The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1902-10-31


NOTES AND COMMENTS
The Need Of Refnge-In all bar
earous and semicivilized peoples It
has been regarded as the highest duty
of the next of kin to avenge the blood
of one who has been slain. The duty
was not merely vengeance in its low.
est form. but justice or equalization.
No discrimina ton was made. however,
between the murderer by intent and
the slayer By accident. So deep-seat-
ed was the sense Of obligation in this
matter that law prohibiting all pri-
vate taking of life in return for one
slain would have been imperative.
Without expressly prohibiting il, the
establishment Of cities of refuge tend
ed to do away with it.
The Tribal Allotments.-For the
territory assigned to each tribe. see
map. The distribution was made by
lot. and the high priest officiated- Reu-
ben. Cad and the half tribe Of Manas.
sch had already received their inner
itance on the east side of the Jordan,
and. as no land was given 10 the Lee
vites. there were only o.. tribes to be
provided for.
The Cities Of Refuge.-The esta blsh-
ing OF certain cities of refuge is inter-
esting in connection with the sixth
commandment. showing that not sim
ply was the act to be considered. but
the spirit promptingi 1T. The custom Of
"blood-revenge." which has been al
most world wide at certain stages OF
rests on the principle Of
e:5. 81. and. in the absence Of an eff
cient government. the duty Of indi-
viduals 10 protect it. II resembles an
authorized Lynch law. When a man
had been killed among the Hebrews.
II was the duty of his next of kin,
called his "goel," to avence his blood
by slaying the one who had killed
him. This was his duty even when
the killing was accidental: but cities
u refuge were set apart in different
parts Of the country. TO which any
might flee and be safe from
he vengeance of the goel till he had
had fair trial before the elders Of the
fly and congregation. There had TO
,e at least two witnesses TO prove in.
tentional murder (Num. $3.50: Deut.
o:15) ~ the fugitive was convicted
y wilful murder. he was handed over
% the goel. whose right and duty Il
vas to kill him. If the elders decided
hat the relatives death was the re-
iuff % an accident, the goel was not
1lowed 10 touch him. The mansrayer
vas. however. to remain in the city
n refuge till the death of the high
'riest. when he might 60 free IN
sfety. But II the goel found him out
ide OF the city 81 refnge before
he death Of the high priest. he might
egally take his revenge.
III was the Office Of the coel. in gen.
raj. 10 stand up for the rights Of the
amily. In addition to his duty as
venger Of blood. he was On 10 buy
ack and hold in the family the patri-
nony Of his kinsman. when poverty
ad compelled him to sell II. (c) 1t
ras his place to redeem or buy back
be person Of kinsman who had sold
imsels into slavery. For another use
r the word. see job 1925: II know
hat my Redeemer fgoeD iiveth."
PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS
Christ has provided refuge for tbs
for the innocent.
The refuge provided by Christ Is
asily accessible. He is nigh to all who
all upon Him.
Jesus Is the sinners only refuge.
here Il no other name under Heaven
wen whereby we must he saved
The gates Of the cities of refuge
ere always open. The door OF mercy
never shut TO the sinner.