroborated at the very least by a second witness.
Likewise,
cities of refuge were set up to protect people who had accidentally killed
someone. Even though the death may have been accidental, vigilantes would sometimes
hunt down the offender and avenge the wounded. The defendant might be executed
before getting the chance to tell his side of the story.
Harsh?
Maybe not as harsh as some would believe.
Considering
Jesus' admonishment to have compassion on the prisoner (Mt. 25:34-40), should
we be surprised that same compassion would be extended to defendants prior to
conviction?
Is
anyone fearing for his life, or maybe his dignity, while awaiting your verdict?
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